Right they wanted to pay Evans so where is the money going now? Is Licht going to go just consider this off season a loss and cut his losses.
the point of my question
SR write an article suggesting no big FA without trade due to cash budget and cap. They didn't trade any of the people he suggested but they aren't paying Evans and maybe next LVD ... and they only refinanced one player (SR predicted only as needed) so they aren't doing anything that would suggest more FAs are coming, except maybe value guys.
That has been the mode for 4 years. Dead cap gone. The only thing left is wanting to bleed out remaining contracts
Your theory is wrong. Licht confirms they were willing to pay Evans and the Bucs offer was higher from the Bucs compared to the 49ers. Also Licht has said openly as well that LVD is welcomed back at any time.
Again cap space isn't a limiting factor if you really want players back in the fold. The problem is the Bucs FO is too satisfied with the current roster which is the problem. No sense of urgency and business as usual as if they were the divisional winner last year.
The problem is the Bucs FO is too satisfied with the current roster which is the problem.
Okay I get your point now.
the one potential snag with your take might be that just last season Licht applauded Bowles for his performance with what he had to work with. The offseason after they added a bust FA at edge and mostly drafted so not sure that was much of a change.
but still point taken
Patriots add CB Kindle Vildor according to his agent.
Again cap space isn't a limiting factor if you really want players back in the fold.
Yup. I'll update a previous post:
Allow me to push back on the salary cap limitations. Here the contracts handed out since Todd Bowles arrived and was promoted to HC:
Todd Bowles is hired as DC
2019 - $41.44M (Suh, Perriman, Barrett, Pinion, etc.)
2020 - $75.29M (Brady, Suh, Fournette, Gronk, Brown, etc.)
2021 - $60.55M (Suh, Succop, Fournette, Gronk, Brown, etc.)
Todd Bowles is promoted to HC
2022 - $100.52M (Brady, Gage, Fournette, etc.)
2023 - $91.34M (Dean, Nelson, David, Mayfield, etc.)
2024 - $417.10M (Wirfs, Mayfield, Winfield, Evans, McLaughlin, David, Whitehead, etc.)
2025 - $46.13M (Reddick, Nelson, Gaines, etc.)
2026 - $81.26M (Otton, Anzalone, Gainwell, Robinston, etc.)
They have spent more money and handed out larger contracts while Todd Bowles was the HC than ever before. The salary cap is an excuse the Bowles cannot use.
Right it comes down to value. The Bucs spent their money more wisely in 2019 and 2020 obviously.
Suh, Barrett, Brady, Fournette, Brown were all very good value signings.
2023 and 2024 due to cap crunch chose to re-sign their own. I see not fault in that to be honest.
2025 was the last year of the cap crunch but they rolled the dice and lost with Reddick. Still he was really the only notable outside addition.
2026 was an opportunity to add value signings and while I think their defensive signings are pretty good value I think the money spent on offense is problematic (KG, Browning, Otton). Bucs were prepared to spend more money to bring Evans back too which would shift a lot of the cap space spent on offense. But since that didn't happen Licht can balance a bit more and spend more money on defense but is choosing not to do so.
But since that didn't happen Licht can balance a bit more and spend more money on defense but is choosing not to do so.
why? In your opinion
seems that cap space is basic math so what is wrong about the other post (Greattimes) on cap that makes you say it's a choice?
The Vikings offer sheet for Ryan Van Demark has gone through. The Bills declined to match and he will be going to the Vikings now as a swing tackle to replace Skule. 1 year $4.22 MM guaranteed.
Jaguars are signing Seattle's WR Jake Bobo to an offer sheet for 2 year $5.5. MM deal.
The Falcons have traded for Safety Sydney Brown from the Eagles. Both teams will swap fourth and six round picks. Brown is on the last year of his rookie contract which is worth $1.58 MM and will be depth behind Watts and Bates.
Eagles sign Marcus Epps and JT Gray to replenish their safety depth. Both players have signed 1 year deals.
Lions sign DL Payton Turner
Chiefs re-sing LB Jack Cochrane on a 1 year deal.
But since that didn't happen Licht can balance a bit more and spend more money on defense but is choosing not to do so.
why? In your opinion
seems that cap space is basic math so what is wrong about the other post (Greattimes) on cap that makes you say it's a choice?
Bucs were planning on doing another restructure or two to fit Evans in so it was clear the Bucs do not care about those contracts future impact if they were willing to pay more than the 49ers to keep him a Buc.
But since that didn't happen Licht can balance a bit more and spend more money on defense but is choosing not to do so.
why? In your opinion
seems that cap space is basic math so what is wrong about the other post (Greattimes) on cap that makes you say it's a choice?
Bucs were planning on doing another restructure or two to fit Evans in so it was clear the Bucs do not care about those contracts future impact if they were willing to pay more than the 49ers to keep him a Buc.
I think we are actually making the same point, just different directions.
I have said that for the past 3 season FINANCES (dead cap etc) have trumped competitiveness. I thought your position was "NO, they just like/believe in the players they have." IN another post you pointed to keeping their own.
My version and SR's verion of finances over competitiveness now that we are past the dead cap is dealing with top verteran contracts
This season they LOSE Evans and then they do NOT restructure those veteran contracts to get more players to improve their competitiveness. You seem to be saying that they WERE prepared to do so though if they keep Evans. Keeping Evans goes way beyond competitiveness, right? LVD hurts the teams competitiveness, they have not signed him but said . . HE'S WELCOMED BACK (ie they put it on him) while signing his replacement in FA.
If competitiveness was winning out over finances then the minute they lost Evans they go out and get a marquee edge rusher by restructuring 2 or 3 more contracts. That is NOT happening.Once again they are asking Bowles to make due with what they can get together WITHIN the confines of their fiscal discipline first approach. Trying to keep Evans - a HOF legend - doesnt erase 3 years of fiscal discipline first.
The Bucs don't care about veteran contracts they were going to do more restructures of veteran contracts to keep Evans and LVD is welcomed back. The idea the Bucs are looking for a youth movement with their inaction is bullocks.
The Bucs have the past three seasons have added enough youth to turn over the roster. Time for the Bucs to put up or shut up or we are looking at another lost decade because the Glazers are looking at their foreign teams again.
The Bucs don't care about veteran contracts they were going to do more restructures of veteran contracts
and yet . .
I guess we will see
PR
Bucs will turn their attention to CB in FA as they need a pair to replace Jamel Dean & Kindle Vildor on the roster. Two names to keep an eye on are Cleveland's Martin Emerson (25) & Miami's Rasul Douglas (30). Both have good size at 6-2. Martin missed 2025 w/Achilles injury.
The #Buccaneers are expected to sign linebacker Christian Rozeboom, sources tell
. Posted 122 tackles for the #Panthers last season after tallying 135 tackles for the #Rams in 2024.
The Bucs may be tired of waiting for LVD to make a decision.The #Buccaneers are expected to sign linebacker Christian Rozeboom, sources tell
. Posted 122 tackles for the #Panthers last season after tallying 135 tackles for the #Rams in 2024.
Good.
Licht woke up from his slumber. Now that the Bucs have a legit LB room with Anzalone, Rozeeboom. Dennis and Nick Jackson bring the rear. So far the signings on defense have been 100% on point.