Antoine Winfield Had Zero Intention Of Leaving Tampa Bay
August 20th, 2024
Never wanted to leave Bucs.
A lot has been made of the Bucs bringing back their free agents.
Some seriously good players all could have walked if they wanted to. Well, except for Antoine Winfield who the Bucs franchised.
And tagging Winfield sounded more strategic than anything because Winfield had no desire to play anywhere else.
During yesterday’s SiriusXM NFL Radio training camp tour stop in Tampa with former NFL general manager Rick Spielman, the former shot-caller of the Vikings and Dolphins asked Winfield how much the Bucs bringing back other free agents factored into his decision to stay.
Winfield said his mind was already made up.
Rick Spielman: When you look at what Jason Licht has been able to do, and the biggest thing is [re-signing] maybe the best safety in the league right now. The best receiver in the league. Getting Baker Mayfield extended. Tristan Wirfs getting extended. How important was that for your decision to come back here? Or did you even think about leaving Tampa?
Antoine Winfield: No, no. Never thought about it. Never thought about leaving. I’m so happy to be here. And I’m happy everything worked out for the other guys that got deals. It’s going to be a fun year having us all back.
Winfield’s desire to remain is likely why Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht tagged him. Licht likely knew Winfield wouldn’t be PO’ed about getting tagged since he wanted to stay. And Licht likely promised Winfield he would take care of him but wanted to put his contract on the back burner before he lost Baker Mayfield or Mike Evans to another team or Lavonte David to retirement.
That move not only bought time for Licht, but possibly gave him more access to Team Glazer loot to play with in March to get Evans and Mayfield and David back to One Buc Palace.
August 20th, 2024 at 9:21 am
TAMPA is the best NFL location to live.
August 20th, 2024 at 9:29 am
Excellent news.
August 20th, 2024 at 9:35 am
Who else would we have tagged? Devin White?
August 20th, 2024 at 9:35 am
Gotta assume part of that is he likes the head coach
August 20th, 2024 at 9:36 am
Go Bucs
August 20th, 2024 at 9:42 am
For whatever reason, certain sites mess with my Bluetooth. This one especially. No damage done, but it’s annoying. Any suggestions?
August 20th, 2024 at 9:44 am
Joe, can you visit with Win and get his opinion of the DB’s at Jax? I felt good about our DB’s until the Jax scrimmages and game.
August 20th, 2024 at 9:56 am
Spielman said it right THE BEST RECEIVER IN THE LEAGUE our very own Mike Evans! Argue with ya mama
August 20th, 2024 at 10:20 am
lol, Mike Evans is not even a top 10 Receiver in this league
August 20th, 2024 at 10:33 am
I’ve followed the Bucs for a long time and I’ve seen plenty of players that by their body language look like they don’t want to be in Tampa. It’s nice when you see guys like Winfield, Wirfs, etc. that really look like they enjoy being in Tampa.
August 20th, 2024 at 11:03 am
The 20’s is our decade to remember. Everything keeps coming together. We will continue to kick the media in their bol$.
LFG!!!!
August 20th, 2024 at 11:23 am
Jason is the best. That’s all there is to it. When I look at JL and who he’s drafted, the deals he’s struck, the way he reloads…..what a great executive. Although he’s following one of the worst GMs in NFL history, so the contrast is profound.
August 20th, 2024 at 12:51 pm
@Fred McNeil
I’d be really surprised if the site affected your Bluetooth. Are you viewing on your PC, a phone, or ?
August 20th, 2024 at 1:06 pm
O think that’s great. I honestly just assumed his Dad having been in this business and having that family knowledge of the career that he would have taken a big market attitude. It’s super cool the guy is playing where he wants with a team he enjoys playing with vs selling his happiness for market share.
August 20th, 2024 at 2:49 pm
Harold – Evans is 100% a top 10 WR in this league. His NFL peers just confirmed it with his top 100 ranking. Is he a top skill set at his position… no… there are lots of natural movers out there with great hands but results have to factor into rankings at some points.
His size, deceptive speed, and consistent production make him top 10. Quarterback and run game proof. He may not look it out there at times but Evans cannot be denied his greatness and place among the best.
August 20th, 2024 at 3:30 pm
No sense feeding the Haroldine troll. She was hated by her alcoholic, crack addicted mom .
August 20th, 2024 at 6:05 pm
Harold is an AINTS fan trolling our Bucs websites. Sad situation to be an AINTS fan these days.. Go Bucs
August 20th, 2024 at 8:03 pm
Saying Mike Evans isn’t a top ten receiver in this league right now just proves how moronic some fans are! Harold definitely roots for the slimy saints and probably thinks slant boy is still relevant
August 20th, 2024 at 10:12 pm
Harold, your crack addicted Mom is frowning upon you shamelessly! Do better with fresh wisdom good sir, do better
August 20th, 2024 at 10:16 pm
*With great shame! 😒