I had an interesting conversation with my neighbor across the street yesterday. He is speculating with all the recent moves in the past year or two that the Glazer family is setting up the franchise for a sale. The Mayfield and Vea contracts not being renewed. Evans leaving and LVD retiring saving money. Other key player contracts up for renewal. Bowles possibly a lame duck going into this season. A lot of question marks for the future of the franchise. I countered by pointing out how committed the Glazers are to the Bucs, referring him to the "Raise the Flags" documentary which revealed how emotionally invested they are in the team and the community. I don't know. Just throwing it out to the RB for discussion fodder.
i don't see the correlation
LVD retired because he was washed and played a shit ton for a career. They repurposed his money on other linebackers
The Bucs tried to retain Mike Evans so it wasn't a money thing there. They also spent a lot on draft capital in recent years on the WR position
Vita Vea is 31 years old. Unless the DT's are a freak of nature (Aaron Donald), this is usually around the time they start to break down. Given Vea's physic, i think they are just being cautious on the approach. Personally, they should see if they can extend him a year or 2 at most. They don't necessary have his replacement waiting in the wings. If he wants Jaelen Carter type money than they really should trade him albeit it hurting Bucs chances this season.
and Baker, i've discussed at nauseum. Had a down year by all respects and is still under contract. Baker wants to be in Tampa and Bucs want him in Tampa (as of today) however Bucs are being smart as they navigate the way forward. If he has another down year, Bucs have another losing record, Bucs get a new head coach, do they really want to handcuff themselves to a middle of the pack QB in which they are committing $200M+ to over the next 4 years. They are being cautious and given Baker is level headed about it, not necessary a bad thing for him to have another prove it year.
So....not saying the Glazers won't sell, just saying, this offseason moves has no correlation to it in my opinion
They repurposed his money on other linebackers
Correct. They are and have been spending money.
The only place they didn't spend is paying the HC to go away after the needless extension last offseason and horrendous collapse to finish the season.
They repurposed his money on other linebackers
Correct. They are and have been spending money.
The only place they didn't spend is paying the HC to go away after the needless extension last offseason and horrendous collapse to finish the season.
that premature extension for the life of me will never understand
Probably the most egregious premature extension, subsequent collapse of a season, and somehow remained head coach i've ever seen....
I had an interesting conversation with my neighbor across the street yesterday. He is speculating with all the recent moves in the past year or two that the Glazer family is setting up the franchise for a sale. The Mayfield and Vea contracts not being renewed. Evans leaving and LVD retiring saving money. Other key player contracts up for renewal. Bowles possibly a lame duck going into this season. A lot of question marks for the future of the franchise. I countered by pointing out how committed the Glazers are to the Bucs, referring him to the "Raise the Flags" documentary which revealed how emotionally invested they are in the team and the community. I don't know. Just throwing it out to the RB for discussion fodder.
anything is possible but yes they seem committed. FWIW, when they first took over and the team underperformed there were all kinds of ManU conspiracy theories that focused on ManU allegedly sucking up all their cash. Time ended those.
A simpler explanation, if you're into Occom's Razor type stuff, was actually offered by Bowles friend and supporter Pat Kirwan. I just posted it in the other thread but here it is
"So from the [NFL front office] world I came from, you know, the first suspicion I have and it’s pretty easy to have it is let’s not extend anybody in case we’re dumping our coach at the end of the season and we wanna give the new guy, not the hang up of all these fat contracts,” Kirwan said
You do know that teams are required to spend 89% of the maximum salary cap. That would be 279 million in 2026.
You do know that teams are required to spend 89% of the maximum salary cap. That would be 279 million in 2026.
They already have more than that in cap liability next season.
I had an interesting conversation with my neighbor across the street yesterday. He is speculating with all the recent moves in the past year or two that the Glazer family is setting up the franchise for a sale. The Mayfield and Vea contracts not being renewed. Evans leaving and LVD retiring saving money. Other key player contracts up for renewal. Bowles possibly a lame duck going into this season. A lot of question marks for the future of the franchise. I countered by pointing out how committed the Glazers are to the Bucs, referring him to the "Raise the Flags" documentary which revealed how emotionally invested they are in the team and the community. I don't know. Just throwing it out to the RB for discussion fodder.
I have to agree given the Seahawk recent sale moved the needle for the market in favor of the sellers.
It all adds up to a franchise that is going into a new chapter.
Ownership's decision after the 2024 season coming back to bite them in the ass, like a few of us on here said it would.
Fuckin' clowns...
It is a complete organizational failure because Licht has to do better to communicate true intent with these players. If Vea says something like this I doubt he is doing so because his agent coached up to take that position all of a sudden. If Vea and his agent are not being communicated by the front office then that is not a good look. Even if the FO has no offer they can say so openly and that ends that discussion even if it makes Vea upset. Because obviously the silence is a lot worse given how vocal Vea is being about this.
Mayfield is frustrated that the team is digging in on what should be a straight forward contract structure. Either way Licht has to do a better job communicating true intent.
