Despite quarterback and head coach changes over the last few years, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have maintained their status as a playoff contender.
Their young talent on both sides of the field is a big reason for that.
One of their brightest stars is safety Antoine Winfield Jr. The former All-Pro has built a reputation as one of the best safeties in the game today. Winfield may be coming off a down season, but he wants to bounce back significantly.
Tampa Bay needs to be careful with Winfield, though.
The Minnesota product is 26 years old and under team control for the next two seasons. But... ESPN has called the numbers behind those final two years one of the most "player-friendly" for a safety in the league.
"Winfield is the league's second-highest paid safety by average annual salary, just slightly behind [Kerby] Joseph. But the rest of the deal is great for Winfield in comparison," Dan Graziano wrote. "Winfield got a $20 million roster bonus in 2024 and fully guaranteed salaries of $4 million in 2024 and $21 million in 2025.
"He's sure to make $45 million over the first two years of the deal and would make $64.5 million over the first three if he stays in Tampa Bay. It's strong money, given the rest of the safety market."
Let’s call this a rumor for now. But …
Tampa Bay will likely seek to restructure Winfield's contract following the 2025 season. His $27 million cap hit, scheduled for both 2026 and 2027, will make the situation difficult.
If they can get the kind of All-Pro play they used to get earlier in his career, the cap hits won't be a hindrance. Anything less, though and the Buccaneers will be stuck between a rock and a hard place with Winfield.
