Buccaneers’ Jamel Dean Takes Pay Cut, Future With Team In Question

Jamel Dean’s future with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been a topic of discussion for several seasons, and a recent contract restructure suggests his time with the team may be coming to an end.

According to PewterReport, Dean took a significant pay cut, reducing his $12.5 million salary, in exchange for becoming a free agent in 2026 rather than 2027.

According to Greg Auman of FOX Sports, Dean’s contract restructure will reduce his 2025 salary by $8 million, resulting in a base salary of $4.25 million with up to $750,000 in potential playing incentives.

The significant pay cut strongly suggests that Dean’s future with the Buccaneers is all but decided. Dean’s pay cut gives him the benefit of becoming a free agent a year early, in 2026, rather than 2027. It also potentially makes him a more attractive trade candidate for a team looking to bolster their roster before the deadline, with his reduced $4.25 million salary being more manageable than his original $12.5 million.

This development also has immediate implications. With the team apparently moving on and Dean opting for a potential change of scenery, cornerback Benjamin Morrison, the team’s second-round draft pick, may take over Dean’s role sooner than expected. Given Dean’s struggles in Week 1 against the Falcons, where he earned a 59.2 pass coverage grade, Morrison’s promotion could happen as early as Week 2.

The BR Rub 

6’1 Defensive Backs don’t grow on trees. But size doesn’t always matter, right guys? We aren’t here trying to say Jamel Dean sucks, because he doesn’t. What we, and apparently the Bucs think is, Dean’s play isn’t matching up with his salary.