Getty Todd Bowles could be hard-pressed to keep Antoine Winfield Jr. after the season.
One of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ biggest free agency priorities could head west this offseason.
Bleacher Report predicted that Buccaneers star safety Antoine Winfield Jr. will sign with the Los Angeles Rams in free agency. Winfield has another strong season going in the final year of his $7 million rookie deal.
“With Jordan Fuller and John Johnson about to hit free agency, Los Angeles will likely be looking for a new safety in the offseason,” Matt Holder wrote in a December 26 story “prioritizing each team’s weaknesses heading after Week 16.” “Antoine Winfield Jr. will be one of the top players available at the position and an upgrade over Fuller and Johnson.
“Heading into the weekend, the former Pro Bowler had earned elite grades from Pro Football Focus nearly across the board,” Holder wrote. “Coverage was the only area in which he fell short of the mark, by just one point, and quarterbacks had a 51.2 passer rating when targeting him.
“Also, Spotrac estimates that the Rams will begin the spring with about $45.7 million in cap space to help make this pairing happen,” Holder wrote.
Antoine Winfield Jr. (@AntoineWJr11) is playing out of his mind right now. Look at this play recognition, closing speed, and innate ability to get the ball out. He should absolutely be a Pro Bowler. RT to throw raise awareness and give him a #ProBowlVote
The Buccaneers will have $47 million in cap space in 2024, according to Spotrac. Winfield could command $18.2 million annually or a four-year, $72.9 million deal, Spotrac estimates.
Tampa Bay also has to consider quarterback Baker Mayfield, wide receiver Mike Evans, linebacker Devin White, linebacker Lavonte David and defensive end William Gholston. Mayfield, White and Evans alone could command a combined $60.6 million annually, based on Spotrac’s market value numbers.
Buccaneers Receive Update on Antoine Winfield Jr. Injury
Winfield sustained a concussion in Week 16 against the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 24. He didn’t return to the game as the Buccaneers rolled 30-12, and head coach Todd Bowles sounded optimistic about Winfield’s condition.
“He’s fine — he could have went back in. We just held him out because it was towards the end,” Bowles told reporters on Sunday.
Tampa Bay will need Winfield in a critical NFC South game against the New Orleans Saints in Week 17. The Buccaneers would clinch the division title with a win but a loss will add pressure for the season finale against the Carolina Panthers in Week 18.
Winfield has 110 tackles, 3 interceptions, 5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 12 pass deflections this season.
Antoine Winfield Jr.: “We Executed All-Around’
Winfield expressed pleasure in how his team won a fourth-straight contest in convincing fashion on Sunday against the Jaguars. The Buccaneers also beat a team with a winning record for the first time this season.
“Great game, and we executed all-around. We just got to continue to do that more,” Winfield told reporters in the locker room after the game. “But that really starts with your preparation and practice and things like that.”
“We knew what type of game it was going to be, and we just came in here and executed,” Winfield added.
Winfield did his part with an interception, 3 tackles and a sack. He helped the Buccaneers shut down the Jaguars offense with a scoreless first half, and Jacksonville, down 30-0, didn’t score until the final minute of the third quarter.