The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been commended for their activity during free agency this offseason.
General manager Jason Licht has retained some key players from both the offense and the defense during the free agency period, helping to keep the roster cohesive.
But as free agency gives, free agency also taketh away.
One of the pieces that got away is offensive lineman Robert Hainsey, who signed with the Jaguars and former Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who now coaches in Jacksonville.
Hainsey signed a three-year, $21 million deal to reunite with Coen after spending his entire pro career with the Buccaneers.
During his introductory presser, Hainsey reflected on playing with the legend Tom Brady in Tampa Bay, but also gave praise to Brady's successor under center, Baker Mayfield.
“He’s the ultimate teammate,” Hainsey said. “He’s the ultimate competitor and I can’t really say enough good things about him because it was a blast to work with him. He changed my life a lot just because of the way he operates. It’s like, ok, he’s here to win, he’s here to compete. That’s what we’re all trying to do, but he brings it up every day. Always a constant reminder of what your mentality needs to be like when you’re walking into this building.”
Brady enters the second year of a three-year, $100 million deal and his third overall with the Bucs.
He's set career highs in some statistical categories in the past two seasons and has become a favorite teammate to fellow Bucs players while endearing himself to the community.
