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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made the biggest splashes they possibly could before the start of free agency today at 4:00 p.m. ET. Franchise tagging Chris Godwin, signing Shaquil Barrett to a four-year deal, bringing back Rob Gronkowski on a one-year deal, and retaining the services of long time captain and face of the defense Lavonte David on a two-year deal.
Now, the eyes turn to Ndamukong Suh, Leonard Fournette, Antonio Brown, Ryan Succop, and possibly James White as the Bucs continue to earn a gold medal in cap gymnastics in pursuit of a second straight Super Bowl victory.
The Bucs are actively having conversations with Ndamukong Suh and representatives for Leonard Fournette, Ryan Succop and Antonio Brown, per sources. They aren’t finished.
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) March 16, 2021
There are several teams inquiring about Patriots' free-agent RB James White, including...the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2021
We were told on Tuesday that the Bucs were in talks - or at least interested - in all the players above. Now, they may still work on extensions of players to open up more cap space for this season or there may be some players they’re interested in that we don’t know about quite yet. We will keep a thread of relevant tweets below - for not just the Buccaneers, but pertinent news from across the league and within the NFC South.
**NOTE: Newest tweets will appear first in the thread so for those of you that continue to check back, you can see the latest information quickly.**
Bucs announce they've re-signed guard Aaron Stinnie, who stepped in and made his first three NFL starts as an injury replacement in the playoffs this past year. Was to be a restricted free agent.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 17, 2021
Coming up on 90 minutes to start of a new league year -- at 4 p.m., unrestricted free agents can sign with new teams. If Bucs haven't tendered guard Aaron Stinnie (a restricted free agent) he also becomes an unrestricted free agent.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 17, 2021
The Patriots might not be done adding to their defensive line.
— Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) March 17, 2021
According to a source, the Patriots have shown interest in veteran free agent DT Rakeem Nuñez-Roches. He started 11-of-16 games for Tampa Bay last season. https://t.co/Y5OkVZ9UrW
I've been told Falcons edge rusher Dante Fowler, who is scheduled to earn a $13 million base salary in 2021, has accepted a pay reduction, which will reduce his scheduled cap figure of $18.541 million. Specifics are not yet official. @TheAthletic
— Jeff Schultz (@JeffSchultzATL) March 17, 2021
Rich get richer: Bucs are paying Shaq Barrett a settlement from last year's franchise-tag grievance in the amount of $1.372 million - in addition to his new contract this week, per source. Good week for Barrett and his bank account.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2021
Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette is weighing an offer to remain in Tampa (Brady is recruiting him back), but the Seahawks have made a strong bid to poach him. Stylistically, Seattle would be an interesting fit.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 16, 2021
The Patriots are also lurking as another option for Leonard Fournette. Which is interesting ... given who they’d be taking him from. https://t.co/RB3oJutZi3
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 16, 2021
Continue to check back throughout the day as the thread will be updated as more news becomes available. Also, be sure to discuss moves and give your thoughts in the comment section below.