The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the best front office groups in the NFL, led by general manager Jason Licht. They are so well-staffed that two of their team members are being interviewed for open general manager jobs around the NFL.
One question surrounding this group, though, is a simple one: how much cap space will the Bucs have going into the offseason?
Overthecap projects the Bucs’ spending amount at just $11 million this offseason. Of course, they could make other moves and restructure to raise more money. Ironically, re-signing one of their key free agents and starters could save them some of that money.
Chris Godwin is set to be a free agent coming off a season-ending ankle injury in Week 8. Pewter Report discussed the point that his returning actually would save them from a large dead cap number.
“If Tampa Bay does not re-sign Godwin, he will cost them $18.852 million in salary cap due to prorations the team used over the course of his current deal. If the Bucs were to extend Godwin prior to that dead cap charge hitting, $11.318 million of that charge moves ahead into future years.”
It is another example of kicking the can down the road, but it is something they will potentially have to do. As long as it is for the right price, the Bucs have the opportunity to retain Godwin while also gaining some extra cap space before making any other moves.