“Hopefully We Can Finish This Off”
May 20th, 2024
General manager Jason Licht.
So Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht re-signed all the big fish he wanted to keep in the Tampa Bay fishbowl this offseason.
The haul was historic, Licht believes, when you look at the résumés of those players.
But there is more work to be done, per Licht’s comments today at the news conference celebrating safety Antoine Winfield Jr. signing a monster new contract.
Left tackle Tristan Wirfs will earn $21 million this season, all counting against the salary cap. It’s the final year of his rookie contract.
Licht has been clear that he wants and expects to get a fat new deal done for Wirfs but it hasn’t happened yet. “Hopefully we can finish this off,” Licht said of the Wirfs contract today.
Joe knows a deal will get done, but is Wirfs demanding an obscene number?
The Bucs made Winfield the highest paid defensive back in the NFL. So it’s reasonable to think Wirfs wants to be the highest paid offensive lineman.
The Lions handed left tackle Penei Sewell $28 million per year. Houston pays tackle Laremy Tunsil $25 million and Wirfs’ fellow 2020 draft-class tackle Andrew Thomas is around $23.5 million.
What Joe is most interested in is what a new Wirfs deal might mean for the 2024 salary cap.
Joe would be excited if it cleared enough room to trade for a dangerous edge rusher in midseason — if the Bucs’ hope-based strategy at the position doesn’t pay off.
May 20th, 2024 at 9:16 pm
‘Joe would be excited if it cleared enough room to trade for a dangerous edge rusher in midseason — if the Bucs’ hope-based strategy at the position doesn’t pay off.’
Come on Joe; have faith. YaYa’s already shown what he’s capable of, he just needs a little more seasoning & he’ll hit double digits. Chris Braswell is gonna be a beast, count on it. And if Kancey gets consistent pressure via the middle, that trio will wreak havoc for years to come.
May 20th, 2024 at 9:50 pm
It’s nice to have an organization that actually knows what they’re doing. The arrow is pointing up on this organization that has a core of players that should keep this team competitive the next several years. Let’s get Baked. Go Bucs!
May 20th, 2024 at 9:50 pm
Whatever happened to under promise, over achieve? Seems like we’re getting that bassackwards!
May 20th, 2024 at 10:29 pm
“ Joe would be excited if it cleared enough room to trade for a dangerous edge rusher in midseason “.
Has Licht done a mid season trade or picked up a player right after the final roster cuts? I don’t know if Licht has done either recently. Joe?
May 20th, 2024 at 10:44 pm
Man… if I had a dollar for every article Joe mentioned an edge rusher, I could pay for Wirf’s extension myself
May 20th, 2024 at 10:49 pm
@JimBob – last I can think of was probably when he traded for Logan Mankins, which I believe didn’t happen until deep into training camp or possible even during preseason.
May 21st, 2024 at 5:00 am
I have faith in Jason, he knows what he is doing, and a deal will get done. Braswell will do well among others. However, we could always use another edge rusher. Agreed, possibly mid-season.
May 21st, 2024 at 6:31 am
As far as I know, we are still planning to start a backup at Left Guard. Sua Opeta.
A first year player who struggled badly as a Rookie, at Right Guard. Gave up 6 sacks. Cody Mauch
And starting a Rookie at Center( Guard). Graham Barton.All rookie linemen struggle.
And we are coming of our 2nd year with the last place rushing offense in the League.
I keep mentioning it, hopeful that the Bucs will sign one of the Several goid Vet linemen FAs available.
Buuut, we havent fixed the line the last 2 years. No need to get in a hurry now, right?
Thats where Id like to see Mr. Licht spend some money
May 21st, 2024 at 8:19 am
Sewell is the Lions right tackle
May 21st, 2024 at 11:33 am
Sewell was the #1 rated tackle in the league last year. Hard to believe they’d pay Wirfs more than Sewell.
May 21st, 2024 at 11:44 am
Capt Tim … I don’t understand the Mauch hate. Baldinger did a special film review on him that was amazing. Dude blocked two players on multiple plays. Look it up.
Mauch was awesome to start the year but hit the rookie wall. Going from North Dakota St to the NFL isn’t as easy as it sounds. Mauch knows the game now. He’s at OneBuc putting in the work. Licht has already remarked about his new and improved body. He’s a stud. As for you, you may want to use the offseason to try a little loyalty, or maybe go root for the Saints. Think about it. It’s the same thing.