Kudos to Jason Licht! The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ GM continues to showcase his prowess, firmly establishing himself among the NFL’s elite.
This offseason has been a grand slam for the reigning NFC South champs. Licht orchestrated an impressive draft, securing standout Graham Barton in the first round, and successfully negotiated extensions for key players like Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, Lavonte David, and now Antoine Winfield Jr.
In making Winfield Jr. the highest-paid defensive back in league history, Licht has demonstrated his commitment to retaining top talent, sparing no expense. It’s a move that’s worth every penny, and Licht rightly earns praise for his willingness to invest in his own roster.
With almost everything falling into place this offseason, there’s one crucial piece of business left.
Now, the Buccaneers must turn their focus to securing an extension for Tristan Wirfs after finalizing Winfield Jr.’s deal.
Wirfs, another standout from the Buccaneers’ 2020 draft class, is next in line for a new contract. While prioritizing Winfield Jr.’s extension was paramount to avoid the franchise tag scenario, Wirfs’ fifth-year option provides some breathing room for negotiations.
However, the time is ripe for action. With just one year remaining on his current deal, the Buccaneers aim to secure Wirfs’ long-term future without hesitation, ensuring stability for their star players.
According to reports from Greg Auman of FOX Sports, extending Wirfs is now the Buccaneers’ top priority.
Wirfs has proven himself as one of the premier left tackles in the league, deserving of a hefty payday. His performance metrics, matching Winfield Jr.’s stellar career grade of 91.0 according to PFF, solidify his status as a top talent from the 2020 draft class.
Given the scarcity of quality offensive linemen, rival teams will undoubtedly vie for Wirfs’ services if he nears free agency, potentially inflating the cost of his extension.
As the Buccaneers near completion of their offseason agenda, securing Wirfs’ extension stands as the final task on their checklist. With Licht at the helm, Buccaneers fans can expect nothing short of a masterful negotiation to lock in their star tackle for the long haul.
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