The champion team must execute a good recruitment plan in the “free agency” of its own team
TAMPA, Florida – Now that confetti has settled in after the victory Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV, work begins to try to repeat itself in 2021 already more clearly on the financial status of the league for the new year.
The NFL announced Thursday that the minimum wage cap will be 180 million in 2021, up from 175 in 2020. The wage cap has not yet been finalized, but for reference, it has been set at 198.2 million in 2020, and With new agreements from On in the future, NFL homeowners appear to be more inclined to borrow in the coming years, rather than risk a major drop in the ceiling, which would significantly affect the free agency.
With about $ 30 million in the maximum space, Bucs’ highest priority is to sign his own, even if other free agents from outside express his desire to play seven-time Super Bowl winner. Tom Brady. It will not be financially feasible to bring everyone back or give everyone what they want. They will have to restructure some current transactions, probably borrow from the coming years, and build on Brady’s ability to persuade his colleagues to make sacrifices for the greater good. They will be able to retain more of their important players.
Here’s a look at their best free agents and an idea of where they’ll end up.
piling
Lavonte David, linebacker
Considered the “heart and soul” of the Bucs locker room, many in the organization believe that David, a second-round pick for the Bucs in 2012, should never wear another uniform. Coach Bruce Arians pointed out before the Super Bowl that David “is not going anywhere.” Also, his teammate Devin White stressed that he would not play without him and together they formed probably the best line tandem in the league.
David was second on the team in approaches (117) and loss approaches (14) behind White. Even after nine seasons, at 31, David plays at a high level. He earned $ 10.75 million last season. This number will increase, but … when?
Bobby Wagner of the Seattle Seahawks is the highest paid defender in the league, averaging $ 18 million a year and is 30, but his contract is overdue. Wagner’s maximum number was $ 14.75 million last year, but in 2022 it amounts to $ 20.35 million.
Usually, Bucs do not structure contacts in this way, but the Wagner agreement is a prime example of how to borrow from the future to capitalize on a small window. If Bucs did that, it would be to capitalize on Brady’s second two-year contract.
Shaquil Barrett, defender
Barrett said ESPN who planned to return in 2021. But he is also looking for a big paycheck after playing under the franchise label in 2020 after his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and the Bucs failed to reach a long-term deal. You want long-term stability for your family.
Barrett, who had a remarkable season in 2019 with 19.5 sacks, was third in the team in 2020 in sacks (8) and loss attacks (12.5). If the Bucs franchise labeled it two years in a row, it would owe it 120% of what they paid it in 2020, almost 19 million in 2021, which is about what is projected at its market value.
Chris Godwin, open receiver
It would be hard to imagine a scenario in which Bucs allows Godwin to leave. Selected in the third round of the 2017 draft, he enjoyed an extraordinary year in the Pro Bowl in 2019, finishing with 1,333 meters receiving, the third most in the league, despite the lack of two games. This season, the 24-year-old Godwin had 840 meters and seven touchdowns in 12 games.
Some have questioned how the Bucs will manage to pay both Evans and Godwin. But Evans has expressed a desire to accept pay cuts and restructure to keep the band together. He has already restructured his contract several times.
“We know it’s ready, but I hope we do our best to keep going,” Evans said of Godwin after the Super Bowl. “He is an incredible player and teammate. If we don’t have Chris Godwin, it will be so difficult for me and the team. “
The Aryans said on Thursday about Godwin: “She loves him here. It is difficult to leave and go to another system just for money. But it’s not bad to pay two receivers no. 1 – that’s for sure – when they are as good as the two no. 1 of ours “.
Godwin could receive a franchise label. The cost of labeling would be about 16.5 million, while its market value is estimated at around $ 17 million per year. Evans’ ceiling is $ 16.6 million in 2021. A long-term deal could structure Godwin to be more ceiling-friendly.
In doubt
Rob Gronkowski, closed wing
Former Gronkowski teammate and ESPN analyst Rob Ninkovich predicted that Gronkowski will not play in Tampa next season, which would be a surprise based on everything that has happened in the last year. Gronkowski retired specifically to join Brady, one of his best friends. He found a coach in Arians that allows him to be himself, something he didn’t have in New England, and he said he appreciates it. He also participated throughout the season and post-season without missing a game and acknowledged to the Aryans that they helped him stay healthy by giving him “veteran days off”, which he has not had before.
Gronkowski is now very close to his mother, Diane Walters, who lives in Fort Myers. Money and prizes are not necessarily the driving force behind Gronkowski, who withdrew $ 54 million before the Bucs changed rights and earned $ 10 million with the Bucs last season and has dozens of approval deals. At this stage of your life, it is about balance, personal fulfillment, pleasure, your family and your long-term health. For these reasons, it’s hard to imagine him playing anywhere other than Tampa Bay. However, they have already exercised the option for the fifth year for OJ Howard for 2021 and owe Cam Brate 6.5 million in 2021, although he agreed to take a pay cut earlier. Concessions will have to be made here.
Antonio Brown, wide receiver
The Bucs gave Brown a great opportunity by bringing him into their organization and it bore fruit, giving the offense a major boost in a year when their large receiving body was injured. He even led the Bucs by 49 goals in the last seven weeks of the regular season.
Despite missing the second half of the playoff game against the New Orleans Saints and the NFC championship game against the Green Bay Packers with a knee injury, Brown’s two touchdowns were tied for fourth. the highest position in the league this time. His versatility in the game of short, intermediate and deep passes provided another dimension of the offensive.
Brown said immediately after the Super Bowl how grateful he was that Tampa Bay hugged him and that a comeback next year “would mean everything.” He spent the season with Brady, a mentor. He was given a stern warning that if he made a mistake, he would leave. But he first engaged in the team concept, remained very focused on practice and avoided being a distraction.
Will it continue in the right direction without the structure of a season? The trial for his civil sexual assault trial was moved in December 2021, which could affect his availability if Bucs brings him back next season. These are two questions that will have to be answered, but Brady will plead for his return. Another one-year offer with incentives could work like the one you had last year.
Ndamukong Suh, another defense
The 11-year veteran continued to play at a high level in 2020, accounting for 7.5 bags, mostly in the absence of Vita Vea, while earning $ 8 million. Given that he earned $ 9.25 million in 2019, he was willing to take less and given Vea’s history of injuries, they will need someone with high durability there. Bucs would love to have 34-year-old Suh back if they can get him at the right price.
He may not return
Leonard Fournette, proofreader
Fournette has said on numerous occasions that playing as a substitute has been a great challenge for him. He eventually took over the role before Ronald Jones, who led the team with 192 cards to 97 for Fournette, suffered a finger injury and was placed on the reserve list / COVID-19. Fournette took the NFL lead with 448 yards of scrimmage and four touchdowns in the postseason. But the only way Fournette will stay is with a change of hierarchy in the back, and that doesn’t seem likely. He played a one-year contract worth two million.