This past season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — led by 2018 first-round overall pick Baker Mayfield — were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL this season, taking the NFC South for a third consecutive season and going as far as the NFC Divisional Round.
Following Tampa Bay’s productive season, what should head coach Todd Bowles’ bunch do during the free agency period? Below are three Buccaneers’ free agency predictions.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Free Agency Predictions
Re-Sign QB Baker Mayfield
Playing for his fourth team in two years, Mayfield took the Buccaneers to the second round of the playoffs, almost making it a no-brainer of a choice to come back in 2024.
On a Good Morning Footballepisode from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Bowles said re-signing his quarterback is an “extremely high priority, obviously.”
“You know, we got a couple days before the league year begins, but we love Baker (Mayfield). Baker had a heck of a year for us. He fit right in with us all the way around,” Bowles went on to say.
The question now remains how many years the Buccaneers elect to give Mayfield if he is the starting guy moving forward.
Sign Antoine Winfield Jr. to a Long-Term Extension
Now that the Buccaneers have re-signed WR Mike Evans, their next priority, along with keeping Mayfield, should be giving arguably their best defensive player a long-term contract extension.
At just 25 years old and a Super Bowl under his belt, as well, Antoine Winfield Jr. had a career year in 2023, posting six forced fumbles, six sacks, three interceptions, and 76 solo tackles.
The Buccaneers can give Winfield the franchise tag and keep him under contract for another season. But with the 2024 salary cap for each franchise already announced, GM Jason Licht would like to work out a long-term deal to make sure Winfield remains one of the defense’s cornerstone pieces.
Bring Back Long-Time LB Lavonte David
After being drafted in 2012, Lavonte David has been a Buccaneer for life. This past season, the former second-round selection showed he still has playmaking ability left in the tank, contributing 4.5 sacks, 86 solo tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and five hits on an opposing team’s quarterback.
It’s always important to keep veteran guys around a younger locker room, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see David remain in Tampa Bay in 2024.
KEEP READING: Atlanta Falcons Free Agency Predictions 2024
Appearing in late February on Good Morning Football, David spoke about how although it is his desire to retire as a Buccaneers linebacker, he doesn’t rule out playing for another team next season.
“You never know what can happen,” David said. “There is a lot of mutual respect [between] me and the Buccaneers organization. A lot of things have to happen. You just never know. You never know.”
Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!