The Bucs had some major good news prior to the start of free agency on Sunday. Not only did Tom Brady make an announcement that he’s returning to play for the 2022 season, Tampa Bay re-signed center Ryan Jensen to a three-year deal worth a reported $39 million. The Bucs also re-signed top reserve guard Aaron Stinnie to a one-year deal. That  helps mitigate the loss of retired Pro Bowl guard Ali Marpet.

But unlike 2021 when the Bucs re-signed every starter in order to make another run at the Super Bowl the team won’t be in financial position to do that this offseason. Tampa Bay is bracing for the potential loss of right guard Alex Cappa in free agency. Will the return of Tom Brady help the Bucs retain Cappa? We’ll find out soon enough.

Why Cappa May Not Be Back

Bucs QB Tom Brady, RG Alex Cappa and C Ryan Jensen – Photo by: USA Today

Cappa is expected to fetch $10 million or more per season in free agency, possibly from an offensive line-needy team like Cincinnati. The Bucs want Cappa back, but may not be able to compete for him at that number.

Tampa Bay has paid three offensive linemen in excess of $10 million or more as recently as last year. Jensen, Marpet and left tackle Donovan Smith have all made that much or more over the last three years. But Jensen and Marpet were Pro Bowlers and Smith played at a Pro Bowl level for most of the season.

Cappa, a third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, has been a three-year starter for the Bucs. He’s developed into a quality guard after playing left tackle at Humboldt State. But Cappa probably has a ceiling that’s short of that of a Pro Bowl player.

The Bucs will need some future cap space for a contract extension for All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs, who is entering his third season. The 29-year old Smith is only under contract through the 2023 season. So that means that the team must be careful with what it can offer Cappa in a long-term deal.