Bucs Can Now Afford A Real Edge Rusher
February 19th, 2025
Affordable.
The reasons for the Bucs not going out and getting an established edge rusher are about dried up thanks to an NFL news release today.
Though the 2025 salary cap numbers are not yet finalized, the NFL announced salary caps are expected to rise by some $22 million per team, notes Dan Graziano of ESPN. That’s a big jump.
So if you think a top-shelf defensive end makes $20 million a year, which Myles Garrett does, for example does, the Bucs can afford such a salary now.
Before, the Bucs would likely have had to sacrifice someone like Chris Godwin to bring in a stud like Garrett. No more. However, Joe knows teams are somewhat aware of the pending annual salary cap increase before it is revealed.
Joe was prepared to listen to the Bucs next month cry poor for passing (again) on an edge rusher saying they couldn’t mess up their salary cap.
It’s valid rationale, if not smart and responsible. It’s also convenient.
Now? Well, teams will have to concoct savvy reasons for not adding a key player at a crucial position — even if a team has a Grand Canyon-sized hole at said position. And for a team on the cusp of making a Super Bowl run like the Bucs, it’s even more critical to fill that void.
You know, like edge rush?
February 19th, 2025 at 2:12 pm
If we need more space, we should resign baker to a longer term, backloaded contract, saves us having to negotiate after he gives us another great season and is facing free agency.
February 19th, 2025 at 2:28 pm
hm yea extending baker is not a bad idea
February 19th, 2025 at 2:33 pm
Baker is wayyyyy underpaid. Might be a good idea
February 19th, 2025 at 2:39 pm
More Baker — yes
February 19th, 2025 at 2:40 pm
Baker is under contract for 2 more years, unless it’s absolutely needed, no need to restructure/resign him yet.
It’s great the Bucs will have an additional $20+ million, however that does mean about 24 – 28 other teams will have that much more as well (figuring some were already over the cap, and the $20+ million helps them get under it), for them to buy the same top end Pass Rusher, and drive up his price.
I’d love to see us get one of the Top 3 guys available in FA or Trade, but it’s not automatic even if Licht is willing and has enough room under the cap to bring them in.
February 19th, 2025 at 2:49 pm
I wouldn’t consider this team remotely close to a SB run, under Bowles were 1-4 in three trips to the playoffs. Legit teams consistently get to rd 2 of the playoffs, we barely made it. Had Atlanta not completely collapsed, we would’ve been out. This team needs a boatload of help on defense, Licht will have to nail the draft, bring in a free agent or two….and then pray injuries are avoided. Then we might get to rd 2.
February 19th, 2025 at 2:53 pm
Agents must be drooling.
February 19th, 2025 at 2:57 pm
Reading about Baker and Myles in the same post is kind of amusing.
Both #1 overall draft picks by the Bucs, there was a battle for leadership among the barn roosters and the banty rooster lost out. So Myles gets the Browns to dump Baker for Watson!
Baker is supposed to act like that didn’t happen now? How many questions from National and Cleveland media might that elicit? Anymore battles between the barn roosters?
February 19th, 2025 at 2:57 pm
Oops by the Browns not the Bucs
February 19th, 2025 at 3:01 pm
Where is the evidence that Garrett was the cause of Baker’s Browns downfall? National Enquirer still around?
February 19th, 2025 at 3:05 pm
Browns get ridiculous cap hit if he leaves
February 19th, 2025 at 3:10 pm
Bobby M got it right. The Bucs are good enough to contend but are not elite tier. It will take more than one or two new studs to be Super Bowl Contenders. Yes they are cable of beating top tier opponents if the opponent is somewhat off their game. But the Bucs are also capable of losing to weaker opponents. Yah they are close, but no sure cigar. Some luck in the draft, steal a top free agent or two and avoid injuries to key players next season and the Bucs could go all the way if they can be consistent all season!!! This past season they had terrific wins but also some dreadful losses. Clean up m the inconsistency, add a few new studs and they would have a dam good shot. It’s all on Licht for now.
February 19th, 2025 at 3:14 pm
Ya Joe but every other team will also have more to spend!!! It’s gonna great for top free agents who are for sure smelling the new money.
February 19th, 2025 at 3:18 pm
Glazers will never spend the money. Light will have to cover up for them and spin some bogus yarn about how they like the edge rushers currently on the roster.
February 19th, 2025 at 3:25 pm
Keep in mind the asking price of all of our fres agents to re-sign and anyone who else we want to bring in also went up. I don’t think this is just a free 20 Mil we got. Also agree that bringing him in with Baker and their history is a somewhat concerning. Want a tight locker room even if he acts mature about it on the surface
February 19th, 2025 at 3:29 pm
Don’t go spending it all in one place.
Might make more sense to fill a few spots with the extra $$$. Of course, everybody else got a boost, so it doesn’t help signing free agents all that much. Can we sign FA starters at ILB and safety or CB? Maybe. I can’t see spending all your extra cap on one player AND giving up 2 #1s because it means we make it far more difficult and unlikely to find quality starters at CB, S, and ILB. I think Garrett would make a difference, but is it enough to make them SB-ready? I don’t know. Can we really win a SB with Jamel Dean for 8 games and a parade of scrubs at CB, or SVD for 8 games and a parade of scrubs at ILB, or an unknown starting safety next to Winfield?
The philosophy of investing in one star player only really works if you’re one player (ish) away… they ain’t.
I think it might make more sense to spend some money on Sweat (younger, less $$$, no draft picks surrendered). He, plus a strong defensive draft, and another mid-tier free agent or 2, could set the D up for success for several years to come.
Don’t get me wrong. If we get Garrett, I’ll be pretty pumped, but I’ll be equally interested to see how they fill the other spots.
If he gets hurt, you get exactly zero from the huge draft pick and cash investment. The other direction is less risky and could be more effective at this stage.
Obviously the J0es and numerous fans see it otherwise. 🤷🏼♂️
February 19th, 2025 at 3:34 pm
Jeff Says:
February 19th, 2025 at 3:18 pm
What the h3ll are you talking about? The Glazers spend whatever is necessary. That hasn’t been the issue for a very long time. Did you just land here in a time machine from 2007?
After so many years it should be obvious from reading the name 8 million times that it’s spelled L-I-C-H-T.
Also, what you call a “bogus yarn” is the same GM-speak that every intelligent GM does publicly. Licht has proven he knows where the team’s weaknesses lie.
Jeezus, some people will complain about anything.
February 19th, 2025 at 3:43 pm
Filthy animal, thank you. Was just getting ready to pen a response to Jeff’s ridiculous assertion. The glazers didn’t spend much money for about a 3-year period during the Man u takeover and the housing crisis. Was never an issue before and hasn’t been sent. Dead talking point.
February 19th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
* hasn’t been since
February 19th, 2025 at 4:19 pm
interesting enough signing chris godwin to a new contract will help free up more cap space . letting him walk would create less cap space
February 19th, 2025 at 4:22 pm
Saw some speculation that the Browns might try to make a package of Garrett and Watson. What say you guys?
February 19th, 2025 at 4:25 pm
eff Says:
February 19th, 2025 at 3:18 pm
Glazers will never spend the money. Light will have to cover up for them and spin some bogus yarn about how they like the edge rushers currently on the roster.
^^^^^^^^
Jefftard: This isn’t a Saints website. You obviously know nothing about the Bucs if you think the Glazers won’t spend money.
February 19th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
Mobucs Says:
February 19th, 2025 at 4:22 pm
Really? Is that a serious question? Would you take on a 40+ million contract for a sexual predator who isn’t even going to play for you? Is that even a thought?
February 19th, 2025 at 4:29 pm
Wow, more than expected.
Which also means the salary demands of everyone goes up as well. So Godwin probably now is more in the $30m range, if he wasn’t already.
February 19th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
They’re not going to pay Godwin 30 million. No way. Not even close.
February 19th, 2025 at 4:39 pm
Good idea Pink. Baker is one of top QBs in the NFL and the Bucs are getting a relative bargain. They should look at extending him another three years.
February 19th, 2025 at 4:58 pm
If stupidity were a natural resource this website’s comment board could power the entire USA.
February 19th, 2025 at 5:20 pm
@ Bobby M. Idk how you get us being 1-4 in 3 trips to the playoffs? I’m also not sure how much you know about football if a team can lose 4 games in 3 trips to the playoffs considering you lose and your out. I firmly diagree with you when you say this team isn’t on the cusp of a super bowl run. We beat the Super Bowl champs Eagles, beat the Lions, beat all the top teams in the NFC. We’re 2 or so players away from making a run, our offense is fine as long as we resign Godwin and based on today’s news that’s gonna happen. Add a pash risher like uh Maxx Crosby and a CB we’re making that SB run.
February 19th, 2025 at 5:34 pm
FilthyAnimal Says:
February 19th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
They’re not going to pay Godwin 30 million. No way. Not even close.
————–
Have you bothered to look at what WR’s are being paid within the last few years.
For example, DJ Moore, who isn’t nearly as good as Godwin, makes $27.5m/year – and that’s before the cap went up. DeVonta Smith, who isn’t even in the same league as Godwin, makes $25m/year – again before the cap went up.
So who does make $30m/year at WR? Brandon Aiyuk. Give me a break, not nearly as good as Godwin – and again, that $30m was BEFORE the cap went up.
Basically $30m this year, is like getting paid around $26m or so last year (and yes, I know the percentages or different, but the extra money tends to disproportionately benefit skill players).
Now will Godwin actually get $30m? Well, to my shock, he’s younger than Deebo Samuel, as of today Godwin is still just 28 years old (for a few more days). The thing that will hurt Godwin, perhaps, is his injury history. But he’ll still get at least $25m I’d suspect, so long as he’s healthy – and I believe he is.
I doubt the Bucs can afford to resign him, but I hope they figure out something.
February 19th, 2025 at 5:47 pm
Bucs would absolutely shock me if they went after a premier Pass Rusher.
You gotta want it bad..Real bad. And we, love bargain shopping to much.
February 19th, 2025 at 6:35 pm
Aqualung
Pay attention! Just this week I posted a link that came from Florio/Simms and a woman they respect who writes for the Cleveland fish wrap.
Whoa a woman? A newspaper? No wonder eh?
Problem with that is you have to throw Florio and Simms under the bus and the copious articles about including interviews with Garrett YOU could read if you really cared about info instead of just pot shotting people. Like BOWLES!!!
February 19th, 2025 at 7:15 pm
we need a junk yard dog off the street like Hardy Nickerson to get some meaness in defense, trust in licht to find some rubbish somewhere… what if you pay 21 million two first rounders and he sucks? happens a lot, prices may be too high
February 19th, 2025 at 7:41 pm
Rod Munch Says:
February 19th, 2025 at 5:34 pm
FilthyAnimal Says:
February 19th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
“They’re not going to pay Godwin 30 million. No way. Not even close.”
I stand by it. How can you pay him that much when Evans makes a little north of 20 per year? I’m not even saying whether Godwin is “worth it” in the current WR market. I think his injury history will be taken into account, and I also think Godwin wants to be in Tampa… but if someone throws 27 or 28 at him, the Bucs are not going to match it. I’d be shocked if they went that high. Depends on if he wants to make top dollar regardless of the situation or if he wants to continue pursuing a SB with his long-time teammates… We’ll see what happens.
February 19th, 2025 at 8:14 pm
StPeteBucsFan makes a great point. It is common knowledge that Myles Garrett and Odell Beckham were not enamored with Baker Mayfield. If there was bad blood in Cleveland, why rick bringing it into the Tampa locker room which is pretty united and solid nowadays, unlike back in the dark decade when various cancers (looking at you Desean Jackson) divided the locker room into bickering factions.
February 19th, 2025 at 8:38 pm
I am 59 and been a bucs fan since they began. Matter of fact I and some friends and a friends dad met the Bucs after that first win against the Saints. Man did I have some great John Hancocks from that night. I stood at 12 years old on John Mckays caddy while he gave a victory speech. Opps I/we caved either the hood or trunk in. Sorry Mr Mckay!! Anyway Those of you who say we are not ready for a SB run Dont know squat about football.Injuries have killed us the last few years. Prove me wrong!! We need to sign a edge rusher an LB and a corner and hit on draft picks of same and a WR And if there is an Ol player to good to pass on grab him or trade down for depth
February 19th, 2025 at 8:44 pm
OverTheCap is projecting it to be a $7M bump in salary cap.
That won’t give the Bucs enough to sign an elite pass rusher. But it will give them some breathing room.
Extending Baker is one way to gain some additional cap space. Right now, his current contract has base salaries of $30M and $40M for the next two years.
Releasing Whitehead is another. He can be released for no dead money and a $4.5M cap savings.
February 19th, 2025 at 8:57 pm
Now “THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKIN’ ‘BOUT” he’ll look GREAT in the Pewter Guy’s !
Go Buc’s
February 19th, 2025 at 9:06 pm
Who the heck is the glazers lol. Why would a team be called that nick name. I watch the buccaneers not the glazers, Go bucs. The glazers? Sounds like what i did to your mom yesterday
February 19th, 2025 at 9:28 pm
The projection was already for $275M per team in 2025 – so at most there’s an ‘extra’ $2-6M above expectations to work with….
Whoopdedoo….
February 19th, 2025 at 9:48 pm
Baker and Garrett have both matured ,,, old business, and sometimes Cleveland brings out the worst in people
February 19th, 2025 at 10:33 pm
B Says:
February 19th, 2025 at 9:06 pm
dumb
February 19th, 2025 at 11:19 pm
No way Licht does this. It’s fun and games to think about, but the reality is we are not a one player away team on defense. We were a many player away team on defense this year, with high price tag players not really contributing. Many of our established “pieces” are suspect due to a combination of age, injury and inconsistency and there isn’t any real reason to expect that to change. You could make the argument/gamble Licht has good drafts that provide depth, but we need starters now – multiple line backers (maybe all by seasons end) plus yes an edge rusher plus a corner to just not field a defense that has holes in it every weekend, much less contend for a ring.
February 19th, 2025 at 11:34 pm
The site Pom Pom shaker apparently had a hissy fit about something.
Try a candy bar, or maybe a few shots of good whisky, or both.
February 19th, 2025 at 11:52 pm
Can they save cap room by extending Bowles? Need to lock up the HC so all these FA clamoring to play for the guru have confidence he’ll be here long term
February 20th, 2025 at 2:22 am
Last year a big jump was predicted and it ended up not being as big as the NFL suggested.
So don’t count our chickens before they hatch.
If the Bucs can address the pass rush and the secondary, they might be a SB contender, unless hit with injuries again.
Right now, they are good enough to get into the playoffs. That meands they have all year to develop new defensive players.
February 20th, 2025 at 7:22 am
The cap increase didn’t do anything for the Bucs for getting Garrett. It means another team can give him 35M/yr
February 20th, 2025 at 10:17 am
Statguy Says:
February 20th, 2025 at 7:22 am
The Garrett thing is about compensation to the Browns in trade, not compensation to Garrett. Garrett is not a free agent, so there’s no bidding for his services. His cap number this year is 19.7 mil.
February 20th, 2025 at 2:38 pm
Make it happen!!!
February 20th, 2025 at 9:48 pm
Spot on , Statguy.
Meanwhile, there is no evidence that Garrett and Baker have some kind of simmering feud that being teammates on the Bucs would be hindered by. Unlike a few in the Pom Pom squad, these are grown men with thick skin who bash brains in for a living.
The issue isn’t Baker. It’s how unlikely the Browns are to trade Garrett, and if they do, he wants to go to a defense where he can pile on top of his sack totals. He’s not interested in adding to his handful of passes defenses.
February 20th, 2025 at 10:44 pm
Ya poor old sot, you see, it’s only me.