Setting The Market
March 4th, 2024
Perfect timing.
Boy, talk about the stars lining up just right.
Antoine Winfield Jr. had the best year for a Bucs safety since John Lynch roamed centerfield. Back in 2000, that was the last time a Bucs safety was named First Team All-Pro.
And it just so happened to be a contract year for Winfield. As a result, he’s looking at making bank. Big time.
In fact, Jeremy Fowler of BSPN said he is hearing through league circles that Winfield may just be the NFL’s highest-paid safety in the coming weeks.
That is, if Winfield isn’t franchised by tomorrow. Tuesday afternoon is the deadline when teams can choose to slap the franchise tag on a free agent.
While the expectation is that Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. will receive the franchise tag by Tuesday absent a new deal, the two sides will continue talking over the coming days in hopes of an extension. There’s a feeling from people inside the league I’ve spoken to that Winfield would reset the safety market in a new deal, either with Tampa Bay or as a free agent. He was that good last season, finishing with 122 tackles, 6 sacks, 6 forced fumbles and 3 interceptions.
Fowler points out a key piece of information. Just because the Bucs use the franchise tag on Winfield doesn’t mean he’s just going to make the 2024 franchise tag number for safeties at $17,123,000, and become a free agent again next winter.
A franchise tag also buys both a team and player time to work out a long-term contract.
Either way, Winfield in the next few days is going to be an extremely wealthy young man.
March 4th, 2024 at 7:36 am
Good for him!
March 4th, 2024 at 7:48 am
Well deserved.
March 4th, 2024 at 7:55 am
Hard worker. Let’s make him proud to be a Buc. Another quality pic by Licht.
March 4th, 2024 at 7:57 am
if Mayfield truly is a $40M+ QB, we should be using the franchise tag on him instead. A $40M+ QB implies worth multiple first round picks likely and that sort of haul would change our trajectory going forward.
March 4th, 2024 at 8:06 am
Go Bucs
March 4th, 2024 at 8:19 am
He’s a KEEPER!
March 4th, 2024 at 8:21 am
During the den of depression years “THE JOES WORDS ” we had a guy named Gerald Mccoy. Back then & even now I can’t think of one meaningful play that guy made . Ever ! I challenge the Joe’s & fans to name one . My point is , this fantastic leader named Winfield is the anti Mccoy. I can name a few game saving & season saving plays this young baller has made & that’s just this season ! Pay the guy & whirfs..oh and for the love of all things holy do not let mike Evans walk ! If we have to sign baker to keep Evans you do it ! This team can win games in the playoffs with a good draft & some 2nd year players stepping up . Kancy & Yaya come to mind . Get some maulers up front inside on the o line & trade Carlton davis
March 4th, 2024 at 8:28 am
Sign him
March 4th, 2024 at 8:30 am
Bates @ ATL put up similar stats with 132 tackles, 6 Picks and, 3 Forced Fumbles. Had their Defense been as bad getting pressure he may have been asked to blitz and have sacks also. He signed a 4yr/64million deal last season. 17 million is right in the Ball Park.
Franchise Tag on Winfield will result in a lower payment over worth than using it on Evans and Mayfield.
March 4th, 2024 at 8:37 am
Franchise tag will lower his cost but he will be pretty mad about it. The guy deserves his contract. I’m not saying the Bucs should be the ones to pay it but he’s shown enough to warrant the attention he’s getting. Good for him.
March 4th, 2024 at 8:41 am
I am hoping the Bucs sign him to a long-term deal. He is the best safety in the NFL. Bucs may be better off giving Baker the franchise tag and then negotiating with his agent after the tag is made.
March 4th, 2024 at 8:45 am
Yep…I’d franchise tag him in a heart beat. If baker wants 40+ I’d make him walk and the same for outrageous demands by Evans. Fortunately I don’t buy for a minute Baker will be demanding 40+.
March 4th, 2024 at 9:07 am
NFLPA should negotiate the “Franchise Tag” out of existence as it is a horrible designation and should the “Franchise ” player suffer a debilitating injury that takes long term recovery that player is taking the shaft.
March 4th, 2024 at 9:17 am
Do Bucs have option to match other offers for Bakefield?
March 4th, 2024 at 9:21 am
Is a safety worth it? I’m not really sure, much as I like Winfield’s play.
Corners were definitely not and that’s why we are having trouble paying for other important players now because they overpaid for the corners. Do we want to stack even more money into the wrong area, i.e. defensive backfield?
March 4th, 2024 at 9:44 am
Winfield basically won 2 games-he IS worth it
March 4th, 2024 at 10:35 am
Is there another Buc that had individual effort plays that won the Bucs games? Sign this guy
March 4th, 2024 at 11:03 am
Nobody is worth the money these guys get Paid, to play a game.
But, As Gene Simons of Kiss told me, the way you justify the outrageous amounts of money people get paid,is this.
No matter what you do, if you can get people to fill up arenas all over, to watch you do it, then you are gonna make alot of money.
That said- yeah, Winfield Jr. turned in an astounding amount of big plays. Several game saving plays. He deserves to be paid as the best Safety in Football.
I hope Zion Is ready to make the next big step. We are paying some CBs to be be game changers, and they dont wanna play. Both took off half the year.even when they were on the field- they were coasting. They quit on the team.
I like Carlton Davis. Last year was his first really bad year, and he bounced back to form around mid season.
Dean always seems to miss games, and gives up alot of big plays.
I think Zion can take his spot. I also think Izen could be our Slot corner, if he makes the big step this year. I also like the rookie we drafted last year.
Get rid of Dean.that will be a wake up call for Davis, who really is a great Corner.
We have the horses to let Dean go. He can recuperate on someone elses IR.
March 4th, 2024 at 11:48 am
Winfield is a no-brainer to anyone that’s ever watched football. Davis and Dean, i remember thinking at the time those contracts were iffy.
AWjr is a different beast. He has proven he’s a gamechanger and single-handedly saved the Bucs from missing the playoffs (and at least once he vs Atlanta, tried, but the lauded offense we hear so much about turded all over themselves).
March 4th, 2024 at 12:19 pm
Winfield isn’t going anywhere. He and Wirfs are the best players on the team. Franchise him and work it out.
March 4th, 2024 at 1:32 pm
he is worth every penny….. he earned it
March 4th, 2024 at 2:17 pm
First team All Pro has a nice ring to it.
March 4th, 2024 at 6:52 pm
He’s earned it and he deserves every penny of it!
Pay the man!
March 5th, 2024 at 4:16 pm
Agreed, Winfield is the best Safety in the NFL and never gives up on plays. He looks this good playing with a horrible defensive backfield. Imagine if every other DB wasn’t missing assignments and getting hurt every time they left their feet. I agree completely that Dean needs to be traded and the young hard working DBS need to step it up. Winfield is a game winning, game changer. Let’s not forget how many times he’s got his hands on the ball or prevented scores or caused turnovers. He is a gamers in the words of his teammates. Wirfs and Winfield need some help and deserve to be paid.