ESPN REPORT: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now banned for the 2024 season due to…
TAMPA, Fla. — NFL free agency is off and running, and we’re keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2024 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year to officially sign players begins Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got ahead of things and were able to re-sign wide receiver Mike Evans to a two-year deal Monday and quarterback Baker Mayfield to a three-year deal Sunday.
The first round of the 2024 NFL draft also begins April 25 on ESPN. Here’s a breakdown of every 2024 NFL free agent signing by the Buccaneers and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Baker Mayfield, QB
The Buccaneers and Mayfield agreed to a three-year, $100 million deal, according to sources.
What it means: General manager Jason Licht said he’d throw another boat parade if he could get back Mayfield, Evans, safety Antoine Winfield Jr., linebacker Lavonte David, tackle Tristan Wirfs and kicker Chase McLaughlin, and he’s well on his way to doing that. Mayfield gets rewarded for a terrific nine-win season and playoff victory, and he gets the organizational stability he’s longed for, while ensuring he’ll still have a strong supporting cast.
What’s the risk: It’s essentially a two-year deal worth $60 million and in the third year, it’s $40 million unless the Bucs decide to get out of it, in which they’d incur little dead cap money doing so. That’s an important distinction considering they played with $80 million in dead cap money in 2023. The next concern would be injuries — Mayfield’s aggressive playing style outside the pocket does make him more vulnerable to them. But he only missed five regular season games outside of 2022. And he’ll have top target Evans for at least the next two seasons.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield is returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after agreeing to a three-year deal Sunday. Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA TODAY Sports
Mike Evans, WR
The Bucs and Evans reached an agreement on a two-year, $52 million contract that includes $35 million guaranteed.
What it means: Those closest to Evans have long felt he’ll play for at least two more years. This move may very well keep him in Tampa for the entirety of his career, which has been a desire for Evans and the Bucs all along. General manager Jason Licht said last week at the combine that they’d likely have to “strain” to get this deal done, but he kept good on his word in bringing Evans back to Tampa — which has been the team’s top priority. Their window to contend remains open, assuming they re-sign quarterback Baker Mayfield. Sources say that Mayfield may not make it to free agency, either.
What’s the risk: Considering Evans showed no drop-off at age 30 last season, finishing with yet another 1,000-yard receiving season and tying for the league lead with 13 touchdowns for the first time in his career, there really isn’t one — unless his body starts to wear down. There have been no indications of that happening. He has been remarkably durable, missing just nine games in 10 seasons, and he’s shown he can play in just about every offense, with any type of quarterback.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signer receiver Mike Evans to a two-year. Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
Bryce Hall, CB
The Bucs are signing the former New York Jet on a one-year deal.
What it means: The Bucs traded away cornerback Carlton Davis and coach Todd Bowles said this week that Zyon McCollum – the team’s No. 3 cornerback last year – would have the opportunity to start in 2024. But they needed a No. 3 outside cornerback to take McCollum’s role from last year. Hall started 26 of 39 games, including all 17 in 2021, so he provides not only depth but also the ability to start at an injury-plagued position for the Bucs. While he was relegated to a backup role after the emergence of D.J. Reed and Sauce Gardner, he did return a fumble for a touchdown to seal a Week 5 victory over the Denver Broncos last season.
What’s the risk: A fifth-round draft pick out of Virginia in 2020, Hall was considered one of the top cornerbacks in college football, but his senior season at Virginia was cut short by a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle. He was a healthy scratch by the end of his time with the Jets. It’s a league minimum deal so there is minimal risk, and he can push McCollum.
Jordan Whitehead, S
Whitehead is signing a two-year deal for $9 million — worth up to $10.5 million with incentives.
What it means: The Bucs coaching staff and front office were high on Whitehead, but they had limited funds after two years with Tom Brady. In four seasons, Whitehead started 55 of 59 regular-season games. Although Whitehead is considered at his best in the box and is an exceptionally hard hitter, he can play both high and low and has worked very hard throughout his career to demonstrate his coverage ability, coming off a career-high four interceptions in 2023.
What’s the risk: Considering Whitehead’s previous deal was for two years and $14.5 million and his interceptions were tied for third-most in the league among safeties, the Bucs got great value with Whitehead. He’s a proven player who knows their system with demonstrated reliability, and he has a strong relationship with Winfield.
John Wolford, QB
The Bucs are bringing back their QB3 on a one-year deal.
What it means: This was a no-brainer, given not only Wolford’s relationship with Mayfield, but Wolford’s intimate knowledge of new offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s system when they were with the Los Angeles Rams together. He’s a true conduit between the coaching staff and players, ensuring the Bucs have a supportive quarterback room. And if need be, he can step in to play.
What’s the risk: Not much. Wolford made himself very valuable to the coaching staff, coming to them with ideas, while also supporting the other QBs on the roster. Wolford did suffer a neck injury in the second preseason game against the Jets last year, however, but he quickly bounced back. Wolford originally suffered a neck injury in the 2020 season, and he reinjured it in 2022 during the Rams’ wildcard game against the Seahawks, and like last year with the Bucs, left in an ambulance.
