How much is Antoine Winfield Jr’s record contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers worth?
As they prepare for the coming season the Bucs are sparing no expense when it comes to reinforcing their defensive line. The question is, will it pay off?
Having now secured the services of their star safety for the long term, the Bucs can now focus on other areas that are still in need of development. As for the man at the middle of it all, it goes without saying that both he and the franchise will want to see him building on the sensational campaign that he just enjoyed.
Bucs make Antoine Winfield Jr. the highest-paid DB in the NFL
According to reports, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed safety Antoine Winfield Jr. to a four-year, $84.1 million contract. To that end, Winfield’s annual salary of $21.025 million makes him the NFL’s highest-paid defensive back, a position that was previously held by Jaire Alexander of the Green Bay Packers whose $21 million per year contract was signed back in 2022. On the point of context, it’s worth noting that Winfield is a safety while all other players who make the list of highest-paid defensive backs are cornerbacks including Jalen Ramsey, Marlon Humphrey, Marshon Lattimore, and Trevon Diggs.
It’s also worth noting that Winfield’s contract includes a guaranteed $45 million, which is also the most money an NFL safety has ever received. The news of course comes following indications from Bucs general manager Jason Licht who said last week that the team was close to an agreement with Winfield after placing a franchise player tag on him back in March. As a result of the tag, Winfield was guaranteed a one-year, $17.123 million salary for 2024, but as we now know, a long-term extension was always the end goal.
“It takes two sides and they’re being totally fair, we think we’re being fair,” Licht said on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “He wants to be here, we want him, those things usually work themselves out and I’m fairly positive about where things are going with that. ... He’s the best safety in the league; he should be paid like it.” The soon-to-be 26-year-old is about to embark on his fifth season in the NFL after he was selected by the Bucs in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft at No. 45 overall. In this most recent season, Winfield registered his best stat line so far with 122 tackles, including six tackles for loss and eight quarterback hits. He also notched six forced fumbles, six sacks, and three interceptions, both career-high figures, and earned first-team NFL All-Pro honors.