Throughout a current look on the Pewter Report Podcast, Bucs Assistant Normal Supervisor Mike Greenberg spoke in regards to the Bucs bettering wage cap place. After a number of years of pushing the money and wage cap limits of the group from 2020 to 2022, Greenberg and the Bucs mind belief used 2023 to try to shed as many lifeless cap expenses as they may to get again into a versatile place.
Amazingly, they have been ready to do that whereas nonetheless making a playoff push.
2024 is one other season of economic transition. Tampa Bay had sufficient cap house and money to deliver again a number of key pending free brokers in Antoine Winfield Jr., Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and Lavonte David. In addition they used the 12 months to shed a pair extra Tom Brady-era contracts. However seeking to 2025 and past the workforce is seeking to change into one of many healthiest groups within the NFL when it comes to wage cap accounting.
Bucs Have Few Assured Money Funds Owed in 2025
Trying on the Bucs 2025 monetary outlook, the very first thing that pops out is that the workforce has only a few assured money funds owed in 2025. The workforce at present has 67 gamers underneath contract for 2025 for a complete wage/bonus dedication of $120,226,810. Of these 67 solely 9 gamers are owed any assured salaries/roster bonuses.
Bucs FS Antoine Winfield Jr. and GM Jason Licht – Picture by: Scott Reynolds/Pewter Report
Antoine Winfield Jr. – $21,000,000
Baker Mayfield – $10,000,000
Mike Evans – $6,000,000
Chase McLaughlin – $3,500,000
Calijah Kancey – $2,067,588
Graham Barton – $1,432,612
Chris Braswell – $1,103,438
Cody Mauch – $329,015
Logan Corridor – $225,000
Bucs Present Cap Liabilities For 2025
Trying on the high 51 cap hits for 2025 (the NFL/NFLPA collective bargaining settlement requires groups to account for the highest 51 cap hits within the offseason) the Bucs are taking a look at a complete cap legal responsibility of $208,899,327. This doesn’t account for the lifeless cap expenses associated to Ryan Jensen ($11,801,000) and Shaq Barrett ($17,401,000) however does account for the fees associated to Chris Godwin, Greg Gaines, Tristan Wirfs and Anthony Nelson’s expiring contracts. All-in the overall involves $238,101,327.
The 2025 NFL wage cap won’t be made public formally till February/March of subsequent 12 months. Over The Cap at present has a really conservative projection of $260 million. Utilizing a easy linear regression mannequin wanting on the wage cap change from 12 months to 12 months because the 2011 collective bargaining settlement and 2025’s wage cap may soar 9.2% to virtually $278 million.
The bottom soar over that point, exterior of the 2021 wage cap retraction in response to COVID, has been 5.3% which might nonetheless put the cap at $269 million. Realistically, we are able to assume a cap of $273.5 million. This could imply, with none changes for 2024 carryover or LTBE/NLTBE* bonus changes, the Bucs are taking a look at $35,398,673 in cap house. Assuming a fairly customary season from an damage standpoint and no long-term extension for Tristan Wirfs, the workforce will in all probability carry over a really minimal $1-2.5 million in wage cap house from this 12 months to subsequent.
That conservatively places the Bucs’ cap house at round $37 million.
‘Moveable’ Cap Costs
Trying ahead to the place the workforce might must spend and there are a few key wants Tampa Bay might want to deal with.
Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs – Picture by: USA At this time
Left sort out is probably the most evident, as they might nonetheless must safe a long-term extension for Tristan Wirfs. Aside from Wirfs, the offensive line could be comparatively set. Relying on the event of Zyon McCollum and Cade Otton, tight finish and cornerback may very well be different potential areas that may should be addressed. They’d be a part of left guard, vast receiver and linebacker as positions that the workforce may look to free company to search out starters.
A few of these positions would probably be addressed via the primary two days of the 2025 NFL draft, however the backside line is the workforce can have loads of cap house so as to add to the roster in 2025 as is. However they may open up extra funds if wanted. Plenty of funds from a wage cap perspective.
If Greenberg actually needed to go hog-wild, he has as much as $78.85 million in credit score that he can defer to future seasons. The largest alternatives are within the largest contracts. Listed below are the biggest deferrable cap expenses for 2025:
Baker Mayfield – $22,996,000
Antoine Winfield Jr. – $15,864,000
Mike Evans – $13,396,000
Vita Vea – $12,596,000
Jamel Dean – $9,464,000
These 5 gamers may assist speak in confidence to $74,316,000 in extra cap house. That provides the workforce loads of house to discover a premier free agent or two in the event that they so need. Alternatively, they may additionally maintain home-grown gamers seeking to get contract extensions.
Luke Goedeke – Contract Extension Candidate?
The Bucs boast a cavalcade of younger, low cost expertise occupying lots of their key beginning positions. Of these gamers, only a few meet the distinctive cross-section of being extension-eligible whereas additionally offering play that may warrant a sizeable multi-year extension.
Bucs RT Luke Goedeke – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
From the 2021 draft class, first-round choose Joe Tryon-Shoyinka simply had his fifth-year choice declined. He’s the primary Jason Licht first-round draft choose to obtain that unlucky distinction. The workforce has introduced in 5 gamers within the final 15 months in an effort to search out the unfulfilled promise Tryon-Shoyinka as soon as teased.
Equally, middle Robert Hainsey will likely be combating for a starter position in 2024. He’s hardly somebody the workforce appears to be making ready to deliver again with a big monetary funding. Quarterback Kyle Trask has not seen a full sport’s price of motion in three years. Inside linebacker KJ Britt is more likely to begin this season however has hardly carried out to the extent of a big long-term pact.
The 2022 draft class will likely be eligible for extensions for the primary time subsequent 12 months. Of that group, only one participant stands out as a possible early extension candidate. Proper sort out Luke Goedeke is coming off of a season the place he offered spectacular play at a premium place. Because the Bucs are all too properly conscious, the offensive sort out market is exploding. Penei Sewell simply reset the market at $28 million per 12 months and Tristan Wirfs is more likely to reset it someday within the subsequent 12 months, presumably as quickly as later this summer time.
The Eagles have proven that groups can discover some albatross on offers by extending gamers early, avoiding a number of contract re-sets that undoubtedly come and push the positional market even larger. If Goedeke have been to place collectively one other season just like his 2022 marketing campaign, he may cement himself as a top-10 proper sort out within the NFL. That will put him in line for a Terence Steele ($16.5 million APY) to Mike McGlinchey ($17.5 million APY) deal.
Bucs RT Luke Goedeke – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Each of these offers have been signed previous to the 2023 season when the NFL wage cap was $224.8 million. Regulate that for 2025’s projected $273.5 million cap and Goedeke may very well be taking a look at a payday someplace within the vary of 4 years and $82.75 million. And earlier than you begin clamoring that he’s nowhere close to price that type of cash, the market says chances are you’ll be mistaken.
That’s predicated upon him having a powerful 2024, however he’s already acknowledged as one of many high tackles within the NFL after only one sturdy season. And if the Bucs wait it out and let him get to free company in 2026? Effectively, the franchise tag for offensive linemen that 12 months may very well be over $27.5 million and an analogous deal to the one projected earlier would regulate to $90 million assuming Goedeke doesn’t stage up.
The NFL requires groups to spend a sure stage of money. As soon as the Wirfs deal is consummated the Bucs have only a few gamers on the instant horizon requiring sizeable offers. Goedeke is one of the best inside candidate at this second to qualify for one. And each Greenberg and common supervisor Jason Licht have stated persistently they like paying homegrown expertise. Assuming Goedeke continues to play on the stage he did final 12 months, the celebs are aligning for him to reap the benefits of the Bucs’ bettering monetary place.
