According to NFL Network’s Mike Giardi, Bucs center Ryan Jensen could be in line for a massive pay day in free agency. It’s no secret the Bucs would love to keep Jensen, but the cost will be important. Per Giardi, the soon-to-be 31-year old could command an offer similar to Chiefs’ guard Joe Thuney a year ago.

Last offseason, Thuney received a five-year, $80 million contract from the Chiefs. The deal also came with almost $47 million in guaranteed money. So will Jensen get similar offers?

Despite Giardi’s report, that seems like a long shot. The biggest difference will likely be the term length of the contract. Thuney was 28 when he got paid, so a five-year deal made sense. Jensen will be 31 in a few weeks, and five years would take him through his age 35 season. It’s possible, but not likely a team would offer that long of a deal.

However, Giardi could be in striking distance of the annual value of Jensen’s next contract. Eagles center Jason Kelce just re-set the market at center with a 1-year, $14 million deal. It’s conceivable that Jensen could command similar offers, but with a few more years tacked on. Teams view Jensen as not only an outstanding player, but also a culture changer for a young offensive line. His prowess at setting protections and pre-snap communication will make him desirable for several teams with young quarterbacks.

My guess is that Jensen lands more in the $14-$15 million per year range, rather than the $16 million Thuney received. Still, he has a great chance to re-set the market at center once again. Four years ago, the Bucs made Jensen the highest-paid center in the NFL with a $10.5 million per year offer. Will they do it again in a few days?