Buccaneers' Early Report Card for Most Impactful Offseason Decisions

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did the right thing to retain their most notable free agents.

The Bucs brought back Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans to an offense that looks to be the most stable unit in the NFC South.

They kept team legend Lavonte David at linebacker and also improved on the back end of the defense with the Jordan Whitehead signing.

The Whitehead-Antoine Winfield Jr. safety pairing could turn in the best duo in the NFL if they both play at their highest levels.

Tampa Bay should be commended for keeping its stars and improving its roster at the same time and that should make it the clear preseason favorite to win the NFC South.

Re-Signed Baker Mayfield

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 21: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers plays against the Detroit Lions during a NFC Divisional Playoff game at Ford Field on January 21, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Mayfield cashed in on his career season in 2023 with a three-year, $100 million deal.

Mayfield resurrected his career with a 4,000-yard season and he led the Bucs to the divisional round.

The contract was a no-brainer for both sides following last season's success.

Tampa Bay did not have to compete in the free-agent market for a new quarterback and Mayfield received longer term stability than he had in previous seasons.

The Bucs can now build on their 2023 success without introducing a ton of new faces.

That should help the franchise get out to a fast start, while Atlanta and Carolina may take a few games to gel with new head coaches in the NFC South.

Grade: A

Re-Signed Mike Evans

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CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 07: Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) during an NFL football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers on January 7, 2024 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Keeping Mike Evans was another no-brainer for the Bucs.

Evans has been a 1,000-yard receiver in each of his 10 seasons for the franchise.

The two-year deal worth up to $52 million allows Evans to extend his potential Hall of Fame career with the team that drafted him.

Evans and Chris Godwin form one of the best wide receiver pairings in the NFL, and if the depth around them takes a step forward in 2024, the Bucs could have one of the more dangerous passing attacks in the NFL.

The minimum expectation for Evans should be another 1,000-yard campaign and his fourth double-digit touchdown season in the last five years.

Grade: A

Jordan Whitehead

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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 17: Jordan Whitehead #3 of the New York Jets looks on from the field during a football game at AT&T Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The Bucs' top external free-agent signing should provide more pop to the secondary.

Jordan Whitehead was one of the most impactful defenders on the New York Jets roster last season.

He produced 97 tackles, nine passes defended and four interceptions in an awful year for the AFC East side.

The Bucs inked Whitehead to a two-year deal to bring him back to the franchise where he started his career.

The Bucs' safety duo could look even better in 2024 now that Whitehead is teamed up with a more experienced Winfield, who is one of the best safeties in the NFL.

Grade: B+