A new Pewter report debuts every Tuesday at Pewterreport.com. Every week, Pewter reporters tackle another tough Bucs question. This week’s prompt: Which BUCs will need to obtain contract extensions this offseason?
Scott Reynolds: Bucs must lock Baker Mayfield for long term
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo: Cliff Welch/Pr
Bucs dug up when he re-signed the quarterback in the 2024 offseason Baker Mayfield It’s a three-year contract worth $100 million. But with $33.3 million a year, Mayfield was the third-highest paid quarterback in the NFC South with Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins and New Orleans’ Derek Kerr at $37.5 million a year. As in 2023, Mayfield has once again proven to be the best quarterback in the division with a personal best of 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns in 2024. Mayfield has earned a pay raise and should come in the form of an extension this offseason.
The deal the Falcons gave to their aging cousins came from a torn Achilles, but they were stupid. So Tampa Bay should not be punished for Atlanta’s stupidity, especially as Cousins is on the bench for Michael Penix Jr., the team’s first round pick last year. It’s a bit rich to give Mayfield a $12 million salary increase and make him more than his cousin. But Mayfield deserves more to make than Kerr, so if Mayfield agrees to an extension of two years, it seems fair to smash him up to $38 million a year. It will continue to sign him until 2028. Mayfield will turn 30 in April, so an extension until 34 will keep him out.
Mayfield is currently the 19th highest paid quarterback, and when he moves him to $38 million a year, he will be No. 15 on the list. This is really good value for the Bucs in the long run, especially as overpaid quarterbacks like Cousins, Deshaun Watson ($45 million) and Dak Prescott ($60 million) are also on his previous list. Mayfield’s first three-year contract was fully guaranteed, so a two-year extension and a salary increase should be enough incentive for him to make the deal. Tampa Bay could potentially cut off much greater contract demand with the 2027 pass, when Mayfield is set to become a free agent again.
MattMatera: Keep Cade Otton as the Bucs’ starting tight end
Bucs Te Cade Otton – Photo: USA Today
The Bucs know what he has in Cade Otton and it’s important to move forward the tight end that started him. Otton really showed the value of the Bucs last season after Chris Godwin was lost for the rest of the season in Week 7 and Mike Evans missed three games. Otton received 100 yards, 81 yards, 77 yards and 35 yards of games when Tampa Bay’s best target came out.
Tampa Bay was able to extend Otton on a four-year contract worth $13 million per season. In comparison, Saints Tight End Juwan Johnson has signed a three-year contract worth $10 million per season. Otton had more yards and touchdowns than Johnson last year. Additionally, he is a better blocker and has been used in several different ways for BUCS in their attacks.
Otton has proven that he can be his main target, but he understands what his role is when all of Tampa Bay’s weapons are healthy. He had a clutch moment and was able to get the key first when he needed a big play, which was greatly improved as a blocker in the running game. Otton isn’t in the tier 1 category of tight ends in the league, but the Bucs have valuable players to stay on the roster with the extension.
Bailey Adams: The Bucks have two reasons to rock Mike Evans in 2026
Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo: USA Today
In his final offseason, the Bucs signed Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans to a new two-year deal to ensure he has the opportunity to become a BUC for the rest of his life. He locked him up for the 31st season of 2024 and the 32-age season of 2025. And in that age 31 season, he tied Jerry Rice’s NFL record with the longest winning streak of a season of 1,000 yards, surpassing the 11-game winning streak despite losing 3.5 games.
Not only that, Evans also brought in 11 touchdowns, marking his second straight campaign for the fourth time in the last five years, with double-digit touchdowns. He showed no signs of slowing down in 2024. It’s hard to imagine him calling it a career after 2025. So the team has him signed at age 33 and then can go every year with the best offensive players in franchise history, as long as he wants to continue playing.
Beyond things, in addition to pushing Evans’ next contract year into the future, signing Evans for a year extension will bring in additional cap savings for the Bucs. In me Bucs Battle Plan for 2025, This season, we included an extension of $23.5 million over the year for a future Hall of Fame that could provide Tampa Bay with $15,766,668 in savings. With multiple reasons to accomplish this, it feels like an easy thing for the Buccaneers front office.
Josh Queipo: Zyon McCollum offers value opportunities
Bucs CB Zyon McCollum – Photo: USA Today
Have you ever seen a deal being handed out to cornerbacks this offseason? Below average 30-year-old slots cost over $10 million a year. The third contractor earns $18 million a year. The position has gone through a massive reset and haven’t even seen the extensions of Trent McDuffy, Source Gardner, and Derekstingley Jr.
All this means that Zyon McCollum’s new contract next year can easily surpass $20 million a year. However, if Bucs end up making a three-year extension for around $15 million a year in the previous fifth round, it could prove to be hugely valuable in 12 months. Especially if he took another step in 2025, like last year.
McCollum has earned under $3 million in his previous career, and a fully guaranteed $45 million extension of around $28 million can represent a deal that cannot be refused to win this offseason. Cost certainty for high upside players in high impact positions, while BUCS allows for both flexibility and cost certainty.
Adam Slivon: Bucs needs Luke Goedeke to become the next $100 million man
Bucs rt luke goedeke – Photo: Cliff Welch/Pr
A year after the Bucs made nine-figure deals with Pro Bowl quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and All-Pro Left Tackle Tristan Wirfs, they have one more of those massive deals. With Luke Goedeke emerging as a top-five right tackle over the past two seasons, Tampa Bay can’t afford to see him appear in the open market. Have you seen what offensive linemen are being paid recently? ! It makes the most sense to lock Goedeke first and as soon as possible.
Goedeke struggled with left guard and won a full career in his NFL career after putting Nick Leverett on the bench in his advantage as a rookie. He returns to his natural position with the right tackle and has been thriving ever since. He was a model of consistency in that position after winning the WIRFS location, which was rated as the 27th best offensive tackle in both 2023 and 2024. His growth coincided with the success of last year’s run game.
It’s easy to expand on him, considering the value Goedeke brings to the table and his relationship with both Mayfield and WIRF. Tight end Cade Otton and cornerback Zyon McCollum are also having a conversation to get the extension, but Luke The Lifter’s deal is the biggest and should be done before the price tag goes up. He soon becomes a $100 million man.
