The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered free agency with two main priorities: re-sign wide receiver Mike Evans, and re-sign quarterback Baker Mayfield.
They achieved both goals. Not only that, but they managed to franchise tag safety Antoine Winfield Jr. while also retaining linebacker Lavonte David
On Wednesday, general manager Jason Licht proudly boasted about his team’s success in keeping all of its key free agents.
“This is one of the greatest free agency hauls ever, and it’s our own guys,” Licht said, via Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times. “We have some Hall of Famers in there — Mike, Lavonte — it has been incredible. … I think it is time that the national media realize we have some great players.”
The Buccaneers were one of the NFL’s most pleasant surprises this past season, winning the NFC South division title and then proceeding to rout the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs.
Tampa Bay would then ultimately lose to the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round, but it played the Lions tough on the road and showed some positive signs heading into 2024.
Of course, it won’t be so easy for the Bucs to replicate their success next season.
The Atlanta Falcons have signed quarterback Kirk Cousins and will represent a difficult challenge for the Buccaneers within the division. Plus, the NFC will be rough in general. The San Francisco 49ers aren’t going anywhere, the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles reside in the NFC East and the Green Bay Packers are an up and coming juggernaut that just signed star running back Josh Jacobs.
That being said, the Buccaneers have to feel pretty good about what they have been able to accomplish in the early stages of the offseason.
There is still a long way to go. Free agency is not yet over, trades could happen and we have the NFL Draft at the end of next month.
But for now, Licht is right to revel in the front office’s nifty maneuvering.
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