Contract Guru: “No Chance” Antoine Winfield Jr. Doesn’t Surpass $20 Million Per Year
November 2nd, 2023
Four guys on the Bucs expect massive contracts this offseason.
There’s Mike Evans, the greatest wide receiver in Bucs history, along with fading savior linebacker Devin White and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. All will be free agents after the season.
And then there’s beastly left/right tackle Tristan Wirfs. In February, he’ll be entering the final year of his rookie contract, a common time to give a superstar player a contract extension.
Mike Ginitti, a chief data guru at reliable NFL salary website Spotrac.com, hopped on WDAE radio this week and was pressed to share his thoughts on whether any of those players — or all? — might return to Tampa Bay next season.
Ginitti dropped one fat gem with his reply: He confessed that Spotrac has a salary algorithim that recently spit out a contract projection for Wirfs at $28 million per year.
Don’t buy that massive number? Ginitti said the same Spotrac algorithm was dead on accurate predicting the five–year, $117.5 million contract extension given to New York Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas, who was in Wirfs’ draft class.
Ginitti also said Winfield is a slam-dunk, top-of-the-market free agent.
“There’s no chance Winfield doesn’t surpass Derwin James here at $20 million a year,” Ginitti said. “Top of the market guarantees and everything like that.”
Joe took pause at these huge numbers. These guys are deserving, but damn.
Ginitti explained that a team paying a safety that kind of money is typically one ready to compete immediately.
Ginitti also added that White still has time to improve his season and command big money, based on other inside linebackers in recent. And he said Mike Evans could command $25 million per season on the market, similar to Stefon Diggs’ new deal with the Bills.
Is it possible the Bucs wave goodbye to everyone but Wirfs and rebuild the team?
November 2nd, 2023 at 3:03 pm
Rebuild the team! Keep wirfs and Winfield
November 2nd, 2023 at 3:07 pm
Hmmm can we find a running back who could command that kind of salary.
The Bucs know they need to draft a quarterback, rookie salary while these contracts play off. Neither one of these quarterbacks will be on this roster next year. Maybe wolford
November 2nd, 2023 at 3:11 pm
White, gone. He’s just not that good.
Wirfs and Winfield, they get paid. Evans gets paid.
November 2nd, 2023 at 3:12 pm
Wtf? Wave goodbye? If that’s the case they should have been sellers yesterday
November 2nd, 2023 at 3:14 pm
Then go out and get a G with some teeth and some strength. And a C who does not get pushed around like a fat rag doll. Get a RB who iOS not afraid of getting hit.
Get a HC who has some fire in his belly.
And for all you people who think everything would be different if Trask was playing, get a grip. That OL is so bad, no one could perform behind it.
November 2nd, 2023 at 3:17 pm
Winfield is playing at an All Pro level. That will demand All Pro money. Paying these guys makes sense if they can draft their next franchise QB since that guy isn’t on the roster.
November 2nd, 2023 at 3:22 pm
pay the man!
if not, have ME sign his checks over to AW
November 2nd, 2023 at 3:27 pm
With those sort of contracts, will not be easy to build a medium term reliable roster with no QB!!!
Devin White, seeee yaaa
November 2nd, 2023 at 3:30 pm
“pay the man”
4 outta 3 people struggle with math.
November 2nd, 2023 at 3:35 pm
We really should have stripped things down this year. just looked at overthecap.com and in the year 2025 we have a ton of dead cap again. 74 million in dead cap from voided contracts. Godwin and Davis will prob resign and spread out that money but Jenson and Barrett are 11,801,000 and 29,433,000 caps hits that year from the voided contracts.
November 2nd, 2023 at 3:40 pm
Some people struggle to balance their own check book, but give financial advice, to billion dollar sports franchises, lol
November 2nd, 2023 at 3:41 pm
Dang. Would love the Bucs to Keep Winfield, but that number is staggering. He is really a great player. Whirfs is a no brainer though.
Devin White. LOL. BYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
November 2nd, 2023 at 3:41 pm
Winfield and Wirfs got to be top priority both are young still. As much as I love Evans and don’t want to see him go. If we can’t pay him then we have no other choice but to let him go and Diva White is not even worth talking about he should have already been traded after last off season stunt.
November 2nd, 2023 at 3:54 pm
Pay everybody the max. Make ticket prices higher, and more commercials.
60 minutes of football is already 3 and a half hours. Lets make em 5 hours.
November 2nd, 2023 at 4:03 pm
Mike Evans will remain in Tampa Bay! Period! The End! I have spoke!
November 2nd, 2023 at 4:16 pm
All but White will be here next year.
White will go to whatever team hires Bowles as DC.
November 2nd, 2023 at 4:18 pm
For a safety? Damn inflation.
November 2nd, 2023 at 4:19 pm
Uhhmmm broke the CSS
November 2nd, 2023 at 4:20 pm
2…………get contracts…
1…………gets franchised…
1…………is told to “gtfoh”…
you guys can figure out who’s the odd man out
November 2nd, 2023 at 4:23 pm
There is zero chance you let Winfield walk… even if you need to franchise him and work it out later. Even if you want to let him walk and rebuild, trade him for a first rounder and use that to rebuild. Not really a fan of spending that kind of coin on a safety but he might be worth every penny. He makes plays.
November 2nd, 2023 at 4:23 pm
Absolutely no one with any sense would think its not richly deserved as well
November 2nd, 2023 at 4:30 pm
THE UNSPOKEN PRINCIPLE OF NFL CONTRACTS
Anytime you read a player has become the highest paid at their position, you can automatically cross that team off the contender list for the next two years.
The NFL is about balance, complimentary football, and depth. When 1-2 guys soak up the majority of the cap, it come out of other players’ pockets.
November 2nd, 2023 at 4:38 pm
Keep Evans and Winfield. Wirfs can be paid next year. let White, Davis, Dean and Barrett go.
November 2nd, 2023 at 4:40 pm
Sign a FA corner or 2 and draft a CB. How many int’s do our corners have for the price we are paying.
November 2nd, 2023 at 4:55 pm
@ Andrew Fish
I agree.
Most fans believe the Bucs cap hell ended this season… lol.
True the Bucs should have @ $65M under the cap in 2024 – however – the Bucs will only have @ 30 players under contract and that includes Jenson, Gage, Davis and Shaq Barrett who all may be gone as well…
So our GM will need to sign 23-27 players for $65M and we will also need to sign a QB if we don’t draft one.
So our GM will need to add at least 2
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:08 pm
Anybody else see Leonard Fournette for the Bills?
He looks like a total beast.
While we have “Twinkle Toes” White.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:11 pm
Winfield is worth it but how much money does this team want to tie up in one position group? Didn’t Davis and Dean just get big contracts? Davis got like 3yrs $44mil with $24mil guaranteed. 2024 cap hit $14mil? Dean got a 4yr $52mil contract with $24mil guaranteed and a 2024 cap hit of $12mil. I guess they could structure Winfield with a big singing bonus and low base salary for 2024. But in 2025 you would have three players in one position group pulling close to $14million each? Roast me if Im wrong but that seems like a lot for what I’m seeing from this secondary.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:20 pm
This is why pretending they’d be competing for the division this year was just about the dumbest thing they could do long term. Could have been one year of pain in exchange for the premium draft capital to fuel a quick turnaround. Now, because we just had to do everything we could to save a third-rate head coaches precious job, it’s going to be much longer and much more painful than it had to be.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:23 pm
Normally I agree but what more important position group than defensive backfield facing all these passing offenses? Winfield is a must keep player.
Evans will need to find $25m elsewhere.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:33 pm
I doubt it is this simple, but common sense at this point would tell me.
Winfield and Evans will either get a new deal or Franchised.
Wirfs will be asked to play on his 5th year option, much like Devin White and Evans playing out the final year of his contract.
Devin, sorry about your luck, but I hear the Cardinals have plenty of money to blow.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:35 pm
Worth every penny.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:41 pm
Joe says:
Is it possible the Bucs wave goodbye to everyone but Wirfs and rebuild the team?
If they were planning on doing that, why not trade Evans and white? Instead, just let them walk? I don’t see it.
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:51 pm
Wirfs will walk after the rook contract is up. To many offers of equal or more pay along with super bowl ready teams. I wonder where he dreamt of playing as a kid…
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:51 pm
Why would anyone trade for White when they can just grab him post-season?
That being said, the earlier you sign Wirfs and Winfield to long deals the cheaper those deals will be
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:54 pm
Could Wirfs will be Donnie’s replacement protecting Mahomes?
November 2nd, 2023 at 5:57 pm
Wirfs and Winfield are the only players worth keeping. Also sign LVD for one more year. Evans and White should’ve been traded but definitely not re-signing. Hopefully the new regime will draft a 1st round QB and get RBs a TE and 2 OLBs.
November 2nd, 2023 at 6:12 pm
Lucky for the Bucs, they never ever have to be worried about paying top of the market Quarterback money.
November 2nd, 2023 at 6:14 pm
Since we’re not paying a butt load for a quarterback, we might as well be paying a buttload for all these guys.
November 2nd, 2023 at 6:34 pm
Never mind that one. Whoops
November 2nd, 2023 at 6:51 pm
Joe, you do realize you just caused half of central Florida a terrible case of indigestion. I think I’m gonna be sick….URRERPP!
November 2nd, 2023 at 7:19 pm
Let White walk, figure out a way to keep Evans, Wirfs and Winfield. Wirfs and Winfield are the future and Evans has been maybe the best team first guy since the Bucs drafted him. No way should they let Evans walk.
November 2nd, 2023 at 7:20 pm
I think it all depends on how the season plays out.
If this team misses the playoffs and continues is not building anything towards the future… you reset the whole team from GM down.
In that case:
1. Wirfs
2. Winny II
November 2nd, 2023 at 7:55 pm
Hell no Joe!
Tristan for sure
Winfield Jr. Absolutely
Mike? Maybe, maybe not.
White? Byeeeeeeee
November 2nd, 2023 at 7:56 pm
Maybe we can keep Lavonte another year, say goodbye to White, and Mr. Dennis can lean from the master for one season.
November 2nd, 2023 at 8:02 pm
Can’t figure out for the life of me why theybare waiting on Winfield. It’s only going up sign him already
November 2nd, 2023 at 8:08 pm
Love Wirfs and AWJ. It’s just a tough pill to swallow that all our remaining salary cap space next year will be dedicated to signing the same players that are already contributing to a mediocre team. After dropping $50M +, will this team be any better in 2024?
November 2nd, 2023 at 8:23 pm
Evans and white won’t be here next yr.
I think Mike has already checked out TBH
November 2nd, 2023 at 9:23 pm
Watching Henry get them tough yards tonight. Ya’ll are crazy if you don’t think a good running back makes a difference. Titans O-line is garbage.
November 2nd, 2023 at 9:45 pm
Dewey Selmon
Agreed. If you’re trying to free up some cash CDIII and Davis are not worth what they get paid and if anyone is getting sluggish with age it’s Shaq, not ME.
November 2nd, 2023 at 9:50 pm
Should have traded Mike……..
People don’t like realities but that’s what needed to happen.
Also Devin White shouldn’t even get an offer from this team.
He has one or two good games a year and looks extremely pedestrian the other 15 games.
November 2nd, 2023 at 9:52 pm
*CDIII and Dean
November 2nd, 2023 at 10:06 pm
Wirfs and Winfield do not leave the building, period. White can go miss tackles elsewhere, we have already gotten his best games in the NFL. Evans would need to take a team friendly deal. He’s getting old and drops too many balls. RB, QB, HC, and OC are most pressing needs outside of those 4.
November 2nd, 2023 at 10:18 pm
Keep Wirfs, let the rest walk if they don’t take a home town discount. Dump slow plodding Evans and dim witted Devin White.
November 2nd, 2023 at 10:29 pm
Devin White will move on. Wirfs and winfield are the priority.
November 2nd, 2023 at 10:38 pm
Cue all the idiots that haven’t kept up with the cap and current contracts and they’re OUTRAGED!
November 2nd, 2023 at 11:14 pm
YOU MISSED ONE…
You missed the fact that the Bucs will be forced to pay Baker Mayfield $20M+/year for playing mediocre this year.
THIS was the risk many of us Trask supporters were warning about. The danger was Mayfield played decent but not great. It will be enough Fool’s Gold to make the Bucs give him a huge contract to keep him.
THIS is why the move is to see what they have in Trask who has another year on a cheap rookie deal. If Trask stinks it up you shift towards drafting the QB of the future. Of Trask shines then he’s your future QB.
November 2nd, 2023 at 11:28 pm
Baker, Todd and Jason will be somewhere else next yr
November 2nd, 2023 at 11:29 pm
Who had Kwon Alexander making a game clinching interception to end the TNF game!?
November 2nd, 2023 at 11:59 pm
It will play itself out in the wash. Would be wise to keep all of your decent offensive players, and in particular when most of your salary is allocated to dead money and the defense, causing unnecessary analysis as to why the offense stinks. Its a SCORING league.
November 3rd, 2023 at 6:49 am
When the coaching and or scheme doesnt produce results with top paid talent then what’s the point? Bowles Zone scheme failures hamstring the secondary. The lack of pass rush negates the talent in the back field. The inability to run block screws the balance of the playcalling making Evans a high priced dude on a dud offense. Godwin too. What’s the point of paying Wirfs and ‘Toine if you’re O can’t muster 21 points? The organization needs to look in the mirror. David is gone soon, Evans is gone soon. Winfield or Wirfs or White and probably 2 of the 3 probably are unable to be retained because Dean and Davis are making bank. Are you going to have the HIGHEST paid secondary in Football and score 13 points? Why? What’s the point? I LOVE OUR guys. But the organization hasn’t had success with bright star players. They need a dominant TEAM and COACHING. Paying Winfield Dean White and Davis makes this a Defensive minded coach’s wet dream for the next 5 yrs. Gonna be hard to find balance when a coach is hamstrung by being unable to find balance in the available talent.. i’d hate to have to make the decisions. But paying Dean and Davis was assinine based on their lack of production and ability to implement Bowles’ zone scheme.
November 3rd, 2023 at 7:25 am
Wirfs is going to get paid. Winfield will be franchised tag. Evan will not command as high dollar as his agent believes. Not because of talent but because of age. White, will be let go and should command descent money due to is young age and potential to be a top 5 LB.
November 3rd, 2023 at 7:57 am
I don’t see the point of franchising Winfield, it’ll just delay the inevitable, and at a higher price
November 3rd, 2023 at 9:00 am
There is no chance we wave good bye and start over. JL is a competitor. I think we have a chance to sign all for. At least 3. Bucs front office has already shown they can work wonders with the cap. Wirfs is so young that we can play around with restructures on him at low risk.
November 3rd, 2023 at 2:08 pm
What’s that guy’s name in Seattle? The guy they paid a ton and traded first rounders for? Or the guy on the Chargers, from FSU?
Great players but safeties don’t last long enough playing at a super high level to build defenses around, imo. Maybe Ronnie Lott and Ed Reed.