After a 2020 season that saw them win their second Super Bowl, what is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ salary cap situation entering the 2021 NFL season? Let’s take a look at the Buccaneers’ salary cap situation, as well as which players they could release, restructure, or extend to create additional salary cap space in 2021.
The Buccaneers project to be around $19 million under the salary cap in 2021
As of March 6, the 2021 NFL salary cap projects to be around $185 million. The Buccaneers will carry over $4.6 million in cap space to the 2021 season, as well as having a $5.0 million adjustment applied to their cap per Spotrac. Therefore, the Buccaneers’ current salary cap projects to be $184.6 million.
As it stands, the Buccaneers have around $164.7 million in commitments to their top 51 highest-paid players, with an additional $800,000 in dead money. As such, the Buccaneers are currently around $19.0 million under the salary cap heading into 2021.
To view the most up-to-date numbers for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ salary cap space, check out our team by team 2021 salary cap space article, which is updated daily.
Tampa Bay has a couple of potential options for releasing players
The Buccaneers’ cap space situation in 2021 does not seem to be an issue. However, they have several key players set to become free agents. This includes the likes of Shaquil Barrett, Chris Godwin, and Lavonte David. Therefore, the Buccaneers likely need to create additional salary cap space in 2021.
Could the Buccaneers restructure their tight end situation?
Rob Gronkowski is a free agent this offseason. However, that does not mean Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard are secure in their place on this roster.
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Brate is due to count $6.5 million against the cap, none of which is guaranteed. Meanwhile, Howard is also scheduled for a non-guaranteed $6 million. Therefore, the Buccaneers could save $12.5 million by releasing both of them and perhaps err towards young tight ends on cheap contracts as potential replacements.
Would the Buccaneers consider moving on from William Gholston?
With Ndamukong Suh and Barrett set to become free agents, the Buccaneers may not want to reduce their DL further. The Buccaneers could save $5.5 million in 2021 salary cap space if they move on from William Gholston this offseason.
Although Gholston is coming off of a season where he played 57 percent of the snaps and recorded 3 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, and 20 QB hits, the Buccaneers may decide to keep him around.
The Buccaneers have players they can extend or restructure to create cap space in 2021
The Buccaneers have the option to open cap space by getting creative with their restructures and extensions this offseason.
Will Tom Brady sign an extension or take a pay cut?
At this point in his career, it is clear what Tom Brady wants. He wants to win a Super Bowl, and he is seemingly willing to take less-than-market money to make it happen. Brady is about to count $28.4 million against the Buccaneers’ salary cap in 2021. However, if Brady is willing to slash his pay, the Buccaneers could reduce that cap number by as much as he is willing.
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The other option would be for the Bucs to extend Brady’s contract. That would allow them to move some of the money owed this season into future years.
The Buccaneers have multiple players to consider extending on the offensive line
The Buccaneers have three offensive linemen entering the final year of their contracts. Left tackle Donovan Smith expects to count $14.3 million against the salary cap this season. Extending him could open the opportunity for Tampa Bay to save around $10.6 million.
Center Ryan Jensen has a $10 million cap number in 2021. Tampa Bay can reduce around $7.1 million of that cap number with an extension for him.
The third option is right guard Alex Cappa. His contract carries a $2.4 million charge against the cap, with potential savings of $1 million with an extension. In total, the Buccaneers could open up around $18.1 million in cap space by extending all three of these offensive linemen.
Who could be restructure candidates for the Buccaneers in 2021?
Cornerback Carlton Davis and safety Jordan Whitehead are both due for an extension. However, with a combined cap number of $5.4 million, the Buccaneers would only save $2 million in total by extending both.
Mike Evans has three years remaining on his contract with the Buccaneers. Evans has a cap number of $16.6 million for the Buccaneers in 2021. The Bucs could move around $7.5 million of that into the remainder of the deal.
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The structure of Evans’ contract makes it tough to move on from him in 2022 already. Therefore, moving money into that season and doubling down while their championship window is open would make a lot of sense.
Ali Marpet also has three years remaining on his deal. In 2021, he counts $12.0 million against the Buccaneers’ salary cap. However, the Buccaneers could save around $6 million in cap space with a contract restructure. With Marpet making an average of just below $12 million in the next two seasons, the Buccaneers have the flexibility to push money into future seasons.
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