In a surprising move, the Bucs are able to bring back one of their top free agents
In a move that pretty much no one saw coming, the Tampa Bay Bucs found a way to bring back one of their top unrestricted free agents. Per Ian Rapoport, cornerback Jamel Dean will be back in red and pewter;
Sources: The #Bucs are re-signing Jamel Dean.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2023
Ranked as NFL Network’s tenth best free agent, Dean was widely expected to leave for the big money deal in free agency. Instead, the Bucs gave him the big money deal to stay put;
Bucs are signing CB Jamel Dean to a four year, $52 million contract.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) March 13, 2023
This solidifies one big need the Bucs were expected to have heading into the draft as they have their starting corner opposite Carlton Davis for the foreseeable future. However, that doesn’t mean the Bucs won’t be targeting a corner in the draft as Sean Murphy-Bunting is likely the odd man out. Multiple teams are interested in Murphy-Bunting and he will be able to get a deal as a starter elsewhere.
Dean has continued to improve each year to the point that he was one of the top free agents on the market. Bringing him back for the next four seasons is a giant step in solidifying the secondary for the upcoming season.
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