QB Jameis Winston
Current contract: Four years, $25.35 million, plus a fifth-year option picked up for 2019 at $20.92 million.
What the Bucs should do: In his first year in Arians’ offense, Winston has accounted for a league-high 4,908 passing yards through 15 games. But his 28 interceptions are 10 more than the closest players (Philip Rivers and Baker Mayfield). His 31 passing touchdowns are second only to MVP candidate Lamar Jackson. That warrants a return, but they should not give him a long-term deal at this point.
A franchise tag, a transition tag or a short-term, two-year deal would be ideal, as it would reward Winston for some of the positives, while still reinforcing the notion that he must cut down on his turnovers, which Arians believes will drop after Year 1.
Franchise tags for quarterbacks are pricey and projected to be $26.7 million for 2020, while transition tags are expected to be roughly $24.27 million. Transition tags guarantee the original club the right of first refusal to match any offer the player might receive from another team. In 2020, teams are allowed to use both a franchise tag and a transition tag because it’s the final year of the current collective bargaining agreement.
Prediction: Re-sign
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OLB Shaquil Barrett
While Barrett desires long-term security, tagging would give the Bucs more time to work out a deal for him after the new CBA is implemented. If the Bucs wind up using a franchise tag on Winston, however, they would not have this option with Barrett and would have to either re-sign or give him a transition tag -- as teams can’t tag two players with the same designation.
Prediction: Re-sign
Jenna Laine
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