Despite rostering Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, the Buccaneers have agreed to terms with Russell Gage. The ex-Falcons wideout will join the Bucs’ deep receiving stable, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
It’s a three-year deal worth $30MM, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (on Twitter). The deal contains $20MM in guaranteed money.
Coming off back-to-back 700-yard seasons, Gage looks set to step into Tampa Bay’s WR3 role — one vacated by Antonio Brown — behind the two Pro Bowlers. This move arms the Bucs with a proven complementary weapon while further depleting a Falcons receiving corps that has seen its crew decimated over the past several months.
Since June 2021, the Falcons have seen their Gage-Julio Jones–Calvin Ridley trio gutted by the Jones trade, Ridley’s in-season exit and subsequent gambling suspension and now this impending transaction. Atlanta has some critical work to do at the receiver position this offseason. Gage’s 770 receiving yards — in just 14 games — were by far the most among Falcons wideouts last season.
The Bucs used their franchise tag on Godwin for the second straight year, keeping their younger Pro Bowl receiver in the fold for Tom Brady‘s third season with the team. While Brady famously advocated for Brown, constant turmoil notwithstanding, the mercurial standout burned the Bucs for that faith late last season. Gage is now set to step into a much higher-profile NFC South role.
So they sign some who good with out the crazy how is this a bad thing . Doesn’t hurt to have depth
What
Drunk so early ??
I like Gage a lot, and good on them getting an ascending pass catcher, but I wonder if this means they think he can thrive spending most of his time on the outside. The Falcons played him mostly in the slot in 2019 and 2020, then played about half his time in the slot last year. Given the presence of Godwin, who also spends most of his time in the slot, I wonder what they’re planning. Nice addition in isolation, assuming the price isn’t too high.
Godwin will likely see more time outside than Gage. Gage started a little slow because Atlanta tried using him outside too much, and he responded better after taking on some of Ridley’s old snaps inside. Godwin is best in the slot, but has worked outside as well to accommodate guys like Brown inside or Scotty Miller. I would expect to see Godwin outside more often than Gage, but for Gage to get a few outside snaps too so Godwin can work in the slot too.
Of course, this was just the Bucs grabbing a quality receiver who became available and not so much about scheme fit. They know why Brady came, and it wasn’t for patience in acquiring long term projects. They want a deep and talented receiving corps.
Can’t believe the Falcons let Gage walk. Who exactly do they plan on throwing the ball to other than Pitts?
Draft picks
I love Gage when he was with the Falcons but he’s not no 20 mill guarantee WR . But when your a 6th round pick and you get offered that money to catch passes from Tom Brady hell i will sign too.