The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have finally reached a decision on their franchise tag, shortly before Tuesday’s deadline.
After agreeing a new contract with Mike Evans on Monday that prevents the star wide receiver from reaching free agency, the Bucs have now placed the franchise tag on safety Antoine Winfield Jr, as per the NFL Network.
Winfield’s tag will cost just over $17million for 2024, but the team now has until mid-July to agree a long-term deal and avoid him playing on the tag.
Last season saw Winfield emerge as the leader in the Bucs’ secondary as he had 122 tackles, three interceptions and four fumble recoveries on his way to earning All-Pro honours and finishing sixth in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.
With Tampa Bay having decided to assign the franchise tag to Winfield, it means that quarterback Baker Mayfield is now due to become an unrestricted free agent next week.
The team are still looking to re-sign Mayfield and will look to seal a deal before the start of the new league year on Wednesday, March 13.
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