NFL Analysts Not High On Key Bucs’ Moves In Free Agency

“It’s a change. Anytime you lose the greatest of all time, that’s a big presence that leaves your team,” Bowles said. “That does not mean the cupboard is bare when you lose someone like that. You have to win in different ways, and we have good players on our football team that understand that…how we win going forward.”

Two of the biggest moves made by the Bucs that signify their approach for the upcoming season include adding quarterback Baker Mayfield and re-signing inside linebacker Lavonte David.

The team got plenty of value through both transactions, only guaranteeing Mayfield $4 million, the lowest of the veteran quarterbacks signing new contracts in the NFC South.

While one former Buc is debatably a Ring of Honor candidate, the re-signing of a future inductee in Lavonte David was just as, if not more, significant. David will continue to captain the middle of the defense for another season for only $7 million, a bargain for the contributions he still brings on and off the field.

So, shouldn’t plenty of credit be given to the Bucs’ front office for how they have managed to make moves to keep the ship afloat and the cannons firing next season? Well, according to ESPN’s NFL free agency grades for 2023 so far (ESPN+ subscription required), these moves are viewed differently on a national scale.

ESPN Grades Lavonte David Re-Signing With Bucs

Graded and analyzed by ESPN analytics writer Seth Walder and NFL draft analyst Matt Miller, both moves were given just a C+.

Their comments on both moves speak to just how quickly the Bucs are being counted out next season. Walder began by commenting on Lavonte David’s re-signing.

“I’ve always liked David, a permanently underrated linebacker who excels in coverage. Like with other Buccaneers moves, this grade is less a reflection of the player and more about the Bucs’ situation. Signing David to a one-year contract in line with the linebacker market this offseason certainly makes sense for a team trying to win the Super Bowl. But I don’t see how that correlates to the Bucs, who have Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask at quarterback.

“For Tampa Bay, this contract takes away $7 million it could spend next year or the year after, when it could be a contender again. Plus the late-round compensatory pick the Bucs would likely receive if David signed somewhere else is gone. I continue to believe the right move for Tampa Bay is to rebuild.”

This is an interesting take on David returning to the team for a few reasons. To begin with, David is an integral part of the team. He is the team’s defensive captain, locker room leader, a veteran presence, and still one of the most productive players at his position, as his 85.1 PFF grade was third among the 81 linebackers ranked. On paper, his 124 tackles last season were his highest since 2015.

Would the Bucs trade all of that for just a compensatory pick? If he departed on a similar deal, how would that affect player and fan morale? Bringing him back does not make the team a Super Bowl contender, but it keeps someone that knows what it takes to win around.

Dedicating just $7 million for a player of David’s pedigree is an investment on and off the field. Especially in terms of team chemistry and culture. Remember, it was David and Devin White who held a dinner for the defense during the season to get on the same page.

Baker Mayfield Signing With Bucs Labeled An “Interesting Move”

In terms of the Bucs signing Baker Mayfield, Miller’s analysis of the deal is head-scratching: “Let’s start by acknowledging that the Bucs didn’t really have any great options. Having no quarterback and no money isn’t a great place to be and the consequence of going all-in with Tom Brady. It’s fine, it was worth it. But here they are signing Mayfield, one of the least valuable players in the NFL last season.”

That part of it is all fine, as Mayfield mostly struggled with both the Panthers and Rams in 2022. But he continued by stating which quarterbacks would have offered the team more “upside.”

“I would have rather taken a shot on Gardner Minshew or Jacoby Brissett, who I think have at least some upside.”

Now hold on. Is Miller actually stating Mayfield has no upside? Say what you will about him, but that is laughable. It can be argued he has the most upside of the three, as that was one of five things he will bring to the Bucs, as stated by Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds.

The last part of Miller’s analysis is the most controversial and may ruffle the feathers on Bucco Bruce’s cap: “To me, the best way for the Bucs to become a contender again is to tear it down and rebuild, saving as much money as possible and grabbing all the draft capital they can. That means trading players like Mike Evans, Shaquil Barrett, Devin White, and maybe even Vita Vea.

“If Tampa Bay plays out 2023 with Mayfield at QB, it is just burning money it could use in the future … and all for a couple of inconsequential wins in a noncontending season.”

Similar to David, Evans is not going anywhere. He is valued just as highly by the organization, more than any draft pick offered. The team will not enter a full-scale teardown either, as it still has a shot in an NFC South filled with question marks. Each team will be near the same talent level at quarterback, and the Bucs’ core that brought Brady to Tampa Bay still remains mostly intact.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles Sees Moves Differently

For all of the rebuilding talk, Bowles does not want to hear it. He commented on both moves much more favorably to reporters Tuesday.

“Well, number one, he can play,” Bowles said on why re-signing David means so much. “We’re not going to have a guy that can’t play. I think everybody points toward his leadership for us, I think it’s [his] play first of all. He’s a very good football player still, and that’s why we brought him back, number one.

“His leadership and Devin’s leadership are critical for us going forward defensively, along with [Antoine] Winfield and Vita [Vea]. Those guys bring a lot to the table, and they teach you how to be professional, and you don’t want to let guys like that down. So, it’s important for us to have him back.”

Commenting on Mayfield, Bowles added that his addition gives the team “some competitive juice.”

“Baker’s won in college, he’s been to the playoffs as a pro, and he brings us a lot of leadership,” Bowles said. “I think this style of offense is going to fit him very well, and I think it will be a good battle between him and Trask to see who can win it.”