Buccaneers & Winfield Jr. Agree on Huge Extension

One of the league's premier safeties, Antoine Winfield Jr., signed a well-deserved four-year, $84 million extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past week. Winfield, coming off an All-Pro First Team selection, is arguably the best safety in the NFL. His dynamic ability as both a tackler and in coverage makes him a player Tampa Bay is thrilled to keep long-term.

The Numbers:

This past season, Winfield was a one-man wrecking ball, creating turnovers at an elite rate. He forced six fumbles, recovered four, and hauled in three interceptions. Winfield's nose for the football places him in the elite tier of NFL safeties. Along with his tremendous coverage skills, his tackling ability sets him apart from the rest. To complement his interceptions and forced/recovered fumbles, Winfield also registered 122 tackles on the year. The young safety continues to demonstrate a unique ability to play both deep and in the box when needed.

What to Expect:

I anticipate Winfield will continue his progression as a player, as he has consistently shown since entering the NFL. With his father being a longtime NFL veteran, Jr. is unlikely to take his foot off the gas anytime soon. With Tampa committing big money, expectations are high, as they should be. However, Winfield Jr. is more than ready to handle the load. With his game continuing to grow alongside his ability to lead as a teammate, I truly believe the sky's the limit for Tampa’s defensive cornerstone.