CBS: Antoine Winfield Earned His Contract
May 14th, 2024
“Ultimate traffic cop.”
Take it from a Super Bowl-winning cornerback. If folks didn’t believe Antoine Winfield is one of the game’s best defenders, then his new contract proves it.
Like Winfield, Bryant McFadden, a cornerback, was a second-round pick. But the way he reacted to yesterday’s news that Winfield is now the highest-paid defensive back, McFadden almost seemed jealous.
Now working for CBS, McFadden could barely contain his happiness for Winfield.
“‘Wow,’ that’s my initial reaction,” McFadden said. Winfield “got hit with a tag some months ago and I felt like eventually an extension would get done. No surprise there.
“But clearly, I was surprised just like you. And most of our viewers, hearing that Antoine Winfield didn’t just reset the market for the safety position, but he reset the market for the cornerback position as well. And this is a monumental thing.”
McFadden explained one reason Winfield got so much coin is he’s game-changer week in and week out, but also a guy who can play all over the field, pass or run.
A weapon like that deserves to break the bank, McFadden said. And Winfield did just that.
“This is a guy last season, it was unbelievable,” McFadden began. “One of the best defensive players in the National Football League. Forget about just singling him out as a secondary guy. He was one of the best defensive players in the National Football League.
“So when you pay Antoine Winfield north of $21 million, the player that you’re getting is a guy that can be a big time contributor in coverage, right? We saw what he what he meant to [the Bucs] in regards to getting turnovers, the six [forced fumbles]. That was huge when you talked about also being number two in tackles.
“So Antoine Winfield is basically three players in one. He could be the linebacker based on his ability to tackle. He could be one of your best cover guys when you talk about being able to create turnovers not to mention he also can play the nickel or dime. He’s done this throughout his time there in Tampa, the ultimate traffic cop.”
Joe likes that last line about Winfield. “The ultimate traffic cop.”
Maybe for a big game at The Licht House, Winfield should roll up in a squad car dressed as a cop. That would be so cool.
May 14th, 2024 at 6:32 am
Big time players = Big time $$$
May 14th, 2024 at 6:42 am
So different from bringing high priced mid level free agents. Now we just got to develop these young pass rushers and offensive linemen, only Tristan left to pay (maybe Godwin) next year. I like what Licht has learned and done. Playoff run loading when you have game changers
May 14th, 2024 at 6:56 am
I’ve trying to find out how much of a cap savings move this is. Nuttin yet.
May 14th, 2024 at 7:03 am
This might actually be a sneaky good move by Licht. Now every halfway decent CB on other teams will be holding out for more money.
May 14th, 2024 at 7:09 am
Where are the know it all future gm’s in the comments saying it’s a bad deal
May 14th, 2024 at 7:12 am
His salary went down to 7 million this year so it’s about 10 million in savings.
May 14th, 2024 at 7:13 am
McFadden did a good job staying partial, until his coworker asked him who he’s got winning the NFC South and McFadden froze up, then I spent the rest of the exchange saying “c’mon bruh” because he vaguely talked up the Falcons like Kirk Cousin isn’t 0-2 against our D since 2019.
May 14th, 2024 at 7:21 am
And I will repeat what has been said many times, not just a great player, but a great person and an amazing role model for kids. Well earned.
May 14th, 2024 at 7:53 am
Looking at this contract makes the Davis trade make more sense…..we need the money to keep our best players.
I suspect we will be looking to replace Dean & Godwin in next year’s draft.
This is simply how it works.
We are paying Wirfs…..but saved on Jensen going forward……getting off pretty cheap on the Oline.
We have to hope we get production our of Braswell……all will be good…
May 14th, 2024 at 8:05 am
Timing was perfect for the perfect player. Glad to see him get the $$$ he’s earned. Now when this contract is up we’ll be talking about whether the Bucs keep him through the end of his HOF career. At least that’s the hope.
May 14th, 2024 at 8:07 am
Go Bucs
May 14th, 2024 at 8:40 am
Failure by Licht, guy continues to invest in the wrong positions and struggles to build a roster
May 14th, 2024 at 9:02 am
Bucs are paying
2 WR’s over $20 Million a year
A Safety over $20 Million per year
A DT has over $20 million cap hit in 2024
A CB with a cap hit of over $14 million
And another $40 million in dead cap in 2024
One magical 3 year run by Brady has fans thinking Licht is good
May 14th, 2024 at 9:21 am
Solid player in the secondary. Basically got a two year deal @ 21m with a 3m out if team should have to start a rebuild down the road.
He really shines when Opposing Line has to account for him and Devin White on a Blitz.
Since the peace sign up 31-9 in the Super Bowl he’s struggled in crunch time during Big Games. Getting beat for a 44 yard bomb in 2022 and getting faked out of his shoes by a rookie for a TD late in the game in 2023.
Hopefully the Secondary will get better and he won’t have to tow most of the load.
May 14th, 2024 at 9:31 am
I can’t get enough of the Winfield/Hill Super Bowl photo. Good times. 😁
May 14th, 2024 at 10:06 am
One of the few who can decode Dr. Complexity’s quantum metaphysics defense.
May 14th, 2024 at 10:09 am
A wonderful morning for Winfield .
May 14th, 2024 at 10:12 am
For everyone worried about the cap my guess is Dean won’t be here next year which saves like 14 million a year on his contract. Godwin getting paid like 24 million a year and he may be gone after this year if Palmer or the rookie WR we just drafted steps up. Cap not really a problem teams find a way around it. Winfield was worth every penny of that contract and only 45 million of it is guaranteed.
May 14th, 2024 at 10:19 am
SACK TOTAL
He got home on the Safety Blitz. I wouldn’t be surprised to see his sack totals go up this year.
At the end of his career with may have the only two 40-40 (sack-int) guys in NFL history (only 30-30 guy too).
May 14th, 2024 at 10:22 am
Why is this First Name person even on this site? Not a Bucs fan and obviously is more worried about how much money the Glazers spend all the while overlooking the steadiness of this team the last 4 years. They are knocking on the door to win at all and are a better team this year. Get a Clue! Let’s get Baked. Go Bucs!
May 14th, 2024 at 10:44 am
This guy made multiple game changing plays. Worth every penny.
May 14th, 2024 at 10:46 am
Lt. Dan, I remember Hugh Culverhouse saving a lot of money. That was awesome.
May 14th, 2024 at 10:49 am
That’s gonna happen, “DCone.” Getting burnt TWICE, in 2-years LoL. These Wideouts, QB’s, and Offenses are just too good these days. And, NOBODY is ‘perfect’ all the time. It happens to EVERYONE. It has to all the ‘Greats’ and it always, will. “Solid!?” Take another look at those stats from last season… “Defensive MVP” type numbers. He’s ‘3-Players’ in one, a Team Leader & a great locker room guy! And, he has that athletic/football pedigree… He was BORN to play. I would give him maybe, just a tad bit more credit than “solid.”
May 14th, 2024 at 11:38 am
First Name Greatest…Licht built the team that Brady took to the Super Bowl.
May 14th, 2024 at 11:58 am
Great players get great money, can’t get around it
May 14th, 2024 at 12:57 pm
First Name….
So you’re saying our GM isn’t great because he keeps drafting good players that we want to sign to a second contract? Are you suggesting we let the players walk and draft/sign replacements? When you have good players, you don’t let them walk out the door. What kind of message does that send to the team and fans?
So you want to get rid of Godwin, Vea and Dean, and get what in return?
May 14th, 2024 at 12:58 pm
There’s at least 3 games we don’t win last year without Winfield, at least.