NFL teams often need to restructure contracts to align with their financial strategy. For players, this can sometimes mean agreeing to terms that might not feel ideal, though it’s not necessarily unfair—just a practical necessity. Adjusting contracts is one of the key maneuvers teams use to navigate salary cap constraints.
This offseason, Tampa Bay, like many teams, has been focused on managing its budget. The Buccaneers have already made several contract adjustments to create additional cap space. Last month, they modified lineman Tristan Wirfs’ deal, and now another player has undergone a similar change—safety Antoine Winfield Jr. The Bucs have restructured his four-year, $84.10 million contract, originally signed last year.
Here’s what that means: Winfield was set to earn $21 million in base salary for the 2025 season. Instead of paying him that full amount as regular salary, the Bucs converted a significant portion into a signing bonus. Since signing bonuses can be distributed across multiple years, this adjustment reduces his immediate cap hit.
The team also included a void year in his contract—a purely symbolic extra year that exists only on paper. The result? Tampa Bay frees up $15.86 million in additional cap space for 2025, giving them more financial flexibility to sign players, extend contracts, or make other roster moves.
Adjusting Contracts for Cap Space
While Winfield’s restructure focused on creating cap room, he wasn’t the only player to have his deal modified. The Bucs also made adjustments to Mike Evans’ contract.
Mike Evans’ Deal Gets a Makeover
The veteran receiver is in the final year of his two-year, $41 million contract. On Wednesday, Evans and the Bucs agreed to a restructure, converting part of his base salary into a bonus. This move shifts some of his compensation forward, meaning he gets paid sooner rather than later. However, reports indicate that this adjustment did not create any additional cap space since no money was removed or spread over future years.
At 31, Evans remains a key offensive weapon for Tampa Bay, having played 14 games last season and delivering 74 receptions on 110 targets for 1,004 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Strategic Moves or Financial Risks?
The Bucs have largely kept their offensive core intact, with Chris Godwin signing a three-year, $66 million extension and Baker Mayfield still at quarterback. However, the departure of offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who took the Jaguars’ head coach job, could shake things up. The team promoted pass-game coordinator Josh Grizzard to fill the vacancy.
Are these contract restructures setting the Bucs up for success in 2025, or are they merely delaying financial challenges? Will these moves boost their playoff chances this season?