Breaking: Buccaneers Emerge Favorites to Sign $242.6 Million Super Bowl Champion QB
The Tampa Bay Bucs are regarded as one of the front-runners to sign a quarterback who wins the Super Bowl.
Soon after it was announced that Russell Wilson will be released by the Denver Broncos on March 13th, and the free agency period got underway, Draft Kings Sportsbook made available their odds for Wilson’s future move. The nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback is projected to sign with the Bucs with +2000 odds, which ties them for sixth-best chances among all teams (Draft Kings, too).
At -200, the Pittsburgh Steelers are the favorite, followed by the Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, and Minnesota Vikings.
Why Buccaneers Could Target Russell Wilson
Wilson would become one of the Buccaneers’ backup choices if they decide not to re-sign Baker Mayfield, so the odds make sense. Although they still haven’t come to an agreement on a new contract, Mayfield and the Buccaneers would like to run it back for another season. Both parties are putting a lot of effort into reaching an agreement, according to a report by Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
Russini stated on Wednesday, March 6, “When I last checked in with sources, Mayfield and the Bucs were working hard to strike a deal, especially after they locked up WR Mike Evans.”
According to a report, they’re “not close” to signing a new contract, despite the fact that both parties want to get something done to bring back Mayfield after he helped them to an unexpected division title and postseason berth.
According to Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds:
Reynolds claims that “the parties are still not close to agreeing on terms on a contract extension.” The Bucs and Mayfield’s camp were quite far away to start, but there has been some progress since serious negotiations started at the NFL Scouting Combine last week, according to many sources that Pewter Report has recently spoken with. To what extent? About $20 million in different amounts.
As Reynolds notes, the Buccaneers were offering a deal more in the $25 million per year range, while the Mayfield camp began with $44 million a year as a starting point.
Why It’s Financially Beneficial to Sign Russell Wilson
If the Bucs miss out on Mayfield, there are several quarterbacks available in free agency, but Wilson is one of the most interesting. Veteran quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins and Ryan Tannehill will also be available; however, if Cousins chooses not to re-sign with the Minnesota Vikings, he has been connected to the Atlanta Falcons on multiple occasions. Tannehill was benched in favor of rookie quarterback Will Levis, and as a result, had his lowest passer rating since his rookie season, 78.5.
Wilson, meanwhile, is coming off a statistically successful season in which he scored 29 touchdowns (three on the ground and 26 passing), had a 98.0 passer rating, a 66.4% completion percentage, and a 5.8% touchdown rate. Not to mention that he oversaw four comebacks in the fourth quarter and drives that won games. He was the NFL leader in comebacks and tied for second in the league in game-winning drives.
In the NFL, Wilson’s passer rating came in at number eight and his touchdown rate came in third. In contrast, Wilson’s statistics are quite comparable to Mayfield’s, as the quarterback for the Buccaneers recorded a 94.6 passer rating and a 4.9% touchdown percentage in the previous campaign.
The fact that Wilson is prepared to sign for the veteran’s minimum since the Broncos will owe him $39 million for the 2024 season is another significant factor. Wilson is expected to earn a $1.2 million contract with another team, as the veteran’s minimum. That immediately gives Wilson a leg up on his rival free agent quarterbacks.
It goes without saying that the Bucs will try to re-sign Mayfield. However, if negotiations go down, it wouldn’t surprise me if Tampa Bay pursues Wilson.
