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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have many big financial decisions to make in the near future.
While the contract standoff between the Bucs and quarterback Baker Mayfield, as well as defensive tackle Vita Vea's "hold-in" during mandatory minicamp, dominate the headlines, they are not the only core players who are set to be free agents after the upcoming season.
Both outside linebacker YaYa Diaby, who led the Bucs in sacks last year, and guard Cody Mauch, who is a vital part of Tampa's offensive line, are entering the final year of their rookie contracts. Diaby and Mauch have developed into key players for Tampa, and keeping them is likely to be a priority for the organization.
They are both set to earn big raises on their next contract.
Then there is defensive tackle Calijah Kancey. Kancey, another member of Tampa's 2023 draft class, had his fifth-year option exercised for 2027. However, a solid season this year will also put him in line for a huge extension after next season.
How many of these big-time players will the Bucs be able to re-sign? And who will they prioritize if it becomes apparent they won't be able to keep them all?
As mentioned by Ashlie Abrahams of Buccaneers Wire, Mayfield will be the "biggest domino" to fall. Tampa's QB is set to earn a significant raise from the three-year, $100 million deal he signed back in 2024. The expectation is that Mayfield's next contract will be for at least $50 million per year, possibly a few million more.
That is a lot money to spend on one player, regardless of position or his importance to the team.
Until the Mayfield extension is finalized, the Bucs don't know how much money will be left over to keep their other pending free agents.
While Mayfield figures to keep playing at a high level for at least a few more seasons, any potential new deal for Vea carries significantly more risk.
The 31-year-old is entering his ninth season in the NFL, all with the Bucs, and has a lot of wear and tear on his body after enduring years of constant double-teams. Vea is still a great player, and his $17 million salary for 2026 ranks only 19th among DTs, which has led to his "hold-in."
There is no denying that he is underpaid compared to other top players at his position, but how long can he continue to stave off Father Time?
A new contract for Vea has been predicted to fall between $24-28 million per year for three years. That would be committing a lot of money to a player as he reaches his mid-30s, and he could start declining at any time.
Re-signing Vea for that kind of money could cost Tampa its chance of keeping any of the younger players from the 2023 draft class.
The trio of Diaby, Mauch, and Kancey are all due for their own significant raises once their rookie contracts end.
Diaby has developed into one of Tampa's most dependable defenders. The 27-year-old finished with seven sacks in 2025, which was tops on the team, and is also a solid run defender.
While he hasn't reached the level of the NFL's top pass-rushers, who have no problem eclipsing the $40 million per year mark, it is a solid bet that Diaby could fetch somewhere in the neighborhood of $20-25 million per year with another solid season.
That is far cry from the four-year, $5.465 million (total) deal he received as a rookie.
The same goes for Mauch. Per Spotrac, there are 16 guards right now making over $15 million per year. Expect Mauch's next deal to be for at least that much.
As for Kancey, he can also earn a lot of money on his next contract with a good season in 2026. Once thought of as one of the best DTs in the NFL, Kancey has had to deal with multiple injuries over his career, including a torn pectoral muscle last season, which limited him to only three games. If the 25-year-old can stay healthy and play at the level he showed early in his career, the $24-28 million salary estimated for Vea can easily be the starting point on Kancey's next contract.
Obviously, the Bucs will do everything they can to keep Mayfield long-term. Once that happens, the team will turn its attention to Vea.
The money that Tampa commits to Vea and the length of the deal will go a long way in determining how many of the Diaby, Mauch, and Kancey trio can be kept.
Of those three, I expect Diaby to be the top priority. Pass rushers are a premium position in the NFL, and the Bucs could have a dominant duo in Diaby and rookie Rueben Bain Jr.
It may be unwise to risk losing either Mauch or Kancey to keep Vea for the next 3-4 years. However, Vea is still playing well and will likely get a new contract before the season starts.
We will have to wait and see what happens with the rest.
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Continue reading...
While the contract standoff between the Bucs and quarterback Baker Mayfield, as well as defensive tackle Vita Vea's "hold-in" during mandatory minicamp, dominate the headlines, they are not the only core players who are set to be free agents after the upcoming season.
Both outside linebacker YaYa Diaby, who led the Bucs in sacks last year, and guard Cody Mauch, who is a vital part of Tampa's offensive line, are entering the final year of their rookie contracts. Diaby and Mauch have developed into key players for Tampa, and keeping them is likely to be a priority for the organization.
They are both set to earn big raises on their next contract.
Then there is defensive tackle Calijah Kancey. Kancey, another member of Tampa's 2023 draft class, had his fifth-year option exercised for 2027. However, a solid season this year will also put him in line for a huge extension after next season.
How many of these big-time players will the Bucs be able to re-sign? And who will they prioritize if it becomes apparent they won't be able to keep them all?
Mayfield Will Be The "Biggest Domino"
As mentioned by Ashlie Abrahams of Buccaneers Wire, Mayfield will be the "biggest domino" to fall. Tampa's QB is set to earn a significant raise from the three-year, $100 million deal he signed back in 2024. The expectation is that Mayfield's next contract will be for at least $50 million per year, possibly a few million more.
That is a lot money to spend on one player, regardless of position or his importance to the team.
Until the Mayfield extension is finalized, the Bucs don't know how much money will be left over to keep their other pending free agents.
New Deal For Vea Carries Significant Risk
While Mayfield figures to keep playing at a high level for at least a few more seasons, any potential new deal for Vea carries significantly more risk.
The 31-year-old is entering his ninth season in the NFL, all with the Bucs, and has a lot of wear and tear on his body after enduring years of constant double-teams. Vea is still a great player, and his $17 million salary for 2026 ranks only 19th among DTs, which has led to his "hold-in."
There is no denying that he is underpaid compared to other top players at his position, but how long can he continue to stave off Father Time?
A new contract for Vea has been predicted to fall between $24-28 million per year for three years. That would be committing a lot of money to a player as he reaches his mid-30s, and he could start declining at any time.
Re-signing Vea for that kind of money could cost Tampa its chance of keeping any of the younger players from the 2023 draft class.
2023 Draft Class
The trio of Diaby, Mauch, and Kancey are all due for their own significant raises once their rookie contracts end.
Diaby has developed into one of Tampa's most dependable defenders. The 27-year-old finished with seven sacks in 2025, which was tops on the team, and is also a solid run defender.
While he hasn't reached the level of the NFL's top pass-rushers, who have no problem eclipsing the $40 million per year mark, it is a solid bet that Diaby could fetch somewhere in the neighborhood of $20-25 million per year with another solid season.
That is far cry from the four-year, $5.465 million (total) deal he received as a rookie.
The same goes for Mauch. Per Spotrac, there are 16 guards right now making over $15 million per year. Expect Mauch's next deal to be for at least that much.
As for Kancey, he can also earn a lot of money on his next contract with a good season in 2026. Once thought of as one of the best DTs in the NFL, Kancey has had to deal with multiple injuries over his career, including a torn pectoral muscle last season, which limited him to only three games. If the 25-year-old can stay healthy and play at the level he showed early in his career, the $24-28 million salary estimated for Vea can easily be the starting point on Kancey's next contract.
Final Thoughts
Obviously, the Bucs will do everything they can to keep Mayfield long-term. Once that happens, the team will turn its attention to Vea.
The money that Tampa commits to Vea and the length of the deal will go a long way in determining how many of the Diaby, Mauch, and Kancey trio can be kept.
Of those three, I expect Diaby to be the top priority. Pass rushers are a premium position in the NFL, and the Bucs could have a dominant duo in Diaby and rookie Rueben Bain Jr.
It may be unwise to risk losing either Mauch or Kancey to keep Vea for the next 3-4 years. However, Vea is still playing well and will likely get a new contract before the season starts.
We will have to wait and see what happens with the rest.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
Continue reading...
