Another bad news hit the Tampa Bay Buccaners: The head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaners shed tears as four of his star players made a final decision to terminate their huge contracts.
Tampa, Florida (AP) The Tampa Bay Bucs have signed All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield, Jr., to a four-year, $84 million contract, making him the highest-paid defensive back in the National Football League.
On Monday, the Bucs made their deal public. Under the franchise tag, the 25-year-old, who as a rookie assisted the team in winning its second Super Bowl triumph, was scheduled to make little over $17 million the following season.
The signing caps off a successful summer for general manager Jason Licht, who prioritized keeping the core of a team that has won three straight NFC South championships.
The Bucs signed quarterback Baker Mayfield (three years, $115 million), career receiving leader Mike Evans (two years, $52 million), and veteran linebacker Lavonte David (one year, $10 million) in order to prevent those important players from leaving in free agency. In addition, the Bucs placed the franchise tag on Winfield in March.
Winfield was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, started right away, and as a rookie, he contributed to the Bucs, led by Tom Brady, winning the Super Bowl.
He has been the NFL’s leading defensive back in terms of sacks (15), quarterback hits (21), forced fumbles (11) and fumble recoveries (eight) since joining the league. His father was Antoine Winfield, Sr., a brilliant cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings.
Winfield has four seasons in which Tampa Bay has qualified for the playoffs. Along with being the team leader in interceptions in 2023, he became one of only four players since 2000 to have five or more sacks, five or more takeaways, and five or more forced fumbles in a single season, along with Terrell Suggs (2003), Justin Tuck (2010), and T.J. Watt (2019).
With Winfield signed to a long-term contract, Licht will likely focus on getting Pro Bowl left tackle Tristan Wirfs to sign a contract extension. Wirfs is expected to make $18.2 million in 2024 under the club’s fifth-year option.
The NRL is under pressure to reconsider the Magic Round schedule after major players like Nathan Cleary and Kalyn Ponga are sidelined due to injuries. Reece Walsh is the latest celebrity to be ruled out of the competition. The game will take place at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane following ten rounds of the NRL, with most teams scheduling three days of play.
Supporters travel to the north to witness their side compete in the rugby league festival; however, many fans will be a little let down if their favorite player isn’t there. 140,000 supporters are expected to celebrate in Brisbane when the NRL announces that all three days are sold out for the round. It’s estimated that this will bring in about $40 million for Brisbane tourism. But with injury carnage plaguing most clubs, supporters are left waiting to find out who their team will name.
With Nathan Cleary (shown left) already absent, Reece Walsh (pictured right) is the most recent well-known player to be eliminated from the Magic Round. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images) )
With Nathan Cleary (shown left) already absent, Reece Walsh (pictured right) is the most recent well-known player to be eliminated from the Magic Round. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images) )
But the NRL’s injury crisis hasn’t stopped, with Broncos fullback—possibly the biggest attraction for home fans—missing the opening few hours of the game due to a knee injury. Cleary, the premier halfback in the game, will miss the Origin series due to a recurrent injury to his bothersome hamstring. An ugly foot injury earlier in the season sidelined Ponga for twelve weeks.
Furthermore, the major players’ injuries from round one have not ceased. Adam Reynolds won’t play for the Broncos, and Mitchell Moses won’t be back until after Round 11. Though he has only recently resumed training, Nicho Hynes has been named, so he is still uncertain.
Shaun Johnson, a top player for the Warriors, will not play after hurting his shoulder during last week’s game against the Roosters. The Warriors’ backline has been rearranged as a result of Roger Tuivasa-Scheck’s injury. Captain Cameron Murray and numerous other players will be out for the Rabbitohs, while Ryan Papenhuyzen, a key player for the Melbourne Storm, will be absent due to a tiny bone fracture in his right ankle.
