DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 21: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 21, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to use their franchise tag ahead of the March 5 deadline, but it won’t be on quarterback Baker Mayfield.

The signal-caller had an impressive first season with the Bucs, leading them to a playoff win, and they are thought to want him back. However, they will use their tag on safety Antoine Winfield Jr., according to the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud.

 

Winfield had the best campaign of his four-year career in 2023, registering 122 total tackles, with 76 solo, as well as six sacks, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, three interceptions, and 12 passes defended.

While he wasn’t selected as a Pro Bowler, there’s hardly any denying how good Winfield was during the season, and the Bucs are well aware of it.

Should they tag him as reported, Mayfield will become a free agent who they will, of course, attempt to bring back.

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The QB will cost them a lot more following a campaign in which he helped them reach the divisional round. He also completed 64.3 percent of his passing attempts for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns, and four interceptions in 2023.

The Bucs will have enough cap room to sign mayfield to a lucrative deal, but there could be other teams waiting to lure him over after what he accomplished last season.