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Buccaneers G Sua Opeta Suffers Torn ACL

July 31st, 2024 at 7:35pm CST by Ely Allen

The Buccaneers saw injury at the left guard position lead to a change in starter last year as Aaron Stinnie stepped in for a hurt Matt Feiler midseason. Unfortunately for Tampa Bay, the injuries didn’t wait for the season to start this year. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports today that guard Sua Opeta tore an ACL at practice this Tuesday, ruling him out for the 2024 NFL season.

Stinnie won’t come to the rescue this year, as the five-year veteran now plays in New York. To replace him and Feiler, who is currently unsigned on the free agent market, the Buccaneers signed Opeta and former Giants starter Ben Bredeson. Bredeson and Opeta were set to compete for the starting left guard job this summer, but with no Opeta, it should be Bredeson’s job to win.

An undrafted free agent out of Weber State in 2019, Opeta spent most of his rookie season on the Eagles’ practice squad, getting called up in December but not appearing in any games. In his sophomore campaign, he was called up from the practice squad and made his NFL debut in Week 3. He started two games in eight appearances that year before getting placed on injured reserve. Over the next two seasons, Opeta would make two starts in 17 more game appearances for Philadelphia.

Last year, Opeta found some starting snaps in six games as an injury replacement for Cam Jurgens. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) utilized Opeta’s starting sample to grade him out as the NFL’s 58th best guard, 17 spots over Bredeson, who graded out at 75th. Despite not having Bredeson’s starting experience, many believed Opeta stood a strong chance at beating out Bredeson for the job.

With Opeta lost for the year, though, Bredeson should have an open lane for the starting gig. Since being traded from the Ravens to the Giants after his rookie campaign, Bredeson has made 25 starts in 35 game appearances, including 16 last year. He has not graded out favorably in the eyes of PFF over the years, but without many other options, Tampa Bay will need Bredeson to deliver.

WR Mike Evans Considered Texans, Chiefs Before Re-Signing With Buccaneers

July 29th, 2024 at 2:42pm CST by Adam La Rose

Mike Evans appeared set to reach free agency this offseason, something which would have allowed him to entertain outside offers and consider departing the Buccaneers for the first time in his career. Instead, he chose to remain in Tampa Bay on a frontloaded two-year deal.

The record-breaking wideout may have been the top player on the market at his position had he reached free agency. Doing so was a consideration, and Evans had a pair of potential destinations in mind before ultimately staying put. While speaking to Sara Walsh and Gerald McCoy of NFL Network, he named the Texans and Chiefs as teams he contemplated joining.

“I mean, in the back of my mind, I’m thinking Houston, Kansas City,” the 30-year-old said when recounting his decision-making process (video link). “I love [Patrick] Mahomes’ game. I’m thinking those two teams. And I’m obviously thinking the Bucs.”

Evans is a native of Galveston, Texas, and he played collegiately at Texas A&M. Joining his hometown team would have been logical, especially considering the emergence of C.J. Stroud as the Texans’ quarterback of the present and future. The team had ample spending power in free agency, and a major receiver addition was made (by acquiring Stefon Diggs via trade from the Bills). Signing Evans would have provided Stroud with a different veteran target in his second NFL campaign.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, were among the many teams connected to an Evans pursuit. Kansas City struggled to find production at the receiver position in 2023, and making additions was a key offseason priority. Marquise Brown was added in free agency before the selection of Xavier Worthy during the first round of the draft. Both speedsters offer a much different skillset than Evans, but the latter would have been a welcomed addition for the defending champions based on his pedigree.

Evans is the only player in NFL history to record 1,000 or more receiving years in each of his first 10 seasons. He will aim to carry on that streak while continuing to play with Baker Mayfield and Co. in Tampa Bay. Remaining in the only home he has had throughout his decorated tenure carried obvious appeal for Evans – a player who has greatly benefitted from his previous Bucs pacts in a financial sense.

“I mean, I’ve been here my whole career,” he added. “It would’ve been extremely hard, if I hit free agency, to leave here. But this is where my family knows. My kids were born here. My wife’s been here a long time.”

Tampa Bay will attempt to repeat as NFC South winners in 2024, and Evans will play a big role in those efforts. His production over the next two years will influence his next financial decision on yet another Bucs re-up or a deal sending him elsewhere.

Buccaneers, LT Tristan Wirfs Making Progress On Extension Talks

July 29th, 2024 at 10:47am CST by Adam La Rose

As their training camp continues, attention for the Buccaneers continues to be paid to the status of extension talks with left tackle Tristan Wirfs. No deal is imminent, and the All-Pro’s training camp participation will be affected until an agreement is reached.

Head coach Todd Bowles confirmed on Monday that Wirfs is not taking part in team drills without an extension in hand (h/t Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). Team and player are still negotiating “in good faith,” though, as Bowles notes. Wirfs added he and Bowles discussed his level of training camp involvement prior to a deal being struck, as detailed by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman.

Encouragingly, Wirfs also said progress has been made on the negotiating front, a sign that an agreement could be in place relatively soon. General manager Jason Licht‘s most recent comments on the matter similarly expressed optimism a deal will be signed in short order. Tampa Bay has taken care of a number of important pieces of business this offseason, but Wirfs remains as a key extension priority.

The Iowa product is due $18.24MM in 2024 as a result of the team’s decision to pick up his fifth-year option. A long-term deal will, of course, check in at a much higher rate. Licht acknowledged Wirfs’ candidacy to become the league’s highest-paid left tackle (or perhaps the top earner at either tackle spot), meaning a deal averaging $26MM or $28MM – perhaps more – should be expected. Licht made similar comments about safety Antoine Winfield Jr. before he signed an extension moving him to the top of that position’s market.

Wirfs established himself as one of the league’s top right tackles to begin his career. The release of left tackle Donovan Smith last offseason led to Wirfs moving to the blindside, however. That transition went well, and it resulted in the third Pro Bowl nod of his four-year career. As a foundational member of the Bucs’ offense, a long-term accord should await him in the near future.

Tampa Bay is currently projected to have nearly $26MM in 2025 cap space, flexibility which should allow for a Wirfs extension to be worked out. Based on the stance of team and player, he should be back to full training camp participation relatively soon.

Jason Licht: Buccaneers ‘Optimistic’ Tristan Wirfs Extension Will Be Finalized Soon

July 27th, 2024 at 9:37pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Buccaneers’ offseason has included a number of big-money deals being worked out to keep several members of the team’s core intact. The final main piece of business left to take care of is a monster extension for left tackle Tristan Wirfs.

The All-Pro is set to collect $18.24MM in 2024 on his fifth-year option. A long-term deal will cost far more, and Wirfs has a strong chance of resetting the market at his position. Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht confirmed as much in his latest comments on the matter. He also repeated his desire to have a deal in place as soon as possible.

“I’m optimistic that it hopefully will be soon,” Licht said of a Wirfs extension during an appearance on WDAE radio (audio link). “I was on with WDAE talking about Antoine [Winfield Jr.] saying, ‘Hey, the guy deserves to be highest-paid [safety].’ And I would say the same thing for Tristan.

“So we’re working very diligently to see how we can do that, you know, so it can help both sides, as well. So it doesn’t hurt our future so we can still continue to win, but we can reward him.”

Winfield did indeed move to the top of the safety pecking order when he inked a four-year, $84.1MM extension in May. Licht expressed confidence a deal would get done on that front while acknowledging Winfield’s value on a long-term pact, something which was firmly in the team’s plans. He has similarly maintained a stance that Wirfs, 25, will have a new pact in place by the start of the 2024 campaign.

A report came out shortly after the Winfield deal indicating Tampa Bay and Wirfs’ camp were not close to a deal being worked out. Licht’s remarks suggest progress has been made, however, and Wirfs could soon be atop the list of compensation in terms of at least blindside blockers. Left tackle contracts are now led by the Vikings’ Christian Darrisaw at $26MM per season. The most lucrative tackle pact of any kind is that of Penei Sewell, who is attached to an AAV of $28MM after signing a Lions extension.

Wirfs began his career on the right, but the departure of Donovan Smith last offseason led to him switching to the blindside. The Iowa product earned his third career Pro Bowl nod in 2023, showcasing his effectiveness on either side of the line. Wirfs reported to training camp and has participated despite not having an extension in hand, but that may change in the relatively near future.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/26/24

July 26th, 2024 at 6:46pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves to wrap up the week:

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Green Bay Packers

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Rams

New England Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Activated from active/NFI list: WR Shaquan Davis

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Blair reunites with the Seahawks after two years away. A former second-round pick for Seattle, Blair spent parts of 2022 with the Panthers and Eagles before spending last year out with an Achilles tear.

Cannella, who formerly went by Sal, played for the Arlington Renegades of the UFL earlier this year, leading the league with six receiving touchdowns and finishing first among tight ends with 53 catches and 497 yards. He’s been in an out of the NFL with stints in the USFL and XFL before; the Bucs are hoping this time will stick.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/25/24

July 25th, 2024 at 7:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

  • Placed on active/PUP list: FB Robert Burns

Carolina Panthers

  • Waived/injured: DT Popo Aumavae

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

  • Cut via injury settlement: WR Jared Wayne

Minnesota Vikings

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Signed: WR Griffin Hebert
  • Waived from active/NFI list: T Gottlieb Ayedze

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

  • Signed: WR Ty Scott
  • Waived: CB Andrew Whitaker
  • Activated from active/NFI list: LB Easton Gibbs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Signed: TE Sal Cannella

Tennessee Titans

Via this transaction, the Jets are temporarily moving Reddick off their 90-man roster. Unlike placements on the active/PUP or active/NFI lists that are commonplace in July, Reddick is technically out of the mix for the Jets until his holdout ends. The trade acquisition has not shown up at any point since being traded to the Jets in March.

Diggs suffered a torn ACL during a late-September practice. He is not expected to be sidelined past Week 1, but the Cowboys will not have him at practice for a bit.

Levin has been a Titans backup for most of the past six seasons, playing regularly on special teams and starting four games during his career. An interior O-lineman, Levin played the past two seasons on one-year Tennessee deals. This marks yet another chance for Ray, a Broncos first-rounder back in 2015. This agreement comes after Ray worked out for the Titans in May. Ray, 31, spent time with the Bills during the 2023 offseason but has not played in a regular-season NFL game since 2018.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/23/24

July 23rd, 2024 at 8:25pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

  • Signed: OT Julién Davenport

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

  • Reverted to IR: WR Jared Wayne
  • Released from IR: WR Jaxon Janke

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

DE Randy Gregory Absent From Buccaneers’ Training Camp

July 23rd, 2024 at 4:23pm CST by Adam La Rose

Uncertainty continues to loom over the status of Randy Gregory. The veteran defensive end was not in attendance for the start of Buccaneers training camp, and the team placed him on the reserve/did not report list Tuesday.

Gregory was absent from mandatory minicamp last month, a move which resulted in fines being accumulated. His absence came in the wake of the discrimination lawsuit he filed against the NFL and the Broncos over usage of a prescription medication which involved THC. Considering the latest development in his situation, Gregory’ absence does not come as a surprise.

Head coach Todd Bowles said last week he had not spoken with the 31-year-old in any capacity. Meanwhile, Greg Auman of Fox Sports notes there has been no update provided by Gregory’s camp with respect to why he has not attended camp. Needless to say, his future in Tampa Bay is very much in question at this point.

Gregory did not pan out in Denver, logging just 10 games during his time with the Broncos across the 2022 and ’23 seasons. He finished out the year in San Francisco, making 12 appearances and recording 2.5 sacks. The former Cowboys second-rounder signed a one-year deal with the Buccaneers worth up to $5MM. His earnings for the year have already been affected by the fines (totaling more than $100K) he accumulated by missing minicamp, however.

Tampa Bay guaranteed $1.37MM of Gregory’s base salary, but the team would save just over $1.6MM in cap space with a release. It will be interesting to see if an update takes place in this case over the coming days or if the Buccaneers elect to cut bait if Gregory remains away from the team.

The NFL’s Eight-Figure Dead Money Hits For 2024

July 18th, 2024 at 10:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

The NFL moved into new territory this offseason, with one Broncos decision creating a staggering gap between the most costly dead money hits and No. 2 on the all-time list. Beyond Denver’s Russell Wilson release, other teams are taking on notable dead cap hits in 2024. Here are the players who will account for more than $10MM in dead money on teams’ payrolls this year.

  1. Russell Wilson, QB (Broncos): $53MM
  2. Stefon Diggs, WR (Bills): $31.1MM
  3. Kirk Cousins, QB (Vikings): $28.5MM
  4. Haason Reddick, EDGE (Eagles) $21.52MM
  5. Jamal Adams, S (Seahawks) $20.83MM
  6. J.C. Jackson, CB (Chargers): $20.83MM
  7. David Bakhtiari, T (Packers): $18.15MM
  8. Danielle Hunter, EDGE (Vikings): $14.91MM
  9. Carlton Davis, CB (Buccaneers) $14.1MM
  10. Andrus Peat, OL (Saints): $13.64MM
  11. Kevin Byard, S (Titans): $13.36MM
  12. Mike Williams, WR (Chargers): $12.46MM
  13. Aaron Jones, RB (Packers): $12.36MM
  14. Chandler Jones, EDGE (Raiders): $12.27MM
  15. Mike Evans, WR (Buccaneers): $12.19MM
  16. Keenan Allen, WR (Chargers): $11.62MM
  17. Xavien Howard, CB (Dolphins): $11.41MM
  18. Michael Thomas, WR (Saints): $11.19MM
  19. Laken Tomlinson, G (Jets): $10.74MM
  20. Leonard Williams, DL (Giants): $10.64MM
  21. Arik Armstead, DL (49ers) $10.31MM
  22. Quandre Diggs, S (Seahawks): $10.26MM
  23. Byron Jones, CB (Dolphins): $10.1MM
  24. Maliek Collins, DT (Texans): $10MM

Months after trading for Wilson, the Broncos gave the decorated quarterback a five-year, $245MM extension. While Wilson offered something of a bounce-back effort from a shockingly mediocre 2022, Sean Payton‘s team still opted to designate him as a post-June 1 cut. Wilson’s $37MM injury guarantee, which the Broncos attempted to move in an effort that led to NFLPA involvement but no grievance, would have resulted in comparable dead money in 2025 had he remained on Denver’s roster on Day 5 of the 2024 league year and then been released next year.

The Broncos will receive a small cap credit — due to Wilson’s veteran minimum Steelers deal — in 2025, but the team will take on more than $83MM in total dead money from the release. This shatters the NFL record for dead money, which the Falcons previously held by trading Matt Ryan ($40.5MM), and the contract will remain on Denver’s books through the 2025 season. The Broncos opted to take on more dead money this year than next, separating this post-June 1 cut from most teams’ strategies.

The Bills’ decision to trade Diggs less than two years after giving him a four-year extension broke the non-QB dead money record. Unlike the Wilson matter, Buffalo will take on the Pro Bowl wide receiver’s full dead cap hit this year. Ditto Green Bay, which passed on a Bakhtiari post-June 1 designation. The Chargers will also be rid of the Allen and Williams responsibilities after 2024. The Seahawks also passed on post-June 1 designations with Adams and Diggs.

New Orleans has Thomas set to count more than $9MM in dead money in 2025 as well due to using the June 1 strategy. The Dolphins are still paying out the Jones contract from a 2023 post-June 1 designation, while Howard’s post-June 1 status will create a $15.7MM dead money penalty in 2025.

Void years created the Vikings’ Cousins cap hit. After attempting to negotiate a fourth contract with the veteran quarterback last year, the parties failing to come to terms resulted in void years being added in a restructure. The Falcons came in much higher than the Vikings were willing to go, guarantee-wise, leading Minnesota to a new QB path and significant Cousins dead money.

The Eagles also included three void years on Reddick’s contract, and the Buccaneers will eat some Evans dead money — despite re-signing the 11th-year wide receiver just before free agency — due to a void year-driven trigger before the latest contract was signed.

Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles Hasn’t Had “Any Conversations” With Randy Gregory

July 18th, 2024 at 9:14pm CST by Ben Levine

Randy Gregory was a no-show from Buccaneers mandatory minicamp. With veterans set to report to Tampa Bay’s training camp on Tuesday, the status of the pass rusher is still unknown. During an appearance on The Sick Podcast, head coach Todd Bowles admitted that he’s uncertain if he’ll see Gregory on the first day of training camp.

“We have not had any conversations,” Bowles said (h/t Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com). “I expect him to be here, but we’ll see.”

Gregory inked a one-year deal with Tampa Bay earlier this offseason that could pay him up to $5MM, but the 31-year-old has already accrued more than $100K in fines thanks to his unexcused minicamp absence. It shouldn’t take Gregory very long to get acclimated with his new outside linebackers grouping. He worked under current Bucs OLB coach George Edwards when the two were in Dallas, so the veteran should at least be familiar with some of the defensive concepts.

The beginning of Gregory’s career was defined by suspensions. The former second-round pick has already been banned four times for violations of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He’s avoided trouble in recent years, but his lack of availability will surely be top of mind as the Bucs staff evaluates the roster.

Gregory is also in the midst of a lawsuit against the NFL and the Broncos, where he played for one-plus seasons. Gregory claimed that he faced more than $500K in fines for taking medications that include THC. The suit alleges discrimination, with Gregory claiming he was denied a therapeutic use exemption.

The pass rusher’s six-sack campaign with the Cowboys in 2021 helped earn him a five-year contract from Denver. He didn’t last two seasons with his new squad, getting shipped to the 49ers last October. Gregory compiled 2.5 sacks in 12 games with San Francisco, and he got into each of the 49ers’ three playoff games.

The Buccaneers were counting on Gregory to soak up some edge snaps following Shaquil Barrett‘s departure. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Yaya Diaby, and Anthony Nelson are still around from last season, and the organization added Chris Braswell in the second round of this year’s draft. That four-man grouping should be more than capable, so the team may ultimately decide to cut their losses and move on from Gregory.

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