Josh Allen surpassed Brian Burns on Wednesday as the highest-paid outside linebacker in the league, agreeing to a five-year, $150 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The contract extension comes just over a month after Allen was franchise-tagged with a value of $24 million for one season.
Under the tag, Winfield is set to earn $17 million, which would make him the third highest-paid safety for the 2024 season, behind Los Angeles Chargers’ Derwin James and Pittsburgh Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick. According to Adam Schefter, both parties are negotiating a deal that would make Winfield the highest-paid safety in the league, exceeding the $19 million that James earns annually.
In 2023, Winfield recorded a career-high 122 combined tackles, 12 passes deflected, eight quarterback hits, six tackles for loss, six sacks, four fumble recoveries, and three interceptions. Winfield’s stats demonstrate that the safety’s presence is felt all over the field. For a standout season, the former second-rounder earned All-Pro honors for the first time in his career.
Schefter reports that the Buccaneers are optimistic about reaching an agreement with Winfield, but with Allen’s deal finalized and Higgins requesting a trade, the safety is on an island as perhaps the only returning franchise-tagged player in the league.
As time passes, frustration tends to grow for players. While a $17 million paycheck is certainly nothing to complain about, it’s the lack of a long-term deal that concerns top-tier athletes. If Winfield enters the 2024 season without a long-term deal, he runs the risk of injuries or other factors lowering his stock. On the other hand, Tampa Bay runs the risk of potentially losing a young defensive star.
