Buccaneers trying to re-sign Chris Conte before free agency

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are trying to re-sign safety Chris Conte, who posted two interceptions, two forced fumbles and six passes defensed in thirteen starts last year.

The #Bucs are spending some time with the agent for S Chris Conte this week in an effort to get him re-signed before start of free agency

— Roy Cummings (@RCummingsTBO) March 2, 2016

As much as Bucs fans seem to hate Conte, this is a good move. Conte wasn't a difference maker, but he was a solid, reliable free safety who made few mistakes in coverage. The Bucs allowed the fewest 20+-yard passes in the NFL last year, and Conte was a major reason why.

Conte's a nice starter, but he'd also be a nice backup. The Bucs have two other solid but not difference-making safeties in Major Wright and Bradley McDougald, and a nice rotational playmaker in Keith Tandy. The team could certainly upgrade the safety position in free agency or the draft this offseason, but re-signing Conte means they don't need to do so, giving them a lot more flexibility. And if they enter the season with a four-man rotation of Conte, Wright, McDougald and Tandy, they should be just fine -- as long as they upgrade their pass rush, that is.