Years from now, when we look back at Antoine Winfield Jr.’s career, hopefully 2024 will be the year we point to as the anomaly. The one time the talented safety wasn’t quite himself.
Until then, though, Winfield has had an entire offseason to think and stew and read all the headlines about how the 2023 season, in which he established himself as the NFL’s best at his position, was just the exception and not the rule.
That’s because the facts are, for however good Winfield was in 2023, he was equally as bad (or just not available) in 2024. Because his season to forget came immediately after signing a 4-year, $84.1 million contract extension — one that made him the richest defensive back in NFL history at the time — the voices of dissent have only grown louder.
Winfield’s deal included $45 million in guaranteed money.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon even put Winfield on his list of the NFL’s “Most Overpaid Players” headed into 2025.
“Winfield broke the bank last year after intercepting six passes to earn first-team All-Pro honors in 2023, but he was far less productive and efficient when healthy in 2024 and injuries have become a legitimate concern,” Gagnon wrote on September 1. “The 27-year-old has now missed 16 games the last four years and has been dealing with hamstring issues this summer. Winfield is five years into his career now, and he’s only had one great season. He’s off to a rough start in Year 6, and he’s scheduled to earn more than $55 million in 2026 and 2027 combined. “
The Buccaneers open the regular season on September 7 at the Atlanta Falcons.
Injuries Finally Caught Up With Winfield
Even before 2024, there were signs Winfield was headed toward bigger injury problems.
Before Winfield’s breakout season in 2023 with 122 tackles, 6 forced fumbles, 3 interceptions, 6.0 sacks and 12 pass deflections, he missed 4 games each in 2022 and 2021 with injuries. In 2022, Winfield missed 2 games with an ankle injury — the same injury that cost him 8 games in 2024.
Last season, Winfield’s season was a frustrating study in starts and stops. He played in the first game of the regular season, hurt his ankle and missed the next 4 games. He returned and was starting to play at his All-Pro level from 2023 before he hurt his ankle again and missed the final 4 games of the regular season.
Without Winfield, the Buccaneers secondary was treated like Fruit Ninja — sliced and diced to the most extreme degree.
Winfield Needs To Take Over Leadership Role
The Buccaneers used 2 of their first 3 picks in the 2025 NFL draft on defensive backs with Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison in the second round and Kansas State cornerback Jacob Parrish in the third round.
Both players could thrive with Winfield’s leadership. Parrish has already earned the starting nickelback spot headed into the regular season and Morrison should eventually take over one of the starting outside cornerback spots.
“Antoine Winfield‘s 2024 season was a bit of a problem due to multiple injuries, but there were still some very good plays,” NFL reporter Doug Farrar wrote on his official X account on August 4. The Buccaneers hope for the return of the demon who was shutting offenses down from everywhere in 2023, and may have been the NFL’s best safety.
Buccaneers $84 Million All-Pro Called NFL’s ‘Most Overpaid Player’