Tagging Jameis Winston (and others)

For those who pay any consideration to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – I imply like, even the smallest quantity – then you already know all concerning the upcoming choice that pertains to beginning quarterback Jameis Winston.

For those who don’t, simply google his title and it’ll take about 5 minutes so that you can get the total context of the state of affairs. Or, go right here. It’s all you should be totally addressed on the state of affairs. I’ll see ya shortly.

OK, now that you just’re on top of things, it’s simple to see why the Bucs are at a crossroads on the subject of deciding Winston’s future.

Essentially, Winston has achieved extra good issues than he has achieved dangerous throughout his time in Tampa Bay. However, the NFL is all about outcomes and the Bucs have been a rollercoaster of outcomes over the previous 5 years, with the commonest end result being shedding seasons.

So, the Bucs have three choices with Winston: signal him long-term, let him stroll, or “tag” him in some trend.

The primary two are apparent when it comes to context and the long-term possibility gained’t matter till the contract particulars come out, however the “tag” possibility takes a little bit of navigation in an effort to totally perceive what the Bucs may do in that regard.

The “Non-Unique” franchise tag

What’s it and the way does it apply to Winston and the Bucs?

That is by far and away the best choice for the franchise making this choice and it’s the commonest tag used. It doesn’t pin the participant down negotiation-wise and the membership will obtain critical compensation if stated participant decides to stroll. It’s sort of a win-win for each events, in a way.

Let’s say the Bucs resolve to make use of this tag on Winston. Whereas he’s nonetheless allowed to barter with different groups, the Bucs have the appropriate to match any provide he could obtain, or they may obtain two first-round picks as compensation if they will’t match stated provide.

So, let’s say the Colts provide Winston a two-year/$70 million deal (fully hypothetical). The Bucs would be capable of match that provide and retain Winston. In the event that they resolve that’s too costly and let him signal with the Colts, they might clearly lose Winston, however they might obtain two first-round picks as compensation.

Two first-round picks are extraordinarily priceless and will surely assist ease the ache of Winston’s loss.

Any alternative on this matter is philosophically subjective, however this choice is as near objectivity as you may get. It might make little sense for the Bucs to forego this route.

The value: This tag – and the “unique” tag – is a one-year provide for an quantity a minimum of the common of the highest 5 salaries on the participant’s place over the past 5 years, or 120 % of his earlier wage, whichever is larger. Proper now, overthecap.com has each the “non-exclusive” and “unique” tags at $26,895,000 in 2020.**

The “Unique” franchise tag

What’s it and the way does it apply to Winston and the Bucs?

This tag is far more restrictive than the earlier tag and permits the franchise to regulate each facet of Winston’s rights. Outdoors of a holdout, after all.

If the Bucs resolve to make use of this tag on Winston, then he wouldn’t be allowed to barter with different groups. He would basically be compelled to signal with Tampa Bay for an additional yr, very similar to Le’Veon Bell with the Jets and Kirk Cousins with the Redskins. This route can damage the connection between a participant and a franchise, which is what we noticed with these two gamers.

A variety of this choice will depend on how the membership views their participant’s market. If the Bucs actually need Winston round in 2020 and likewise consider that he’ll obtain a number of, high-priced provides wherein they will’t match, then they might slap him with this tag and stop that from occurring.

This transfer extra protects the franchise, however is smart when you think about the fluidity/turnover of a NFL roster. If the Bucs go this route, then Winston is 100% again in 2020.

The value: The identical because the “non-exclusive” tag. It’s a one-year provide for an quantity a minimum of the common of the highest 5 salaries on the participant’s place over the past 5 years, or 120 % of his earlier wage, whichever is larger.**

The “Transition” tag

What’s it and the way does it apply to Winston and the Bucs?

That is the most cost effective possibility of the three, however just like the saying goes: You get what you pay for.

Tampa Bay may use this tag on Winston, which might permit them to match any provide he receives, however the Bucs wouldn’t obtain any compensation if one other workforce had been to outbid them. The one profit with this transfer is that if the Bucs do actually maintain Winston with out having to match any provide(s), then it will save them about $3.5 million in 2019.

That quantity – or lack – of financial savings is just not well worth the danger the Bucs could be taking right here. That could be a small reward and would solely characterize luck, not talent, if the Bucs had been to tug it off.

It might make little to zero sense for the Bucs to make use of this on Winston. Positive, he’s had his dangerous moments for the Bucs, however they’d be loopy to let him stroll with out receiving any compensation. Not solely would that be a nasty transfer on their half, however it may additionally hamper the workforce when it comes to growth over the approaching years. That’s not very very best for a workers that wishes to “win now”.

Plus, it additionally looks like this kind of transfer would learn as a, “Effectively, we tried, BUT…” transfer on the Bucs’ half. It might be extremely questionable and really counter-intuitive if the franchise decides to go this route.

So, utilizing the Colts once more, in the event that they had been to come back in and provide Winston the aforementioned deal and the Bucs resolve to not match the provide, then Winston may grow to be a Colt and the Bucs could be left with nothing.

The value: A one-year provide for an quantity that’s the common of the highest 10 salaries on the place — versus prime 5 for the franchise tag. Overthecap.com at the moment has this tag at $24,373,000 in 2020.**

**Projected tenders are primarily based on future wage cap estimations and are topic to vary when a future wage cap is made official, per overthecap.com**

A REAL QUICK NOTE:

This identical situation goes for Shaq Barrett or another candidate that the Bucs resolve to use the tag(s) to. Often, you possibly can solely use one of many three tags on one participant, however 2020 shall be completely different below the CBA that was constructed again in 2011. Groups will be capable of use one of many franchise tags AND the transition tag. Due to this fact, the Bucs may franchise one participant and transition the opposite.