The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done a great job this offseason in keeping their own stars in house. It appears as though they might be close to adding to that list with a massive name.
According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the sides are actively working on an extension and there is optimism that an agreement will be reached.
While it's expected they would try to work out an extension at some point this offseason, given Winfield, Jr. received the franchise tag from the team last month, extensions can be complicated. Sides can often be reportedly to be far apart on their positions.
However, it sounds like Winfield, Jr. could soon become the eighth of nine players tagged this offseason to agree to an extension. Only Tee Higgins would remain, and he is currently reportedly seeking a trade.
Winfield, Jr. had a contract year to end all contract years last season. He put forth one of the greatest seasons by a safety of the twenty-first century, finishing with 122 combined tackles, 6 sacks, a league-best 6 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 3 interceptions, and 12 passes defended. He became the first defensive back since 2000 with 6 sacks and 6 forced fumbles in a season. He's also the only player since the data became available in 1999 with at least 100 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 3 forced fumbles in a season.
Despite one of the most impactful seasons by a defensive back in recent history, he was passed over in the NFL's glorified popularity contest also known as the Pro Bowl in favor of Arizona's Budda Baker. Baker finished with 87 total tackles with no sacks, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, or interceptions in 12 games. However, the Associated Press voters had far more sense and selected Winfield, Jr. as a first team All-Pro safety.
He'll get paid like one, too. The current top of the market safety is the Los Angeles Chargers' Derwin James, who's annual average value of his current four-year contract is a touch over $19 million. Winfield, Jr. should come in somewhere over that, especially after his historic 2023 campaign.
Winfield, Jr. is just beginning to reach his potential as a star in this league. Fortunately for Buccaneer fans, it sounds as though that will continue to take place in Tampa Bay.
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