Buccaneers Sign Garrison Sanborn
- The Buccaneers have a new long snapper, as they’ve agreed to sign Garrison Sanborn to one-year deal after working him out today, according to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times. Sanborn, 31, had appeared in 128 games for the Bills from 2009-16, but was released last week. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, recently non-tendered restricted free agent long snapper Andrew DePaola, who is recovering from an ACL tear.
Contract Details: Jones, Gresham, Church
Let’s take a look at the details of some recently-signed contracts:
- Barry Church, S (Jaguars): Four years, $21.6MM. $12MM fully guaranteed. Will earn $7.5MM in 2017 (Twitter link via Adam Caplan of ESPN.com).
- Phil Dawson, K (Cardinals): Two years, $6MM. $1.5MM guaranteed. $1MM signing bonus. $100K Pro Bowl incentive (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
- Anthony Fasano, TE (Dolphins): One year, $2.75MM. $1.25MM guaranteed. $1.25MM signing bonus (Link via Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com).
- Marquise Goodwin, WR (49ers): Two years, $6MM. $4.45MM guaranteed. $2.5MM signing bonus (Link via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com).
- Jermaine Gresham, TE (Cardinals): Four years, $28MM. $13MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of USA Today).
- Chandler Jones, LB (Cardinals): Five years, $82.5MM. $22MM guaranteed. $15MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe).
- Jordan Poyer, S (Bills): Four years, $13MM. $6MM guaranteed. $3.5MM signing bonus (Link via Rodak).
- J.J. Wilcox, S (Buccaneers): Two years, $6.5MM. $3.125MM guaranteed. $1MM available via incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Paul Worrilow, LB (Lions): One year, $3MM. $2.75MM guaranteed. $750K guaranteed. $1MM available via incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
Licht: Evans' Pay Day Is Coming
- Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans was excited about the team’s acquisition of receiver DeSean Jackson, and general manager Jason Licht made it clear to the player that his payday was coming (via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times on Twitter). “We have until May,” Licht said of the player’s impending fifth-year option. “Mike Evans hopefully is going to be here a long time.”
[SOURCE LINK]
Contract Details: Campbell, Demps, Wheaton
Let’s take a look the financial details of some recently-signed contracts:
- Mike Adams, S (Panthers): Two years, $4.2MM. $1.15MM guaranteed. $650K signing bonus. $00K available annually via Pro Bowl and interception incentives (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
- Calais Campbell, DL (Jaguars): Four years, $60MM. $30MM guaranteed. $6MM signing bonus. Base salaries $9MM (guaranteed), $15MM (guaranteed), $12MM, $15MM. $3MM option bonus for 2019 (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Marcus Cooper, CB (Bears): Three years, $16MM. $8MM guaranteed. $1.5MM signing bonus. $1MM available annually in Pro Bowl and interception incentives (Twitter links via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune).
- Quintin Demps, S (Bears): Three years, $13.5MM. $5MM guaranteed. $1MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Ryan Griffin, TE (Texans): Three years, $9MM. $3.225MM guaranteed. Annual $100K workout base de-escalator (Twitter links via Wilson).
- D.J. Hayden, CB (Lions): One year, $3.75MM. $2.25MM guaranteed. $1MM signing bonus. $250K workout bonus. $1.5MM available via incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Ted Larsen, OL (Dolphins): Three years, $5.65MM. $1.75MM guaranteed. $1.25MM signing bonus. $500K escalator in 2018. $1MM escalator in 2019 (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Josh Robinson, CB (Buccaneers): Two years, $5M. $2MM guaranteed. $1MM roster bonus due on eighth day of 2017 league year. $1.75MM team option in 2018. $750K available via incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Cornelius Washington, DL (Lions): Two years, $5.825MM. $1.5MM signing bonus. $1.5MM guaranteed (link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).
- Markus Wheaton, WR (Bears): Two years, $11MM. $5MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times)
- Terrance Williams, WR (Cowboys): Four years, $17MM. $9.5MM guaranteed. $5MM signing bonus. 2020 option season. Annual $200K workout base salary de-escalator (Twitter links via Wilson).
Contract Details: Britt, Wagner, Broncos
Let’s take a look at the details of some recently signed free agent contracts:
- Kenny Britt‘s four-year Browns deal will provide the ninth-year wide receiver with $10.5MM fully guaranteed at signing, per Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Britt will collect $17MM over the first two seasons of this deal, Caplan reports.
- The Lions‘ lavish accord for Ricky Wagner raises the right tackle ceiling, although the base salaries in this contract don’t reflect that early. Wagner will see $3MM in base salary in 2017 and ’18 before those figures spike to $9MM per year from 2019-21, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. Wagner’s deal provides $17.5MM in true guarantees, with his 2018 salary being fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the ’18 league year, per Birkett. Wagner’s 2019 base salary is guaranteed against injury. He received a $14.5MM signing bonus, while the former Raven’s cap hits will be $5.9MM in each of the next two seasons.
- D.J. Fluker‘s one-year Giants pact is expected to be worth $3MM, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv reports. That’s quite a bit lower than what the Chargers would have paid him ($8.82MM) if they kept him after picking up his fifth-year option.
- Menelik Watson‘s three-year, $18.75MM Broncos accord will give the British blocker $5.375MM in fully guaranteed money at signing, Mike Klis of 9News reports. Watson received a $4MM signing bonus. The former Raider will have a $5.5MM guaranteed-against-injury salary in 2018 and is due a nonguaranteed $5.5MM amount in 2019.
- Ronald Leary‘s four-year contract with the Broncos also comes with a fully guaranteed 2018 salary, which will pay former Cowboy $7.65MM for his age-29 season, per Klis. Leary is slated to make $8.15MM in 2019 and ’20, respectively. His 2019 base salary is guaranteed against injury only, with the ’20 slate being nonguaranteed.
- Russell Shepard‘s three-year Panthers deal will be worth $10.5MM, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports. The contract includes a $2MM signing bonus and $2.5MM guaranteed. Laine notes the former Bucs wideout will make $4MM in 2017.
- Sealver Siliga‘s one-year Buccaneers deal can max out at $1.5MM, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. The contract contains a $200K signing bonus and a $100K roster bonus for the nomadic defensive lineman.
Buccaneers To Re-Sign Josh Robinson
The Buccaneers have reached an agreement to re-sign cornerback Josh Robinson to a two-year, $6.5MM deal that includes $3.5MM guaranteed, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Robinson, 26, signed a one-year, $2MM deal with Tampa Bay last offseason, joining the Bucs after four years with the Vikings. He barely played — at least on defense — in 2016, however, managing all of two defensive snaps. Instead, Robinson’s contributions came on special teams, where he played on nearly 70% of Tampa’s plays, emerging as an excellent gunner.
While Robinson’s price tag could foretell a larger role on defense in 2017, he’ll likely be stuck behind Brent Grimes, Vernon Hargreaves, and others when the regular season begins.
Buccaneers To Re-Sign DT Sealver Siliga
The Buccaneers have agreed to re-sign defensive tackle Sealver Siliga, according to
Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link). It’s a one-year deal, tweets 
Siliga’s agency.
Tampa Bay claimed Siliga off waivers last November after he was waived by the Seahawks. In six games with the Bucs, the 27-year-old compiled five tackles and one sack. Between 2014 and 2015, Siliga started nine games (in 20 appearances) for the Patriots, collecting 60 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Last offseason, the defensive tackle earned a one-year, $1.4MM ($250K guaranteed) contract from Seattle.
Siliga will presumably compete with Clinton McDonald to be the primary substitute for starting defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Chris Baker.
Buccaneers Sign J.J. Wilcox
J.J. Wilcox has found a new home. Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports (via Twitter) that the safety has signed a deal with the Buccaneers. NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo says (via Twitter) that it will be a two-year deal worth up to $8.5MM.
We’ve been hearing all week that there was mutual interest between both sides. However, Wilcox appeared to have a number of suitors. His former team, the Cowboys, were interested in bringing him back following the departure of Barry Church. The Seahawks and Dolphins were also connected to the free agent.
The former third-round had played his entire four-year career in Dallas. Wilcox served mostly as a sub during his first season in the league, but he established himself as a starter between 2014 and 2015. Last season, the safety reverted to a backup, as he finished with a career-low four starts (in 13 games) after losing his job to rookie Byron Jones.
The 26-year-old was still plenty productive. Wilcox finished the campaign with 49 tackles, one forced fumble, one interception, and a career-high six passes defended. Thanks to his performance, PFR listed him as the 12-best available safety in our positional free agent rankings.
Wilcox will joined a Buccaneers safety corps that includes Chris Conte, Keith Tandy, and Ryan Smith.
Mutual Interest Between Nick Foles, Bucs
The Buccaneers are eyeing Nick Foles, reports Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link), who adds the interest is mutual. Tampa Bay is in the market for a new backup quarterback after Mike Glennon signed with the Bears on Thursday.
Foles, 28, appeared in three games for the Chiefs in 2016 (one start), completing 36 of 55 attempts for 410 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. While his single start was an impressive showing, Foles lacks a history of solid play. After tossing 27 touchdowns with the Eagles in 2013, Foles’ next two campaigns were middling, and he wasn’t able to keep his starting job with the Rams.
Kansas City officially declined its 2017 option on Foles yesterday, and he’s already been linked to the Vikings since that time.
Panthers Sign Russell Shepard
The Panthers have signed free agent wide receiver Russell Shepard to a three-year deal, reports David Newton of ESPN.com. Shepard was a popular free agent in this cycle, drawing interest from six teams in total. 
The incumbent Buccaneers, Bills, and Lions also worked to sign Shepard this week. Reportedly, some of the teams interested in Shepard believed that he could be a No. 3 receiver, with a chance of being a No. 2 WR. Other clubs reportedly offered to make him “one of the highest-paid special-teams players in the league with multiple offensive packages.”
Shepard showed what he could do on offense last season, recording 23 receptions for 341 yards and two touchdowns. It will be interesting to see how the Panthers use the former Bucs special teams captain.
The Panthers wide receiver depth chart is now headlined by Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funchess, and Russell Shepard. Brenton Bersin and Damiere Byrd currently project to hold the WR4 and WR5 spots, but lots can change between now and September. Wide receiver Laron Byrd was not retained as restricted free agent and Philly Brown is meeting with other teams.