Williams Could Be Targeting $7 Million Annually
January 29th, 2013
When Joe wrote about Mike Williams sniffing a new contract yesterday, Joe figured Williams might score an extension in the three-year, $15-million range. Williams’ paltry rookie contract — fourth-round picks don’t earn much — expires after the 2013 season.
But it seems more cash will be in the sights of Williams and his agent. Contract guru Evan Silva, of ProFootballTalk.com, writes today that Williams should be expensive.
Jackson makes $11 million a year. Williams should target Robert Meachem’s $6.5 million annual average as a baseline in negotiations. He’ll probably aim for $7 million a year or more.
The national chatter about Williams comes on the heels of Woody Cummings’ Tampa Tribune report today that says the Bucs’ and Williams have started negotiating a new deal.
Joe hopes the two sides can hammer out a deal. Williams has earned it. However, Joe wonders whether the Bucs might target a receiver in the NFL Draft, if they can’t get Williams’ signature this offseason. Arrelious Benn and Tiquan Underwood also will hit unrestricted free agency after next season.
January 29th, 2013 at 6:57 pm
Pay the man!! Mike Williams, Doug Martin, nicks & davin are the young squad we need to keep. 3/4 down, mike to go!!
January 29th, 2013 at 6:59 pm
Dominick needs to sign the only find that he has found in the draft. Everyone should at least have 1 good thing on there resume. This will be the pop-stars.
January 29th, 2013 at 7:02 pm
I love Mike, his body control and physical play earn him the money.
Let Benn walk, keep Tiquan though!
January 29th, 2013 at 7:18 pm
Like Bennett, Mike is a must sign IMO
Get it done Dom!!!
January 29th, 2013 at 7:23 pm
How will the contract, if agreed to 7 mil a year affect our cap? Will it be 35mil – 7mil? I just don’t have an understanding of how salary affects our cap space.
January 29th, 2013 at 7:32 pm
Contract should be around 5 years 35mil with a 15mil signing bonus. Most of the Bucs contracts are front loaded so his salary will probably drop to 4mil by the 3rd or 4th year.
January 29th, 2013 at 7:33 pm
Just posted in the other threat before seeing this one so ill post again.
Here’s a bit of odd news. Just read that the Bucs are working on Mike Wills contract extension. I agree that we need to keep Mike but why worry about a guy who is still under contract when we have more pressing issues like Bennett? Maybe Im reading to much into it but… can’t be a good sign for Bennett.
January 29th, 2013 at 7:43 pm
@SilenceTheCritics
because mike has been productive his three years he’s averaging 65 catches 911 yards and 8 td’s the three years he’s been here. you don’t let your core players go into free agency, Bennett has not been as productive as Mike.
January 29th, 2013 at 7:47 pm
@William
Bennett may not of been as productive as Mike but he has been the most productive member of our D-Line. Which isnt saying much but letting one of your best players go after working so hard to find a guy who can and has produced and is continually getting better is a bad idea. Bowers MIGHT be able to replace him but thats not a sure thing at this point. Now if Bennett is asking for to much money i can understand that. Just wish we would hear something already. Is the off season over yet? lol
January 29th, 2013 at 7:56 pm
You Go Joe,
Pop a cold one and read! See questions 1.7a – 1.7e. Hope this helps!
http://www.askthecommish.com/salarycap/FAQ.aspx
January 29th, 2013 at 8:37 pm
Whatever Mike gets he should credit it all to V-Jax for saving his career. When Mike was in the #1 spot in 2011 he couldn’t separate from the opposing teams cornerbacks shadow. Now that he’s in the #2 spot he’s all-world. 7 million might even be somewhat generous considering.
January 29th, 2013 at 8:39 pm
@JobBucsFan 1.5
He also had Free throwing him the ball which did him no favors.
January 29th, 2013 at 9:04 pm
When defenses only have to focus on 1 person because your team is that bad it’s not on that one person. Mike had no real help that season.
January 29th, 2013 at 9:10 pm
Would take me 200 years in the Marines to make that lol. But thats normal #2 WR money, so I bet he gets it.
January 29th, 2013 at 9:31 pm
@ Silence,
Woah, brosef, Free had a terrible pass defense, not his fault he is as inaccurate as phuck.
January 29th, 2013 at 9:36 pm
@PRBucFan
True, he was double teamed a lot that year. It sill doesn’t take away the fact that V-Jax’s presence has helped his cause monetarily speaking.
January 29th, 2013 at 10:09 pm
I don’t think the new contract should affect Bennetts contact at all. Mikes still got one year left, this is just an extension to that existing contract so new incentives shouldn’t kick in until 2014. I think….
January 29th, 2013 at 10:16 pm
I’d give Williams $7 million a year before I gave Bennett that same amount. Williams can catch balls that no other recivers on this team can. If Bennett, Clayborn, and Bowers are all healthy, Bennett is #3 in that group.
January 29th, 2013 at 10:19 pm
Oh yea there’s no doubt of that.
I just can’t hold that season against Mike.
I believe he’s probably in the top handful as far as possession receivers in the league goes.
As far as jumping up and snatching that ball there are few IMO I’d rather have on our team.
January 29th, 2013 at 11:40 pm
The Bucs will win the Super Bowl next year!I will keep posting this until this time next year when it happens.I know you all think Im crazy but you will all see.Is their anyone that is with me.
January 30th, 2013 at 12:02 am
bucobruce, as long as Free is playing balls out, we take care of our DB situation, address RT, get a productive TE, a RB to rest Doug here and there….and as long as Coach stops playing so conservative and manages the game clock (looking at you too Free)….then Im with you.
Our guys represented us better than any other team’s guys in that pro bowl. We’ve got something here. But if Free collapses, hang it up.
January 30th, 2013 at 12:38 am
Another solid draft and free agency to retool this defense to top ten form an we can’t b stoped I’m with u on that one
January 30th, 2013 at 12:42 am
6 last year and another 6 this year plugs every hole back up rb, starting te, and a “TRUE” slot receiver locks up the offense a new strong side lb free safety and number one corner makes us a complete team praying to stay healthy….. Championship!!!!
January 30th, 2013 at 1:15 am
Guys, don’t forget, we have a really tough schedule this year. Not only do we have to play the usual suspects of Brees, Ryan, Newton twice. We have to contend with the likes of Kaepernick at home, and Wilson, Brady, and Stafford away. Unless we can turn our defense completely around, I’m thinking we will end up somewhere around possibly 9 – 7 to 10 – 6. It is imperative that Dominik and Schiano work on getting the right defensive players first and foremost. Everyone who keeps saying grab offensive players first are kidding themselves. Our team was able to score on average 32 points a game last year. That’s enough to win most games but we need some defense to stop them from keeping pace with us.
January 30th, 2013 at 1:29 am
sorry …make that 25 points per game
January 30th, 2013 at 1:31 am
Throw out the 2 really bad games and it was a 32 point average
January 30th, 2013 at 2:51 am
If he’s gonna command $7 Milli per year…wait 1 more year to pay him while he’s still on the cheap for 2013 season
January 30th, 2013 at 6:04 am
Need to lock him up. One of the best young WR in the game. For those who are worried about Bennett the Bucs can negotiate with more than one person at a time. I am sure they are doing the same with him. If we do lose Bennett it will have nothing to do with a contract extension with Mike Williams.
January 30th, 2013 at 5:11 pm
Pay him!
Hes worth it.
His body control, and quck cutting ability are really special. He is a unique athlete. He plays alot of basketball.
Mike Williams is worth it. Sign him!