2024 Bucs Thread - Offseason and 2024 Season

[Eckstein197]

Well an unfortunate way for the season to end with the loss to Detroit but the team did way better than the public thought they would/most Bucs fans would consider pre season. Winning the division and winning a playoff game when you came in with what were low expectations, that’s a successful season. Still trying to navigate the post Brady world, this was a really good season for the team.

Lot of questions going into the offseason though, it’ll be interesting to see where we go from here. We had a ton of dead cap this past year and a lot of that is off the books, though some still remains. Looks like we have about 48 million in cap space that most Bucs people have said they can get to 60 million fairly easily. That’s a decent amount of cap but certainly not a ton.

According to Greg Auman on Twitter, we have 18 guys slated for free agency. They are

Antoine Winfield JR, Mike Evans, Baker, Lavonte, Devin White, McLaughlin, Aaron Stinnie, Will Gholston, Triner, Wolford, Gaines, Edmonds, Feiler, O’Connor, Ryan Neal, Gill, David Moore, Skule

Along with 2 RFA in Delaney and Leverett

So first things first, the number 1A and 1B priorities will be resigning Winfield and Evans. Winfield bare minimum will be tagged but ideally he signs a long term contract. And Evans needs to come back, he’s the heart and soul of the offense and he needs to stay in Tampa, I fully believe he will be back

The next big priority is resigning Lavonte if he wants to continue playing. I know he’s discussed retirement in years past, he’s still playing at a high level but I wouldn’t be shocked if he hung up his cleats. That would be a massive loss for this defense if he doesn’t return.

Before we get to the big WC priority, when it comes to the other free agents, most of them are lower end depth pieces. I’m sure both RFAs will be brought back, I definitely think resigning McLaughlin is an underrated part of the offseason. An awesome season and you need a reliable kicker. Other than that they’ll resign guys like Stinnie and Gholston as depth pieces but none of them are that crucial in the grand scheme of things.

One guy that is definitely gone is Devin White. Britt basically replaced him down the stretch and vastly out performed him. White is gonna go to another team and I wish him the best. An up and down career in Tampa to say the least. Other than White, not sure who else is for sure gone, maybe Edmonds?


The Wild Card priority is resigning Baker. I think that’s what the team will do, where they’re drafting in the draft they aren’t gonna be able to trade up and snag an elite QB prospect, and there’s not a ton on the free agent market. I’d rather just resign Baker to a 2 year contract with a team option, or a 3 year deal that worst case you can get out after 2 if it goes poorly. I think Baker will want to stay because he wants some continuity and he seemed to like it in Tampa and like playing under Canales. Another year of continuity and growth from the OL and the team is in a good spot offensively (and bring back Mike of course). I think resigning Baker helps keep Evans as well as they had a really strong connection this season

Another thing is we gotta hope Canales stays. I think he will but he is generating some HC buzz.

When it comes to the draft and filling holes in this team, I think the early part of the draft should be spent on defensive help. The pass rush struggled immensely at times this year and the emergence of Diaby certainly helped, but Shaq is only getting older and JTS is just too streaky.

I think if Lavonte comes back, they will certainly go pass rusher in the first round. If Lavonte is gone, I think LB or pass rusher is about 50/50 for that first round pick, depends on how the board falls. And then spend the second rounder on the other position.

If Lavonte comes back, you still gotta spend a round 2 or round 3 pick for LB depth, especially with Devin white leaving

Also side note, shout out Licht and co for an awesome 2023 draft. Kancey was a stud, Diaby as a third rounder was a steal. Mauch played a ton and is providing to be a really good guard. Even Trey Palmer showed flashes of great play as a 6th rounder. Licht is continually showing he’s one of the better GMs especially in the draft in the league