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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cleared another hurdle today in their efforts to clear up some cap space to bring back more of their own free agents.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, quarterback Tom Brady has agree to a restructure with the Bucs which will keep him in pewter through 2022.
Tom Brady reached agreement with the Buccaneers today on a four-year contract extension that voids to a one-year extension that locks him into Tampa through the 2022 season, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2021
The Tom-Brady extension saves the Buccaneers $19 million against the cap this year, per sources. The additional voidable years are there to defray the cost. It was another effort from Brady to keep as much of the team together as possible. https://t.co/65qAGO5Px7
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2021
According to the NFLPA’s figures as of Friday morning, Tampa Bay was over the salary cap by more than $6 million. Saving the Bucs $19 million puts them at around $13 million under the cap.
Tampa Bay was able to place the franchise tag on wide receiver Chris Godwin as well as extend linebacker Lavonte David earlier this week. The wild card has been edge rusher Shaquil Barrett who is set to earn a big contract.
Although Barrett and the Bucs have reportedly begun discussions on a new deal, it’s not clear where either side stands. However, the Buccaneers and general manager Jason Licht are surely trying to do what they can to make sure Barrett doesn’t even get the chance to open up talks with other teams once the legal tampering period begins Monday.
Licht released a statement Friday after the team made the news of Brady’s restructure official.
“When we acquired Tom a year ago, we were extremely excited about the leadership, poise and winning track record that he would bring to our locker room. Since that time, he has proven himself to be the ultimate competitor and delivered in every way we had imagined, helping us capture the Lombardi Trophy,” said Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht. “Year after year, Tom proves that he remains one of the elite quarterbacks in this game and we couldn’t be happier to keep him in Tampa Bay as we continue to pursue our goals together.”