Plenty Of 2019 Room For Jameis’ Contract
April 17th, 2018
Jason Licht has no reason to stress
Yes, a new fan freakout is in the air.
The Bucs made their expected move today prior to a May league deadline, executing their fifth-year contract option on Jameis Winston. And (too) many fans are wondering how the team will fit that $21 million or so under the 2019 salary cap.
Relax.
First, worry is premature. America’s Quarterback has to make the 2019 roster to earn the money, though that fifth year is guaranteed for injury. No, Joe is not being a wise ass. Jameis should be worthy of being a starter next season, but reality says if the Bucs fail this year, then a new head coach/general manager might have other plans at QB.
But the main reason not to worry about the cap is the Bucs have plenty of big contracts on the books that could be cut wisely and comfortably, and without penalty.
Take J.R. Sweezy, Mitch Unrein, Vinny Curry and Demar Dotson, for example. That 30-and-over (in 2019) crew is all under contract for next season with a salary cap value just about equal to what will be owed Jameis. So the Bucs would not have to gut the roster to pay Jameis in 2019.
The team might even decide to extend Jameis’ contract and subsequently lower his 2019 cap charge through that accounting. But there are many other scenarios. Brent Grimes won’t play forever, and next year could see Chris Godwin, who earns peanuts, replace DeSean Jackson’s eight-figure salary.
New Orleans, Atlanta and Carolina are powerhouse teams with expensive quarterbacks. A market-value contract for Jameis certainly shouldn’t cripple the Bucs in a league whose salary cap rises significantly each year.
April 17th, 2018 at 2:12 pm
I Sure wish Licht would “make room” for a couple of FA CB’s!
April 17th, 2018 at 2:12 pm
and EVEN more room when the bucs give his REAL extension, AND BONUS, midseason. tons of options
April 17th, 2018 at 2:13 pm
I don’t think he’s earned a 20+ million dollar contract just yet…but wtfdik
April 17th, 2018 at 2:23 pm
I think it is also the other’s that will be up as well, DS76, AM74, and KA58 that will be due for big contracts!!!!! Some choices are going to have to be made next year!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!
April 17th, 2018 at 2:23 pm
Licht has done contracts in a way that he front loaded them so salaries decrease – for example Sweezy, Gholston, Mike Evans, all have salaries that go down. Give Licht credit for taking hits up front in order to free up money later. Also players like Brate, his deal is basically a one year deal with no guaranteed money after that, so if OJ steps up and is the star most think he will be, the Bucs could cut ties to Brate with no impact.
Also to the dipspits that don’t think he’s earned the money… reminder, Glennon got $15m. Sam Bradford who can’t stay healthy for more than 2 games a season got $20m.
April 17th, 2018 at 2:35 pm
I would rather send him free than paying that money….he is good, but not a 20mm area QB, ridiculous!!!!! Thats the type of decions that can get you in trouble!!!! In order to pay him tha money he should have a sensational season!!!!
April 17th, 2018 at 2:36 pm
New Orleans, Atlanta and Carolina are powerhouse teams with expensive quarterbacks
_________________________
They have all also jockeyed back and forth for the division crown and playoffs spots while Winston is only the 4th best QB in our division with a 3 year losing record. Market value does not mean elite money. 21 million or more seems egregiously high for a QB who’s body of work has been average to this point so far. Will this huge raise make a difference in how he plays? Whatever happened to prove it first before the reward?
I hope Jameis can deliver now that he’s got paid.
April 17th, 2018 at 2:40 pm
@zzbuc
its 21 for the extension, and when they resign him, it will be in the 25 million a year with north of 45 million guaranteed!!!!!!!!! That is the market for QB’s and to keep them off the market!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!
April 17th, 2018 at 2:55 pm
Hilarious that people think $20 mill is too much when guys like Glennon and Osweiler got close to that on the open market; and are literally not 1/3 as good or as valuable as a guy like Winston.
April 17th, 2018 at 2:56 pm
This is a smart move on the Bucs par. It is purely symbolic, with no endorsement of Winston on or off the field. A long term, guaranteed extension would have shown front office and ownership confidence in Winston. The options are ALL with the Bucs. IF Winston performs AND stays clean off the field the Bucs basically just paid a 1 year franchise tag for a QB with the right and ability to sign him to a long term deal later. IF not they can cut and run and owe Winston nothing after 2018. REALLY smart move by Licht, it keeps our options open. As Pat Kirwan so accurately said about Winston,”do you really want to drop a long term contract on that guy?”. I am glad to see the Bucs doing the SMART thing rather than listening to the posters on this site. QUE the homer haters in 3,2,1…
April 17th, 2018 at 2:56 pm
Signing Winston to 5th year option was right call.
I am hearing Booger McFarland is in top 2 to get MNF job to replace Gruden. Back to back Tampa Buc Alum in the MNF booth?? Who would have guessed that?
April 17th, 2018 at 3:04 pm
Booger…tells it like it is !….but MNF is way past my bed time…
April 17th, 2018 at 3:09 pm
@donuts … “Signing Winston to 5th year option was right call.” Absolutely the right call donuts. It’s already a ‘make-it-or-break-it’ year for Licht, Dirk & Smitty IMO, so Jameis & all of them need to step up big-time. We’ve still got a LOT of holes to fill, but with a good draft I think the Glazer Boyz will be expecting a winning season (or at the very least a hard-fought 8-8 season) … even though they say that’s not the end-all, be-all. Give Jameis a stronger OLine, a better RB, a better defense (and no suspensions) and there’s no reason the Bucs shouldn’t have a winning record this year.
April 17th, 2018 at 3:15 pm
This is a smart move…Jameis will be given every chance to prove he deserves the Big One….
April 17th, 2018 at 3:17 pm
Lord Cornelius, that’s the typical “bad” decision I am talking about, the Osweliers, the glennon’s and so on.
I have no problem to pay that amount of money to a QB that delivers constantly. Again if he has a very good season, and I am optimistic that we can have if we can get a good running game and injuries dont kill us I would love to pay him that amount of money…….
Remember we have Kwon, Ali Marpet also with expiring contracts!!!!
April 17th, 2018 at 3:22 pm
zz
agreed on “typical bad decision”.. And for me, if Kwon doesn’t get it together and learn how to tackle, he can go…..
Time to walk the walk, talk time is over (or should be)
April 17th, 2018 at 3:28 pm
@ lord c
Thats because they are dumb butt hurt mariotta jock sniffers. If you ask these yahoos if Mariotta should get that kind of money they would say yes even though he has been injury prone and threw 12 tds and 15 ints just last year. IDIOTS
April 17th, 2018 at 3:29 pm
As Tmax says, “Fear losing not the salary cap.”
April 17th, 2018 at 3:31 pm
LC
I agree…..sorry QB’s are getting paid…..Winston has a higher upside than both and has accomplished a lot more than both…..wise move indeed…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!…..GO BUCS!!!!!
April 17th, 2018 at 3:36 pm
I you all are crazy if you think Winston isn’t the QB long term an Licht will be here as well An so will Dirk we will be fine this year sweezy will be gone after June 1st that. 6.5 Djack will not be back at his same price that is 10 mill those 2 players is 16.5 the cap will go up another 15-20 mill next season we have great cap ppl in place Winston is going to show all y’all haters this year just get him a Running Back for once can’t wait GoBUCS go Winston
April 17th, 2018 at 3:39 pm
ILL take Winston all day you all must not remember the freeman days or Josh McCown I’ll take Winston as is all day An he will get better
April 17th, 2018 at 3:39 pm
but reality says if the Bucs fail this year, then a new head coach/general manager might have other plans at QB.
if the bucs fail, that’s on the coaches not Winston…..theres not a QB in the upcoming drafts that are Winston than Winston and teams don’t let good QB’s walk out the door…..
if the bucs/glazers want to win, they’ll keep Winston and send this staff packing…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
April 17th, 2018 at 3:44 pm
^^^…that is prejudiced….
April 17th, 2018 at 3:46 pm
Winston at worst is a top 16 QB in this league. At least imo. Most stats back that up… On a decent team he’d be winning more often than losing. But he basically came to the Cleveland Browns when he was drafted.
The 17th highest paid QB in 2018 will be making an average of $20 mill per year…
Guys getting paid more than Winston in 2018:
Joe Flacco – been absolutely terrible for years now
Jimmy Garapoolo – hasn’t even played a full season
Eli Manning – has been absolutely terrible for years now
Sam Bradford – are you f*cking kidding me?
So yeah. I don’t think it’s a dumb deal at all; and they have flexibility going forward to get out of it anyway lol.
Fans should either A) stop caring about the cap or B) if you care – do a lot more research
April 17th, 2018 at 3:46 pm
Those guys are getting more than Winston’s 2019 salary I mean. If using 2018 then it’s every starting QB not on a rookie deal lol
April 17th, 2018 at 3:47 pm
People will all ways hate Winston. We can go win the super bowl and he will not get credit for wining. Then they will give it to defense or running game. So I like the move.
April 17th, 2018 at 4:08 pm
Sam Bradford – are you f*cking kidding me?
LC…..you aint lying about that….lol….If I were playing, I’d dump my agent and get sam’s…..this man get paid top dollar for being injured…..lol….I can only image what he would get if he won 8 or 9games…..
flacco and eli had their defense carry them to the SB….they made plays no doubt about it but they’ve been exposed in recent years…..
fans need to follow plan A………that’s why licht gets paid the big bucks…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
April 17th, 2018 at 4:13 pm
Is 93’s 2019 money guaranteed?
April 17th, 2018 at 4:20 pm
Just checked and it appears not!
April 17th, 2018 at 4:30 pm
Hopefully he will get a huge contract, which means the Bucs had a great 2018 season, likely including a playoff run.
April 17th, 2018 at 4:38 pm
Spot on Lord Cornelius!
April 17th, 2018 at 4:45 pm
Agree with Rod and Lord C.
20 million for an NFL QB is now average for a starting QB…and that’s in 2018 we’re talking 2019 when those numbers will surely rise.
There is every reason to believe that Jameis will be paid less than average in 2019. Not to worry for Jameis…if he plays as we believe he will then that contract becomes small potatoes.
I do not fault any poster who isn’t up on what is “average” for QB’s or any position in the NFL. The money has simply gotten crazy for all involved and it goes up so fast it can be hard to keep up.
Read Lord C and Luv and people who keep track…or just google Spotrac.
April 17th, 2018 at 5:29 pm
I think this will be a good test for Winston mentally in regards to handling the pressure that comes with a 20M contract. Its a prove it year and the extra cash will be a good factor for the bigger contract that lies ahead with a good season (post season).
Since we always compare these Winston/Mariota, Mariota is getting his option ($23M) picked up too…should be done by Friday. He had a pretty bad season but the Titans did make the playoffs so…..
Keep in mind the NFL cap is rising annually…I dont sweat this team fitting under the cap…ever. Kwon, Marpet etc… As Brooks says, if they want you they will find a way.
Joe-
Can you ask Winston to take a picture? We want to know what a 21 million dollar smile looks like. We have not seen one around here in a while :))
Go Bucs!
April 17th, 2018 at 6:01 pm
Wellwe will see how he performs now cause he has been trash up to date
April 17th, 2018 at 6:03 pm
Sounds to me like an inside source has told Glazer inc. that the uber investigation is dead in the water.
April 17th, 2018 at 6:05 pm
Very likely DJax aint coming back. There’s some money.
Sorry McCoy lover but look at his sack numbers and they are trending down down down. This isn’t a coincidence he had his worst season in 2017. He’s getting old and not worth the cash we pay him.
Good chance Grimes retires. There’s another 8 figures.
If we keep drafting well money is no issue.
April 17th, 2018 at 6:06 pm
Lord Cornelius Says: Fans should either A) stop caring about the cap or B) if you care – do a lot more research
C) go back to bashing #93…..even if the article is unrelated
D) lament that player _________ was not signed in free agency
E) protest that player _________ was not drafted
April 17th, 2018 at 6:23 pm
Here is the best news of all. Yeah we still have all those questions but at least this year 813 will get his wish and there will be no excuses.
Question 1.) Is Jameis as good as we believe. This year should tell.
Question 2.) Is our coaching good, adequate or inadequate. This year should tell.
Question 3.) Will GMC actually benefit from having a bona fide DE playing with him? This is the year GMC has to put up or shut up.
Question 4.) Can Licht finish off his creation with a great draft and a team that makes the playoffs. This year will tell.
BTW I understand all the unhappy posters here. 5-11 will do that. What I do not understand is how many have already answered those questions before the season even starts. The Glazers have given Koetter and Smitty another year.
It’s time to deal with it. Last year is over. It’s 2018!!!
April 17th, 2018 at 7:13 pm
@Joe
so the theory is that if you have an expensive QB you will win.
But as St. Pete Bucs fan says 2017 is over and to look forward. I can buy that. I also would have the Glazers private jet in Denver to pick up that washed up running back.
But I’m still an in the trenches guy who believes that it is the only way to get the best out of JW. I would much rather have an average QB and the best O and D line in football.
April 17th, 2018 at 7:28 pm
When the Bucs make the playoffs this year. Everyone will be all the sudden praying we re sign Winston to a extension. But seriously, JW is BY FAR BEST QB WE HAVE EVER HAD and is still a pup. Easy choice to lock him up and continue to build around him. Who the hell wants to go QB hunting every year, wishing we find one who will stick, we found one Winston ! Go Bucs !!!
April 17th, 2018 at 8:59 pm
Where’s Marcus
April 17th, 2018 at 10:53 pm
In 3 seasons he has two very bad seasons and one decent one. So far he puts up good passing yards but very few points, few points equals many losses. Id be curious to know how many of those yards came from games where we were down by 10 points or more, 14 points, 21 points? Point is if they were getting blown out he was probably facing softer bend dont brake defenses at that point. Maybe he isnt just a “slow starter” as people often say. The previous year they said all we need is weapons for Winston so we get him DeSean Jackson, Godwin, and the best TE in the draft OJ Top 5 talent wise Howard They have him weapons at nearly every position minus a good ground game yet still couldn’t average more than 20 points a game. He is below average in the red zone despite having 3 targets 6’5 or taller. who else has 3 starters on offense that tall that can actually ball out? Instead we see countless overthrows and underthows. Let’s not forget he has a tendency to turn the ball over whether it be an interception or a fumble. So how is it possible that a 35 year old journeyman QB who we all know is average at best win more games than America’s quarterback Jamie’s Winston? Draft a QB and trade him for picks! He’s damaged goods,trouble will always be around him as it has since college.
April 18th, 2018 at 12:55 am
I sure hope we have a winning record, and no, 8 – 8 is not. There will be a lot of crow eating if we don’t. Winston has a bevy of offensive tools at his disposal so we should be able to score on practically every drive and not squander our opportunities with sloppy attempts keeping our opponents close. We should want to mercy rule them every game. Winston needs to play better with total command of his playbook, master the deep ball accuracy, read defenses on the fly, make strategic audibles, don’t telegraph passes, and go through and recognize progressions quicker. …Spread the wealth. If he comes out and plays to dominate the offensive side of the ball then I think whatever shortcomings we have on defense want be so magnified. Cause even the best defenses will give up scores but it’s the really good offenses that dominate the time of possession, and win games.
April 18th, 2018 at 6:17 am
Joe, are the Bucs on the hook to pay him for games he misses due to suspension? Just curious.
April 18th, 2018 at 7:01 am
Typically, you lose your part of the weekly game check if you are suspended. There is NFL math behind the amount taken. I know the math considers the length of the suspension, players suspension history, and reason. Suspensions can also remove players bonuses.