Jason Licht Has Contract Updates On Lavonte David, Antoine Winfield Jr., Tristan Wirfs

Jason Licht fielded several questions about free-agent-to-be Baker Mayfield shortly after his press conference with wide receiver Mike Evans on Friday. But the Bucs general manager also addressed the situations with several of Tampa Bay’s other pending free agents.

Licht seemed confident that the Bucs would be able to work something out again with legendary linebacker Lavonte David, who signed a one-year deal worth $4.5 million last year that reached $7.5 million when he hit incentives.

“Once again, we’ve been having good conversations,” Licht said. “I know Lavonte wants to be a Buccaneer. We want Lavonte to be a Buccaneer. So that’s usually that’s a pretty good start.”

The Bucs are poised to let Devin White, the team’s first-round pick in 2019, go elsewhere in free agency. White was a five-year starter in Tampa Bay and a team captain on Todd Bowles defense, and the Bucs don’t want to have to replace both of their starting inside linebackers in the same offseason.

Getting David, who turned 34 in January, back is a priority – likely on another one-year deal. David continues play at a high level as he enters his 13th NFL season. He led Tampa Bay with 134 tackles and 17 tackles for loss, in addition to five pass breakups, 4.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

After Lavonte David And Baker Mayfield, Antoine Winfield Jr., Tristan Wirfs Will Get New Deals

But Baker Mayfield and Lavonte David aren’t the only big names that Jason Licht and the team hope to negotiate with this offseason. Although the Bucs used the franchise tag on All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr., Licht wants to work on a long-term contract extension for the former second-round pick.

Winfield is already on the books for $17.123 million with the franchise tag designation. But the Bucs would like to do a multi-year extension that could lower that 2024 cap hit and create some spending flexibility for the team this offseason.

Licht was asked if the sudden influx of safeties that just hit the free agent market would affect Winfield’s price tag. Denver released Pro Bowler Justin Simmons this past week, and Seattle parted ways with former Pro Bowlers Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams.

“I don’t think that affects it at all with Antoine,” Licht said. “I think we’re all – us and his reps, David Mulugheta – we’re all in agreement of where he should be. I don’t think having this influx of safeties affects that.”

Winfield is expected to reset the safety market at around $20 million per year. Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James is currently the highest paid, making $19 million per year.

Bucs Pro Bowl left tackle Tristan Wirfs is also expected to reset the market when he and the team reach an agreement on a new deal this offseason. Wirfs is expected to be paid more than $25 million per year, which is what Houston’s Laremy Tunsil makes as the NFL’s highest-paid left tackle.

Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: USA Today

Tampa Bay picked up Wirfs’ fifth-year option and he currently has a 2024 cap value of $18.244 million. Like Winfield, the Bucs would love to lower Wirfs’ cap hit this offseason with a new deal.

“He should be next,” Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans said. “Pay him whatever he wants. He’s the best in the league, too.”

Licht said that the Bucs are very interested in doing deals this offseason with Wirfs and Winfield. But because both are currently under contract for the 2024 season, he and assistant general manager Mike Greenberg are focusing on more pressing matters like contract extensions for Baker Mayfield and Lavonte David now that Mike Evans has been re-signed.

“We’ve already had some discussions there,” Licht said. “It’s not that Tristan’s not a priority because he’s one of our best players as well. But it’s just something from a time perspective – he’s under contract … we’ve had some beginning discussions with his agent Jeremy Newberry.”

Licht made it clear that re-signing the Bucs’ top players is the emphasis this offseason – not spending big money on free agent imports.

“We’re always going to look to see what’s out there, but I’m not usually a fan right now of going big-game hunting,” Licht said. “The priority is our players. And I think with the magnitude of some of these deals people will realize we actually have some really good players, and they’ve been fortunate to play on some lesser deals. You know we’ll always look, and we’ll have some flexibility. But I think a lot of that flexibility will be geared towards our own players.”