After adding wide receiver Mike Evans and franchise-tagging safety Antoine Winfield Jr. to their roster, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are getting close to accomplishing all three of their main offseason objectives. The only thing left to do for the Bucs this summer is to re-sign quarterback Baker Mayfield to complete the trifecta of moves. Related: Is This Former Bucs Safety Hinting at a Trip Back to Tampa Bay? Monday marks the start of the NFL’s open negotiation session. Mayfield may choose to go free again, and at least one other team will probably become involved as a rival for the quarterback’s services.
“Mayfield should have a robust market if he makes it to free agency since he’s the second-best option behind (Kirk) Cousins after a breakout year (4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns, 10 interceptions),” according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. “If Cousins departs, Minnesota might even target him. Mayfield earned $4 million in2023, and his next deal is probably going to bring in more than $30 million annually. Mike Evans, the wide receiver, recently re-signed for a large salary, indicating that the Buccaneers do not want to rebuild. I believe they make good before Mayfield becomes a free agent.” 2023 October 22, Tampa, Florida, USA In the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) reacts following a run against the Atlanta Falcons.Required Credit: USA TODAY Sports/Nathan Ray Seebeck Naturally, the Vikings must fail to retain Cousins for at least another season in order to be considered a contender for Mayfield. Rosenblatt projects that Cousins will almost certainly end up signing an off-season contract with the Atlanta Falcons. He writes, “Atlanta wants Cousins.” They think Cousins is the kind of player who elevates them from a marginal playoff club to a contender, according to Dianna Russini’s combine report. Both offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and new Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris are acquainted with Cousins. The owner of the Falcons is eager and wants to win right now. Their first target will be Cousins, who will be joining an offense with a youthful, dynamic bunch of weapons (Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts) and appears to be healing nicely from Achilles surgery. Associated: Was quarterback Baker Mayfield of the Buccaneers almost “on his way out” the previous season? The combination of Cousins’ arrival in the NFC South and Mayfield’s departure for the North would somewhat sour the Bucs’ otherwise fruitful offseason thus far. Then, Tampa Bay would have to look to NFL Draft prospects like Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr., or possibilities like Russell Wilson or Justin Fields. For more Tampa Bay Buccaneers coverage during the 2024 offseason, stay tuned to BucsGameday. Observe BucsGameday on Facebook and Twitter. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. Copyright ABG-SI LLC. Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved.
GET MORE NEWS HERE