Bucs GM: We've had one of the greatest FA hauls ever
Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said his team deserves more respect after bringing back its main free agents this offseason.
"This is one of the greatest free agency hauls ever, and it's our own guys," Licht recently said, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. "We have some Hall of Famers in there - Mike, Lavonte - it has been incredible. ... I think it is time that the national media realize we have some great players."
The Buccaneers entered the offseason in danger of missing key starters but managed to bring all of them back. Tampa Bay re-signed quarterback Baker Mayfield to a three-year, $100-million contract and receiver Mike Evans to a two-year, $52-million deal. Additionally, the Bucs placed the franchise tag on star safety Antoine Winfield Jr., while linebacker and team captain Lavonte David is also returning for a 13th season with the club on a one-year pact.
Evans and Winfield are coming off All-Pro seasons, while Mayfield - the 2018 No. 1 overall pick - revived his career in his first year with the Buccaneers in 2023.
"It's just an exciting feeling that we were able to get these guys back together," said Mayfield, who set career highs with 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns while helping the Bucs make the playoffs last season.
While playing in an unimpressive NFC South, the Buccaneers won their third straight division title in 2023. Tampa Bay is 17-17 in the last two campaigns.
Mayfield and Co. eliminated the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card matchup in January before falling short against the Detroit Lions in the divisional round.
"Obviously, you want to set your expectations even higher because you demand that of yourself, competing in this high-level business," Mayfield added. "I'm very happy with the financial aspect of it. But I want to make it something we're all striving to do, which is win a Super Bowl.
"That's a big reason why guys didn't test the open market. Guys came back here to realize the pieces that we have to continue to work together and build on what we have and improve that."
Sustaining NFC South success will likely be harder for the Bucs in 2024, as the Atlanta Falcons recently addressed their biggest need by signing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins.
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