Free Agency Is Now Open!
March 14th, 2022
Gone?
(The games have begun!) The most fun and gut-wrenching day of the offseason is here.
Non-stop action all afternoon and night (and that was the case before Tom Brady shocked the world yesterday).
Starting at noon, agents officially can negotiate new contracts for their free agents. Within hours of the noon siren blowing, there will be announcements of players agreeing in principle to fat contracts with new teams. The big-gun reporters of NFL media will be Twittering reports of deals all afternoon and night — making fans cry and squeal with delight.
For example, Tom Brady’s 2020 deal with the Bucs was announced on a glorious Tuesday in 2020 during what’s known as the legal tampering period. By the time the new NFL fiscal year begins on Wednesday at 4 p.m., there could be 60 new contracts across the NFL.
One reason the NFL does this is so teams can use Tuesday and Wednesday to cut players to clear room under their salary cap before the fresh free agent contracts take effect.
So who could be gone from the Bucs by tonight? Carlton Davis, Jordan Whitehead, Leonard Fournette, Rob Gronkowski and Alex Cappa head the list — if Brady can’t work some incredible magic. But even Tom Brady can’t pull salary cap room out of thin air.
It’s likely the Bucs cannot afford all these returnees under any circumstances.
Guys like Will Gholston, Jason Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong Suh are unlikely to be Day 1 free agent signings around the league, so the Bucs likely have more time to play with when it comes to them.
For those who just emerged from a coma following Brady’s unretirement announcement, Ryan Jensen is back with a raise. Carlton Davis is at the edge of the plank. And Playoff Lenny is reassessing life.
March 14th, 2022 at 5:07 am
You have to get Gronkowski back, not only is he Tom’s buddy, he’s still an outstanding receiver and an outstanding blocker.
Kappa? I’m not sold. I have complete faith that Licht can draft a starting guard that will be just as good as Kappa. Bigger issue is Marpet, you’re not getting someone as good a Marpet in their first year – so Brady and everyone need to put the full court press on Marpet to get his fat a– back on the team. With that said, I still have complete faith in Licht to be able to draft TWO starting guards in the 1st 3 rounds of the draft. Also with Jensen coming back for 3 years, now you Hainsey probably to guard – not sure you start him unless he’s a natural, but he could be a swing man that could be your primary backup for everywhere on the offensive line.
March 14th, 2022 at 5:17 am
Whitehead is a keeper, and Gronk has been at the Facility a lot this offseason, he should be inking a deal quickly. There was a huge difference for the offense when Gronk played and when he was not available.
GO BUCS!!!!
March 14th, 2022 at 6:22 am
Ryan Jensen BAYYYY BEEEE!
March 14th, 2022 at 6:40 am
Don’t sign A.B.
March 14th, 2022 at 7:01 am
Gronk missed something like 6 weeks and STILL almost had 1000 yards
March 14th, 2022 at 7:17 am
Whitehead and, Davis before a RB who doesn’t want to be here. Gronk for sure, and Cappa if we can swing it. Draft one of the Georgia DT’s Davis if possible, but either would be nicely paired with Vea. Draft RB, CB, G, MLB, S TE. Great news on Brady coming back, but do not forget to add to what we have in our stable because next year we could be in the same position as this one if we do not plan for the real “retirement day” that is coming.
GO!!! BUCS!!!!
March 14th, 2022 at 7:19 am
WELL. I guess we can put off firing BA for a few minutes
March 14th, 2022 at 7:25 am
Left guard Rodger Saffold to replace Marpet like get it done
March 14th, 2022 at 7:27 am
On the draft-
Have got to get guys that have a chance to start & contribute. Sure last year all the starters came back, so sort of made sense to do what they did in the 2nd, but I didn’t & still don’t agree.
This year, package all the back-end & try to get back up in the 3rd in hopes of getting 1 extra player who might make a difference. The draft is pretty deep this year, so will be some good talent still.
March 14th, 2022 at 7:32 am
Joe, I’m obviously glad Brady is back, but I’m happy for you guys as well. I know I click 4 times more when there’s happy Brady news! Congrats, and don’t blow the extra cash😂
March 14th, 2022 at 7:46 am
If Jensen won’t come back Ted Karras played with Brady in New England is available at a low cost.
March 14th, 2022 at 7:48 am
With Brady, there will be some vets willing to take minimum deals to chase a ring.
I think o-line, d-line, maybe even CB we’ll be able to find value at those positions.
March 14th, 2022 at 7:53 am
With Brady back as our Field General, can easily see a number of contract restructures to free up CAP space (Evans, Brady, Shaq, D Smith, LVD and eventually Godwin I hope). I imagine that Jensen’s contract will be light this season also (him signing a 3-year contract is HUGE by the way).
So who to bring back now that Brady & Jensen are in the fold? For starters, the guys who Brady relies on the most. Gronk … check. Fournette … check. Maybe Cappa, but that’s not a given (can buy a solid replacement OR draft one). Also wouldn’t be surprised to see us sign OJ (for around his $2 mil Market Value). And as bizarre as it might seem, wouldn’t be totally surprised to see AB sign on again IF TB12 wants him.
Defensively we could be hurting, for a while at least. Whitehead & Gholston should be 2 priorities IMO, as well as drafting a CB & DT in the Top-3 Rnds. I could see Suh re-signing assuming that we draft a DT (to be his mentor as a part-time rotational guy & to chase 1 more SB ring?).
It’ll all be tricky, but it’s doable. Gonna cost us big-time in 2023 & 2024, but hey … ‘Damn the torpedoes; full-speed ahead’.
March 14th, 2022 at 7:57 am
Serious question – could we sign Jensen before free agency started because he was on our team last year? Not tampering.
March 14th, 2022 at 8:02 am
^^^^
Good question. Not sure why jensen was able to sign deal already as FA
You can sign your own free agents at any time.–Joe
March 14th, 2022 at 8:04 am
Were going those some players. No need to jump off the skyway. We got the draft and when the final cut down comes there will be guys who want to come here with Brady.
Its all good. Tom probably talked to Jason about how the team woild look if he came back.
But, were gonna loose some key guys.
March 14th, 2022 at 8:16 am
Please don’t sign Blaine Garbage.
Let Trask be the backup. We all just saw how unprepared we were with TB’s brief retirement.
Give the kid some REAL reps with the 1s.
March 14th, 2022 at 8:24 am
DR
Signing AB would be more than bizarre….it would be stunningly mind-numbing.
I’m surprised we signed Jensen when we had Hainsey ready to go….I wonder if he could be switched to guard…..we need to get something out of him. So last year with Trask & Hainsey we are not using our 2nd & 3rd round picks.
I see all these suggestions for the draft…..we only have 7 picks….but I think we will definitely need a DT & a CB early perhaps an OG….then RB, TE later.
Don’t look for us to be players for any big name FAs unless they are very old pros who will come cheap.
March 14th, 2022 at 8:24 am
@ gbobucsfan: None are *officially* a FA until Wednesday.
March 14th, 2022 at 8:30 am
Center Ryan Jensen agrees to 3-year deal to return to Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
March 14th, 2022 at 8:30 am
TBBF,
I think we start Hainsey and Stinnie at G and let Cappa walk.
March 14th, 2022 at 8:31 am
There will be 2 categories:
1) keepas
2) throwbacks
It will be interesting to see who grades out.
Personally, I would intend to keep suh, gronk, gholston, that hard hitting safety, and lenny.
Then go from there. No question there will be throwbacks this year.
March 14th, 2022 at 8:38 am
Time for Licht and the front office to draft impact starters and players who contribute and not focus on backups in the draft. 2021 draft didn’t help the squad very much at all last season. While other playoff teams had impact draft picks.
LFG!!!!!!
March 14th, 2022 at 8:39 am
Glad to hear Jensens back.
March 14th, 2022 at 8:42 am
And before the team goes to draft a guard or two, get Jensen in on the evaluation process with film and interviews, and get the mans opinion for gawd sakes. It’s called chemistry.
March 14th, 2022 at 8:49 am
Hey Eric nobody is jumping off the skyway these days because you can’t.
They put up a 20 foot fence and that put a stop to that!
Next time you make that drive check it out👍
March 14th, 2022 at 8:51 am
JORDAN WHITEHEAD IS A MUST LITCH PLEASE BE SMART. O also CAPPA n ROBBIE
March 14th, 2022 at 8:51 am
Davis who is a beast from Georgia, and who I would love for the Bucs to draft, will probably be gone when the Bucs pick.
BA said he wanted more speed at DT, and another Georgia defensive lineman with a lot of speed and a lightning fast get off, and who is more likely to be available at #27 is Devontae Wyatt.
Fingers crossed we resign Cappa.
I would love to draft Wyatt in the 1st, and CB or WR3 in the 2nd.
March 14th, 2022 at 9:01 am
With our salary cap and now with Brady resigning, bringing back Gabbert would be a mistake.
He’s a great backup if you can afford it, but I much rather have the Bucs spend the $5 million that they would pay Gabbert on other plays now.
Use that money and free up more space with Licht’s amazing cap magic and resign Cappa, Lombardi Lenny, Suh, Gholston and Whitehead!
March 14th, 2022 at 9:03 am
Stone crab, Mr Munch will be sad to hear that. That used to be his favorite go-to faux insult for those who didn’t agree with him. Sad.
March 14th, 2022 at 9:28 am
Gronk is obviously back, hope the Bucs can get Whitehead too. If they can get Patrick Peterson/Marcus Peters cheaper than Davis, I hope they do that. Need to re-sign the D-line too
March 14th, 2022 at 9:29 am
The Buc’s focus today should be on restructuring contracts, and reaching deals with Whitehead, Cappa, and talking Marpet out of retirement for a year. Cronk is a priority as well, but he’ll sit on the sidelines watching the fun until things calm down. Let Lenny and Davis walk.
March 14th, 2022 at 9:29 am
Gronk
March 14th, 2022 at 9:31 am
Damn- Marpet staying retired.
March 14th, 2022 at 9:31 am
Marpet isn’t coming back but yes kicking cans down the road to maximize the potential of this superbowl window that Brady threw back open should be something we see in free agency
March 14th, 2022 at 9:34 am
Unfortunately, whatever we do….we may be weaker than we were last year…..Brady is the key…..I think we should give him the best offense we can and hope the defense survives……
Gronk & a RB are necessary at the very least….
We will lose Davis….probably Suh & JPP……we can keep Whitehead because he is young enough for a flexible long-term deal….maybe keep Gholston.
I think we’ll see two new kickers….
Our WR corps is in tact with Evans, Godwin, Johnson, Miller, Darden & Grayson
With Brady, all things are possible.
March 14th, 2022 at 9:44 am
TBBF … ‘I think we should give him the best offense we can and hope the defense survives’.
And yet, we lost in last year’s playoffs because of defense according to Joe & others. BUT … we won the 2020 SB largely because of defense those same pundits will usually admit.
MAYBE we need a 2022 defense that can do more than just ‘survive’? Like a LOT more; it needs to be a consistent Top-10 defense that can kick ass & take names.
March 14th, 2022 at 9:49 am
There was alot that happened that caused us to lose in the playoffs more to do with injuries than the defense I believe but I would totally love to see a dominant defense for sure jc Jackson,bj Hill lol probably not but should make for very interesting off-season for the bucs. Tom freaking Brady lfg go bucs!!!
March 14th, 2022 at 10:03 am
Can you imagine Marpet coming back and getting injured… he stays retired. He values life after football more and I respect that.
March 14th, 2022 at 10:07 am
DR
I think we are already seeing the priorities with the Jensen signing….and I suspect Gronk will be next……
Looking back at the Rams game……we were down 27-3…..sounds like an offensive problem to me…..it was actually the defense that got us back int the game….forcing turnovers.
It’s the last play that makes everyone believe our defense lost the game….understandably….but it was a combined effort.
March 14th, 2022 at 10:10 am
The best RB on the market
Draft the best prototypical TE in the draft with the first pick
March 14th, 2022 at 10:13 am
I also think smart move for bucs is to bring a young QB to compete with Trask for the back up spot. Someone like Trubisky, Mariota, Minshew…..Gabbert has zero upside at this point. Trask needs reps and we need some options for the long term. If this short term retirement showed us anything it was the Bucs were ill prepared at QB once Brady walks away. If Gabbert were truly the ideal option to step in, we wouldn’t have let him sit on the streets this long.
March 14th, 2022 at 10:19 am
I think Gronk and Gholston are definitely coming back, I hope we can keep Suh and Whitehead. Thanks for your service JPP. Fournette, although not my favorite has great chemistry with Brady so get him back too.
March 14th, 2022 at 10:19 am
I’m hoping Hainsey can play guard….if not, perhaps he will be a backup center/T…and play the extra heavy package tackle…..we need to get some value from him…..
I agree that Trask should be the primary backup to Brady….enough of Gabbert……bring Griffin back as the 3rd QB because he is cheap & knows the system…..
We will probably not sign Davis so a top pick for a CB will be necessary….then probably a DT to replace Suh if he isn’t resigned.
Maybe Brady will sign a 10 year extension and push all his money to the 10th year.
March 14th, 2022 at 10:36 am
2021 Draft gave us almost nothing in 2021, time for Licht to add some impact rookies as this defense cost us games in 2021.
March 14th, 2022 at 10:40 am
C’mon Jason. Get those contracts restructured! Your all-nighter needed to be a lot more productive and less inebriate than mine. Show us the results!
And to me, Playoff Lenny is at least as much a priority as Gronk, and more than anyone else. The man blossomed in 2021, as a player and a leader. Show him the love with a long term deal that can be cap friendly.
Then JL can see how much Lev Bell will command in FA – he looked smooth for coming in off the street and not knowing the playbook. Take the lesser expensive of he and Gio.
March 14th, 2022 at 10:41 am
Thanks for answering question joes. That makes sense.
You guys are pumped. Love it. I kinda thought this year would suck really bad
But we have a chance when brady is qb. No reason bucs cant get to super bowl again.
Look at bradys history over last 10 years or so:
It literally alternates between superbowl to playoff game the next year and back to superbowl the next year etc et.
Well that means super bowl up for this year. 😂
March 14th, 2022 at 11:16 am
Instead of paying premium for a slot wr i’d try to draft as high as possible. Preferably 2nd or 3rd round. Cb te wr in the first 3 rounds. Dline oline lb to finish out this years draft. The bad part is, is that we are picking low every round.
March 14th, 2022 at 11:17 am
They’ll keep everyone except fornette and jpp … Fornette isn’t as good as everyone makes him out to be and is replaceable and jpp has FINALLY had enough of this game and should retire!! I hate to say that about jpp cuz he was such a good locker room presence … Maybe they can hire him on as D-line coach? That would be awesome!!
March 14th, 2022 at 11:24 am
Ask Tom Brady about Lenny. Not that Brady would know anything more than a Pasco County genius. And it’s Fournette. If you’re going to disrespect the man at least spell his name right.
March 14th, 2022 at 12:13 pm
They can take their time re-signing Gronkowski…he’s not going anywhere.
March 14th, 2022 at 12:16 pm
I’m worried about the DLine/ pass rush. The rush has to improve!
March 14th, 2022 at 1:07 pm
@Goatfarmer
Agree with you about Fornette.
Remember, Pasco is changing. With Wesley Chapel, Pasco is becoming the New Tampa.
March 14th, 2022 at 1:16 pm
Not sure what his price will be but Landry from the Browns might be a great #3 as well as potential hedge for Godwin if we cant get a long term deal done.
March 14th, 2022 at 1:57 pm
Remember we will get draft picks for cappa likely Davis n who ever we lose to other teams…Jason drafts well in the 3rd round for oline..I say grate is cap casualty.
I still don’t get how we have no cap space…suh jpp 20 mil marpet like 12mil ..give or take 32 mil ab was what 2 mil 34 mil
Cappa Golhsone like 6mil = 40 mil… I can keep doing this…plus they increased cap for all teams I’m lost in the sauce.
I think we should trade Shaq barret ..use his money to bring back suh n white head..then use the draft picks to replace him or find a free agent cheap. The dline is on vita right now by the way… no golhston no suh no jpp..Shaq still there but what’s his value??
I like Shaq but last year he didn’t dominate like he’s getting paid.
I rework David n Mike’s contracts right now they are team guys…I cut brate see what the market offers him of nothing resign for the low.
Chris godwin needs to stop trying to juice us n show some love to his team he’s not a number 1 could he be maybe but he’s not on this team.
I think he super talented.. but injury prone and benefits from Mike being his 1.
March 14th, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Not a popular opinion – but it is time to jettison Godwin, at least from a franchise tag perspective. He’s not worth 19 million, if someone else signs him, so be it. We can sign another WR that fits that role for much less and save that cash. There are lots of free agent WR out there that would sign a one year deal to play with Brady for a reasonable price
March 14th, 2022 at 9:18 pm
Love Suh and JPP, but they are too far past prime and worn out. Replace with two bigtime edge rushers on a good FA list: Chandler Jones, Von Miller, Jerry Hughes, Melvin Ingram, Akiem Hicks, Justin Houston, etc. Devote a high draft pick to Ebikete, described as Shaq Barrett 2.0