Bucs Break The Bank, Re-Sign Jamel Dean
March 13th, 2023
UPDATED 5:25 p.m. – It seems the Bucs are destined to have the most expensive secondary in the history of the National Football League.
A report from NFL Network says pending free agent cornerback Jamel Dean was re-signed today to a four-year, $52 million contract. That’s $13 million annually. No. 1 Bucs cornerback Carlton Davis earns about $15 million per year, and Pro Bowl safety Antoine Winfield is gearing up for a monster contract in 2024.
Bringing back Dean has been a split decision among fans and at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters.
One Joe is considering getting wildly drunk this afternoon and evening on The Strip in Las Vegas after hearing this news, believing it’s common sense to keep a 26-year-old cornerback coming off maybe his best season. And that Joe thinks Jason Licht just won free agency.
The other Joe is frustrated by the signing and prefers limited available resources be invested into the trenches — pass rush, pass rush, pass rush.
The Dean deal is an even more intriguing call in a year with a draft class considered to be loaded with cornerbacks. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said at the NFL Scouting Combine that there are 10 stud corners available in the first two rounds.
Regardless, Dean is a strong player, not great, and he’ll be around for a while to help keep the Bucs’ pass defense a team strength.
Now the Bucs seem more poised to beef up their edge rush in the draft next month.
Congrats, Jamel. You earned it.
March 13th, 2023 at 5:16 pm
Great Deal!
March 13th, 2023 at 5:17 pm
Thanks a good price tag tbh… Especially for being out in the open market. Win win for everyone.
March 13th, 2023 at 5:18 pm
Congrats Mr. Dean.
Don’t go getting soft on us now.
March 13th, 2023 at 5:19 pm
So we’ve completely messed up the 2024 salary cap now, too ? Sheesh. This team better be ballhawks in about 6 months.
BTW, we’ll probably have to let either David or Barrett go, now, just to pay for this.
March 13th, 2023 at 5:19 pm
Hard pass…team should be drafting DB’s not overpaying average on field performance
March 13th, 2023 at 5:20 pm
Did not see this coming .. nice job Jason L
March 13th, 2023 at 5:20 pm
Now we’ll have TWO highly paid corners who can’t catch the ball!
March 13th, 2023 at 5:22 pm
Smart teams double and triple down on their strengths
March 13th, 2023 at 5:25 pm
Any teams that lets their young and promising players escape usually end up overpaying old and worn-out players. Good job Licht.
March 13th, 2023 at 5:26 pm
10 stud cornerbacks have never come out of the first two rounds of a draft… never
March 13th, 2023 at 5:26 pm
I am fine with resigning Dean. We can focus on the lines in the draft. I hope that kid from GA falls cause that would be a steal.
March 13th, 2023 at 5:27 pm
I’m mixed in this. It will be nice for him back but I hate that we have the leagues highest paid CB duo when they are ok while Miami has 2 of the best for cheaper. It will be good for him to stay but I thought we could have drafted
March 13th, 2023 at 5:27 pm
A good deal that should age well. Young & talented…probably one of the few logical keepers.
March 13th, 2023 at 5:27 pm
Not a fan of this at all – pash rush is far more important and could have replaced him in the draft very easily
March 13th, 2023 at 5:28 pm
F Yea!
Happy this guy is returning!
March 13th, 2023 at 5:28 pm
It’s not our money.
Dean re-signing is a pleasant surprise. Great job!
March 13th, 2023 at 5:31 pm
I’m most concerned about how much is guaranteed. Getting chained to injury prone players is not a formula for success.I assume this year will be delivered as a bonus payment to spread out, and hopefully keep his 2023 number at about 5 million.
March 13th, 2023 at 5:31 pm
I do like Jamil Dean. He’s got a good size in speed. I agree with Joe though that a team should be built from the trenches. We took a major hit on defensive line. And in case you haven’t noticed, we have no left tackle. Left guard position is horrible. And just gave up our right guard. Why would a quarterback wanna come here and get killed?
March 13th, 2023 at 5:32 pm
Maybe they trade him?
March 13th, 2023 at 5:33 pm
So does this mean SMB is not coming back (because I doubt we could re-sign them both) ? Also, does this mean David is not being re-signed ? Gholston ? Nassib ? Nelson ?
March 13th, 2023 at 5:33 pm
I dont say Dean is a bad player but it is not a top player either.
I believe if the team can find some salary cap room it would be better to draft a CB in the first 2 rounds and invest that money in pass rush,
I dont understand the plan. I would prefer if we treat this year as an opportunity to clear the books and start building a long lasting future team.
We sacrifised the future the last 3 years, dont continue on that road.
Its time to start building for the next 10 to 15 years and not prolong mediocrity
March 13th, 2023 at 5:35 pm
Sign Bunting and then trade Carlton for some pics. After that, sign David and we’re good to go!
March 13th, 2023 at 5:35 pm
Insiders believed that Dean could have gotten as much as 18 Mil per year. I think it is a fair price to pay Dean 13 Mil.
March 13th, 2023 at 5:36 pm
I’m a little surprised by this move.
I’m not surprised the Bucs wanted to bring him back – I’m surprised that J. Dean wasn’t able to fetch more than $13M per season from another team.
The CB market may be soft because of the DB talent in this draft… Most people thought Dean was going to get $15-18M per season…
March 13th, 2023 at 5:37 pm
Considering the Bucs’ record drafting DEs, I’d say focus elsewhere with the draft.
March 13th, 2023 at 5:41 pm
I don’t see 13 a year breaking the bank . Imo I think bucs got a deal with him as long as he stays healthy. Puts him at 13th-highest paid among cornerbacks with Carlton Davis at No. 11. Most expensive No. 2 cornerback for sure.–Joe
March 13th, 2023 at 5:42 pm
With Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean solidifying our cornerback position, we can now direct our premium draft picks towards addressing other pressing areas on our team.
Even though we can still add either Deonte Banks or Brian Branch at Slot.
March 13th, 2023 at 5:43 pm
Offensive Tackle, Edge Rusher and QB (for Trask competition) in the draft
March 13th, 2023 at 5:43 pm
At least they got him at a good price now get David back.
March 13th, 2023 at 5:45 pm
I also expected him to get more.. I’m almost sure any similar corner out there will get more and the market will only get higher in coming years.. seems like decent value…
March 13th, 2023 at 5:51 pm
JTS and Logan Hall better step up their game this year. These corners are making alot of money for a couple guys that rarely ever take the ball away.
March 13th, 2023 at 5:53 pm
Good news.
March 13th, 2023 at 6:01 pm
So when will he play hard for his next contract?
March 13th, 2023 at 6:01 pm
Yeah cuz the draft is always a sure thing so
March 13th, 2023 at 6:03 pm
Short term pain for long term gain although his durability issues make it a risky signing. Personally I wouldn’t of taken that risk.
March 13th, 2023 at 6:08 pm
Far better use of money than breaking the bank on washed up QB’s.
March 13th, 2023 at 6:09 pm
Interesting move.
A little more than I’d have expected, but you also have to keep in mind that the salary cap rockets up next year, so on a multiple year deal you’re paying for that. Will have to see how the deal is structured, but I assume it puts very little hit on this years cap.
Also, I wonder if this is, in fact, a cost saving move. Could the team now try to trade Davis? I doubt it, but you only have Davis for 2-more years, and he’s only going to get more expensive – he’s one of your few pieces that has some trade value as he’s a legit #1 corner.
But the Joe that is worried about the pass rush is correct. As Dungy said, you build you defense from the front to the back. With that said, if Vita drops some blubber and is more than a part time player, that helps you big time. Then if Shaq is back and healthy, that helps you big time. Finally, if you actually use White correctly, as a full time interior pass rusher, that would be gigantic as I think he’s the best pass rusher on the team (he stinks in coverage). Then, who knows, if Logan Hall develops, if JTS does anything, well, suddenly you’re not looking that bad on defense. But that’s a lot of if’s.
March 13th, 2023 at 6:10 pm
Things are looking better everyday. I’m glad the Bucs found Dean some money.
March 13th, 2023 at 6:11 pm
Hope he doesn’t turn to ‘toast’ 2.
March 13th, 2023 at 6:11 pm
So stupid… Could’ve drafted someone and used that money on other parts of the defense. Are they trying to tank?
March 13th, 2023 at 6:14 pm
26 million guaranteed. He better play his ass off.
March 13th, 2023 at 6:17 pm
$13 mil per isn’t bad, and I’ll bet a lot of it is back-loaded
March 13th, 2023 at 6:19 pm
any news on SMB? that dislocated elbow was a bear to get over, I think it had a mental
effect last year too.
March 13th, 2023 at 6:19 pm
Happy to have Jamel back and at a much better than expected price. Also love that it’s a 4-year contract. Of course, it’ll be very interesting to see HOW it’s written. Expecting that there’ll be a relatively small CAP hit in 2023, a bigger one in 2024, then the 2 biggest hits coming in 2025 & 2026.
Also wondering what this portends for Carlton Davis when his contract ends after the 2024 season (potential out after the 2023 season). Jamel at least got 30 games in the past 2 seasons; Carlton only got 23. Big difference when you’re talking the kind of money they make.
March 13th, 2023 at 6:20 pm
Potential Line Up
LCB Jamel Dean
RCB Carlton Davis
SCB Deonte Banks
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
SS Sydney Brown
Or
LCB Jamel Dean
RCB Carlton Davis
SCB Brian Brank
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
SS Sydney Brown
March 13th, 2023 at 6:20 pm
The Athletic says, ‘He turned down more money elsewhere to stay, including one deal worth up to $14.5 million annually.’
Probably true, I mean if the Bucs could afford to spent $13m, he likely could have got gotten more money elsewhere, although that lack of a state income tax might have made up the difference. But that actually says the first thing I’ve heard about Bowles yet, that someone actually would want to play for him. Well, assuming he didn’t resign after Licht assured him that Bowles is going to be fired after 2023, but I doubt that happened.
March 13th, 2023 at 6:21 pm
SCB Brian Branch
March 13th, 2023 at 6:23 pm
Trade Devin white!
March 13th, 2023 at 6:24 pm
Rod Munch … ‘Interesting move.’
Yes it is Rod. I noticed in your analysis that you used the work ‘IF’ a whole bunch of times when speaking about Vea, Shaq, White, Hall, JTS.
I’m wondering now IF any of those will be as impactful in 2023 as you’re HOPING.
March 13th, 2023 at 6:25 pm
Length and speed is a hard combo to find at CB.
Dean’s #s are impressive. Better than most realize in fact.
Dude is a young, top 10 CB who is just starting to reach his full potential in the last year or so under Bowles’ tutelage…
You don’t let that go – especially when the player wants to stay and to prove it signs a contract that is several Million under market value!
Good job Jason Licht.
Jamel – we are super glad to have you back in the fold for years to come.
March 13th, 2023 at 6:27 pm
If there was, you’d know about it. Joe doesn’t believe in holding back news, especially this time of the year.
March 13th, 2023 at 6:29 pm
Defense Rules – Well I ended that by pointing out that I said ‘if’ a lot – by pointing that out, I was implying I’m highly skeptical all those things will happen. But if they all did happen, you could actually have a good defense in 2023. But as Dungy said, you build front to back, and right now, you only got 2 healthy, legit, NFL starters in your front 7 (Vita and White). IF Shaq is healthy and returns at full speed, now you’re at 3. IF Hall is any good in year 2, now you’re at 4. IF JTS levels up this offseason, you’re at 5. IF you re-sign David, you’re at 6. That still leaves you a guy short, but you can live with one spot of substandard play, but not 5.
March 13th, 2023 at 6:30 pm
Just wondering if our former All-World tackle, Durable Donnie has been snatched up yet?
I heard he wasn’t gonna be a FA very long……
March 13th, 2023 at 6:32 pm
I heard an interview with Harbaugh. He also said that it was a deep offensive line group and a deep wide receiver group.
March 13th, 2023 at 6:34 pm
If there’s really ten stud corners they’ll all go in the first round
March 13th, 2023 at 6:40 pm
I knew it and said it all along. He was priority #1. No doubts there. Anybody that assumed he was leaving just had the proof you needed to see you know nothing about football and this team. Easily a top 10 CB in the league.
Meanwhile the Falcons re-signed a guard for $20 m a season. That was one of the worst signings in history. How many titles of any type has Quinton Nelson won again? Falcons will suck for years for this mistake.
March 13th, 2023 at 6:55 pm
Rod … Too many IFs. Yes you MIGHT be able to live weak link, but 2 or 3? Nah. We’ve both seen QBs go after the same ‘substandard’ player time after time after time. That forces the DC to compensate elsewhere, then the dam bursts.
March 13th, 2023 at 6:59 pm
Yessss
March 13th, 2023 at 6:59 pm
I’m reading up on what the national media was saying about Dean, and once again, I was much closer to being right than those idiots.
I thought he’d get a deal closer to $12m than what those dummies were saying, which was that he’d get more than $16m. I got it right, not only using Price is Right rules, but also in terms of being closer. One thing, I see everywhere, is that people were projecting him as a #1 corner. I just don’t see that, and he didn’t get #1 money.
I will, say, however, a lot of people make a good argument about how Dean might still become a #1, in that he has the size and speed you need, and due to injuries in college and early on, plus splitting playing time with SMB, he’s still an improving player who hasn’t reached his peak.
But everywhere I see, they seemed shocked he took such a low-end deal. But, it’s only low-end compared to their BS inflated numbers.
March 13th, 2023 at 6:59 pm
The draft is also deep at dl and oline, maybe the Bucs will go that route rather than free agency.
March 13th, 2023 at 7:04 pm
This should change nothing about the draft. You need at least three ‘starting’ corners. Of course, however, Davis and Dean were both NOT first round picks, and the general rule of thumb is that you can always find corners in the 2nd and 3rd rounds – but you rarely find defensive lineman and quarters in those rounds.
March 13th, 2023 at 7:05 pm
Anybody saying trade Carlton Davis is a goof that either doesn’t actually watch the games or never watches any other teams play. The only other players on this defense that are even remotely in his league talent/skill-wise are LVD and Winfield. Dean took a large leap forward in his walk season. Earned every penny.
March 13th, 2023 at 7:08 pm
Drinking Joe, enjoy your celebration and be sure to take an uber home.
I
In the trenches Joe, now that CB is out of the way, Bucs can safely concentrate on the trenches in this year’s draft. Other than perhaps a safety and dare I say it, a kicker,
Bucs have no needs at WR (Evans, Godwin, Gage, Thompson and whomever wins 5th spot)
CB has Davis, Dean, McCollum and whoever wins 4th CB
RB has White and Sneak and maybe one low end FA.
QB will be a couple oflow end free agents like Minshew, Brissett, do you give Carson Wentz a shot? Mayfield may want too many dubloons.
March 13th, 2023 at 7:13 pm
I would rather have SMB than Davis. I would trade Davis, stick with a cheaper SMB, and draft another CB.
March 13th, 2023 at 7:24 pm
You draft guys, develop them, and sign them.
Letting Dean walk would have been a mistake. I love this signing.
March 13th, 2023 at 7:27 pm
Never thought they’d do it. IMO Dean is the better overall corner, or will be in a couple years. Congrats Mr Dean. Must’ve been more money out there for him. Apparently he likes it here. It is a lot of cap space and real money tied to two players. Dont know if this is an indication of things to come.
March 13th, 2023 at 7:31 pm
Defense Rules Says: Too many IFs. Yes you MIGHT be able to live weak link, but 2 or 3? Nah. We’ve both seen QBs go after the same ‘substandard’ player time after time after time. That forces the DC to compensate elsewhere, then the dam bursts.
———
Completely agree with you. I mean it was one weak link that tanked the 2003 Bucs defense. Once Brian Kelly got hurt, and after losing Dexter Jackson in free agency and having to move Dwight Smith to safety, the Bucs had ZERO depth at corner. In that MNF vs the Colts, Kelly gets injured in the 2nd half, and Manning just picks on the replacement over and over and over again, leading to that huge comeback. One chink in the armor, and even an all-time great defense can fall apart (although falling apart meant they went from the all-time best pass defense ever to merely being a top 3 pass defense and Gruden’s crappy offense couldn’t overcome that).
That’s why the Bucs should be in full tank mode, unless they have some plan at QB and pull a rabbit out of the hat.
But keeping Dean is great news. It means, perhaps, we stop seeing the Bucs taking a corner the 1st round of every mock draft, and you lock up a guy in his prime years, and hopefully he’s still playing when the team returns to winning.
Also, if you are in full tank mode, you can use this move as a way to trade Davis. Even if you don’t do it now, if you start out the year 0-6 (or whenever the trade deadline is), Davis would probably have a lot of value, more so than now.
March 13th, 2023 at 7:32 pm
Alright. It’s done. Not sure how they got the cap room. Is the wallet now empty?
March 13th, 2023 at 7:36 pm
The draft needs to be heavy on the trenches
March 13th, 2023 at 7:39 pm
Glad we can continue with the tradition of this secondary’s ‘communication issues’
March 13th, 2023 at 7:45 pm
ModHairKen Says:
March 13th, 2023 at 7:32 pm
Alright. It’s done. Not sure how they got the cap room. Is the wallet now empty?
———
It’s probably using signing bonuses and void years. From what I’ve read, it’s speculated the deal probably cost about $4.5m towards this years cap.
Looking at their remaining, possible moves, I’d guess that Shaq Mason is in fact gone (I hate that move), that gives you $4.5, so basically offsetting this deal. If the estimates are correct, that puts you just under the cap, by about $2m.
March 13th, 2023 at 7:47 pm
Rod … I had season tickets all those years and was at 38-35 disaster. Funny thing was that we were up 35-14 with only 5 minutes to go & almost left to beat the traffic out of the stadium. For some reason though, decided to stay to the bitter end. And yes, it was a bitter end. Hat tip to Manning though; he hung in there.
March 13th, 2023 at 7:51 pm
I’m shocked, but glad they prioritized defense over bringing in a QB retread.
March 13th, 2023 at 7:55 pm
We got a bailout. Go for broke and sign up anyone we want.
March 13th, 2023 at 7:59 pm
Can Britt replace LD?
March 13th, 2023 at 8:04 pm
@Rod they Bucs are currently 2.1M under the cap without release Brate or Fournette yet, without details on Dean’s deal those should offset him, then if they move Mason that would give them more room.
March 13th, 2023 at 8:15 pm
Now sign Norm Van Brocklin and Sid Luckman.
March 13th, 2023 at 8:18 pm
Britt couldn’t replace Barrett Ruud at this point…but that’s likely where the Bucs are headed.
March 13th, 2023 at 8:38 pm
Soooo glad we did this versus drafting/developing another corner. Roster and draft needs taking shape
March 13th, 2023 at 8:48 pm
WTF????????????????
He’s mediocre at best, and so is Davis.
These corners have to be some of the most overrated players in Bucs history.
So we’re saying that our crappy Defense that couldn’t stop anyone for most of the season wasn’t the fault of our corners that we’re now giving huge contracts to?
THIS IS DUMB.
Our secondary got absolutely TORCHED against the better teams we faced last season. We needed fresh blood, not keeping our weaker links for multiple years.
March 13th, 2023 at 8:55 pm
Rod Munch: Alright. It’s done. Not sure how they got the cap room. Is the wallet now empty?
Of course, you are not sure how they got the cap room. You are not a member of the Bucs’ front office and have no idea how fat their wallet is. . .
March 13th, 2023 at 9:00 pm
Decent corners are hard to find get ready for the Winfield deal !
March 13th, 2023 at 9:02 pm
“It seems the Bucs are destined to have the most expensive secondary in the history of the National Football League.”
Most expensive secondary in the history of the NFL that gets TORCHED regularly. Todd Bowels you SUCK !!!!
March 13th, 2023 at 9:06 pm
Maybe we wouldn’t have to spend so much money on our secondary if we had better coaching (e.g. the 49ers)
March 13th, 2023 at 9:10 pm
I think I had the same reaction after C. Davis signed! Honestly… I like it! Dean’s interception against Rodgers is one of the most important plays in the 2020 season, and while you don’t pay for past plays, he still can produce in a system he knows well! How about C. Campbell to help that necessary pass rush next to V. Vea now?!? Shaq Barrett will make us appreciate this signing!!
Go Bucs!!
March 13th, 2023 at 9:10 pm
“According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Dean, who turned 26 in October, allowed 386 yards as the nearest defender — fifth fewest among players with a minimum of 60 targets. He also allowed a 46.6 completion percentage. He finished the season with a fractured big toe.”
March 13th, 2023 at 9:17 pm
Big signing for Kyle Trask
March 13th, 2023 at 9:26 pm
Guess that’s a goodbye to lavonte and Gholston and shaq
March 13th, 2023 at 9:31 pm
Jameis FINALLY recognizing he is a backup at best!
March 13th, 2023 at 9:34 pm
Overrated and not worth it. For a team with a lot of urgent needs, they just wasted a lot of jack.
March 13th, 2023 at 9:39 pm
Winston signs with the Aints.
Kind of hard to see how he ever starts again absent an injury.
What a bust.
March 13th, 2023 at 9:44 pm
Understand what one of the Joes were saying – invest in the trenches. However you do need guys in the backend in this defensive scheme. Dean has been our best corner since the second half of 2020 season. It would be criminal to let him walk and retain Carlton Davis when Dean has clearly been the better player for the last 2.5 years.
March 13th, 2023 at 9:45 pm
RSJCheapSeats – at least he is not coming back here!
March 13th, 2023 at 10:20 pm
Great!!
That means SMB is gone and they will draft another CB. You need 3 in today’s NFL.
Looking at the guaranteed money, it’s a pretty darn good deal. He could’ve got a lot more in free agency.
Obviously, SHAQ and JTS and Nelson and Logan Hall need to step up, but this is just a sign that have good DBs is very important because getting a stud edge rusher is very very hard to do
March 13th, 2023 at 10:27 pm
Hopefully Zyon has an improved 2nd year, I can see him playing a lot. The thing is, dudes on rookie contracts HAVE to play well, that few years with a great player on low salary is how you get to the Super Bowl
March 13th, 2023 at 10:58 pm
Nothing wrong with signing a good player in his prime. Year 3 and 4 will be cheap with the cap increases.
March 13th, 2023 at 11:05 pm
I’d like to see our asset allocation vs playoff teams
WRs is $60+ mill
Secondary is top 5
How do we compare to the winners
March 14th, 2023 at 2:06 pm
Bucs break the bank? With what Tom Brady’s void years? Certainly not the Dean deal. Great deal for a 26 year old CB starting to come into his own. Well done Jason