In an effort to get under the salary cap before the start of the new league year, the Bucs have completed another contract restructure. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Tampa Bay has reworked the contract of wide receiver Russell Gage.

The Bucs are moving Gage’s $10 million salary cap hit to $7 million, but making it fully guaranteed. Gage will also have the chance to earn many incentives to reach the original total this season.

This move helps the Bucs become salary cap compliant. They needed to do so by Wednesday, March 15, which is the start of the league year.

Gage Looking For A Rebound Season In Year 2 With Bucs

Bucs WR Russell Gage – Photo by: USA Today

Gage, who was the crown jewel of the Bucs’ 2022 offseason after signing a three-year $30 million deal with the defending NFC South champions, had a lackluster year last season.

He was in jeopardy of getting cut this offseason, given he is stuck behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin on the depth chart and disappointed with a lack of production. Gage was originally signed to be a safety net while Godwin worked back from a torn ACL. He joined fellow former Atlanta Falcon Julio Jones on a wide receiver depth chart that looked extremely formidable prior to the season, but underachieved due to injury, usage and a lack of separation.

Gage, for his part, succumbed to the injury bug at the outset of the season, too. During training camp, he suffered a hamstring injury that plagued him throughout the season. He missed four games in 2022 and failed to finish several others. Gage ended the season with 51 catches for 426 yards (8.4 yards per catch) and five touchdowns. He also recorded a Pro Football Focus grade of 67.7 for the season, which was his lowest grade since the 2019 season.

Bucs WRs Mike Evans and Russell Gage – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Between his injury and Godwin returning to the starting lineup for Week 1 in Dallas, Gage never quite got the opportunity he was signed for, especially as Tampa Bay’s offense struggled.

Jones became a free agent at the end of the season, along with Scotty Miller and Breshad Perriman. Gage’s contract restructure keeps him third on the Bucs’ depth chart now, with only Deven Thompkins after him, Evans and Godwin.

The receiver room should look new after that with Miller and Perriman unexpected to return. Tampa Bay will look to get faster at the position and could select a receiver in the upcoming NFL Draft in late April. Which round they’ll draft someone at the position is undetermined, but it might not happen until Day 2 or 3 because of other roster needs.

This is a huge year for Gage to prove he’s worth his three-year deal. Beginning the season healthy should help start things off with a clean slate next season, especially working in a new system under new offensive coordinator Dave Canales.