Antoine Winfield Jr. is a franchise player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This much has been affirmed as he was featured in the team’s creamsicle uniform unveiling video earlier last week. With his status as a player clearly defined, his words carry plenty of weight.

This is why that – on the same day as the uniform reveal – his interview with Richard Sherman on the Richard Sherman Podcast is intriguing for what he had to say on various topics. Chatting with his former Bucs teammate, Winfield talked about becoming a veteran already, the matchup he most looks forward to, and his goals for this season in Todd Bowles’ defense. It is definitely worth a watch.

Antoine Winfield Jr. Has Quickly Become A “Vet”

Antoine Winfield Jr. is only going to be turning 25 years old this August. Still, on a team that has gotten younger across the roster, he has taken the role of a veteran. He still hasn’t quite gotten used how to how quickly he’s obtained that title.

“It’s weird man,” Winfield said. “All these rookies coming in, I’m like, ‘Man, it’s already Year 4?!’ I’m like, ‘Oh my goodness, everybody calling me vet’ – whoa – this time is going by so fast, it’s insane. It’s scary how fast it goes by though, but you know, I enjoy every moment of it.”

Bucs S Antoine Winfield, Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

It does not seem like that long ago the Bucs selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Since then, he has been one of the biggest steals for the team in recent memory. Now, it is more than his play that needs to do the talking. Being a leader also means helping the other guys around him.

One of those guys includes undrafted rookie Chris Izien. This offseason, he has impressed in the nickel role and will attempt to claim one of the backup safety spots to start the season.

Undrafted rookies having a pathway to contributing was not the case on the veteran-laden rosters the past couple of seasons. That speaks to just how young – and unproven – most of the secondary is.

Besides Winfield, the other established Bucs in the secondary are cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean. Being selected in 2018 and 2019, respectively, all three have won a Super Bowl together and know how to play with each other.

“We’ve been through so much together,” Winfield added. “I’m glad that they are still on the team and have these great contracts. It’s been fun to develop and grow with those guys because they’ve been here ever since I’ve been here. It’s always great playing with them, and I feel like the more we play together, the better chemistry that we have, and it’s just been awesome.”

When Sherman asked him about how last season went, Winfield had plenty of positive takeaways. Yes, the season did not go how the team wanted it to. Even though that was the case, he had a chance to learn plenty by lining up in various spots on the back end.

“It was different for me last season; they moved me around a little bit more. I got a chance [at] nickel and then free safety and back and forth. It was an interesting year; it’s different when you are man-to-man in a slot with all that space. It was a fun year, just to be able to learn pretty much the entire back end of the defense because I had to be everywhere. And so I feel like it was a great learning curve for me.”

Even “Uncle Sherm” had to grasp the ins and outs of Todd Bowles’ defense when he signed with the team briefly in 2021. Mentioning the convoluted defensive scheme, he stated that it is like learning “trigonometry on the fly,” to which Winfield agreed.

“Facts, it’s very complex – I’m not going to lie.”

Antoine Winfield Jr. Looks Forward To One Particular Division Matchup

Looking ahead to this season, there is one opponent Winfield is looking forward to playing against.

Bucs QB Tom Brady, Bucs WR Mike Evans and Saints CB Marshon Lattimore – Photo by: USA Today

If you guessed the Saints, you would be correct. The rivalry between the two teams has reached new heights in the past couple of seasons. From high-stakes games to on-field scuffles, there is no love lost between the two division foes.

“Like every year, the game that I look most forward to is against the Saints. Those are, you know, the rivals right there. Coming in my first year, I learned quickly that, we got that rivalry there. Man, every game, every time we play against them, it’s just ratcheted up to another level, and it’s intense. I love playing the Saints, and looking forward to them.”

What will add to the intensity – besides the Mike Evans-Marshon Lattimore matchup – is the fact that both teams will have a new quarterback lined up under center. While the Saints have solidified the position by signing Derek Carr, it will be weeks before the Bucs announce Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask as the starter.

Regardless, both games will be circled on Winfield’s calendar, and he has some big goals in mind for this season.

What Goals Does Antoine Winfield Jr. Have Playing In Bucs’ Secondary?

Playing in his contract year, Winfield will look to have a big season right before a well-deserved payday. If he can do that and help to create more turnovers in a secondary devoid of having many last season, it will also help Tampa Bay get back to having a top defense. He expects nothing less.

Bucs S Antoine Winfield, Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Goals as a defense, we want to be the number one defense this year. We’ve got the talent around us to do that, so that’s the number one priority, to be the number one defense.

“Outside of that, for me personally, touching the ball more man, interceptions. I gotta get my interceptions up; it’s a contract year. I’m happy, I’m excited, so making sure I touch that ball and stay healthy. Those are the two big goals, creating takeaways and just staying healthy for real.”

The defensive side of the ball is what will keep the Bucs in games more than anything else. It is a unit still boasting plenty of player recognition and established production. As Winfield transitions back to free safety, he returns to his natural role within Todd Bowles’ defense.

“I’m happy; that’s my main position, free safety. Being in the middle of the field and doing everything that way. I’m happy, and especially in this system – it’s very complex, so it’s cool to just be able to focus on the free safety role, as far as moving around.”

Antoine Winfield Jr. Speaks On Relationship With HC Todd Bowles

Bucs S Antoine Winfield Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

For his whole career so far, Winfield has played under Bowles, both as a defensive coordinator and head coach. There are plenty of things that Bowles must do himself this season to secure his long-term job status, but building a relationship with his star safety is not one of them.

“He’s still the head coach, but he’s still the DC, calling all the plays and things like that. I thought it was great [for him to become head coach] because he was my DC for my first two years. So you already get that relationship, and now having them as the head coach – sometimes the head coach is the head coach, you don’t really conversate too much. 

“But I’ve known him as the DC for the last few years, so it was awesome to build that relationship from there and just to carry that on to him being the head coach. We definitely talk more, we meet more, and it’s just cool seeing him in that position because he’s a great guy and a great coach.”