Leonard Fournette
FILE - Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) blocks during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Inglewood, Calif., in this Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, file photo. The Broncos declined Bolles’ fifth-year option in 2020 but by November had given him a $68 million, four-year extension. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit, FIle)
Fifth-year options are a good measure of NFL draft classes

By Arnie Stapleton May. 14, 2021 05:18 PM EDT

A Mr. Irrelevant jersey is held up during the seventh round of the NFL football draft, Saturday, May 1, 2021, in Cleveland. The final pick of the draft was Grant Stuard, a linebacker from Houston, chosen by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Super Bowl champions address wants, not needs in NFL draft

By Fred Goodall May. 01, 2021 08:44 PM EDT

An image of Washington defensive lineman Joe Tryon is displayed on stage after he was chosen by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the final pick in the first round of the NFL football draft, early Friday, April 30, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Buccaneers select LB Joe Tryon with last pick of first round

By Fred Goodall Apr. 30, 2021 12:19 AM EDT

FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown (81) smiles while entering the tunnel at halftime during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Tampa, Fla., in this Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, file photo. Receiver Antonio Brown has agreed to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a one-year contract that could be worth up to $6.5 million, including incentives, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity Wednesday, April 28, 2021, because the agreement, which includes a $2 million signing bonus and a little more than $3 million guaranteed, had not been announced by the reigning Super Bowl champions. (AP Photo/Kevin Sabitus, File)
AP Source: WR Antonio Brown returning to Bucs on 1-year deal

By Fred Goodall Apr. 28, 2021 12:32 PM EDT

FILE - Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence runs for a touchdown against Ohio State during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal in Glendale, Ariz., Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. Lawrence is widely considered the best quarterback prospect to come out of college since Andrew Luck nearly a decade ago. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Jaguars' draft prospects, including Lawrence, lured Meyer

By Mark Long Apr. 23, 2021 02:38 PM EDT

Super Bowl champ Bucs aim to bolster depth in NFL draft

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2021 01:21 PM EDT
32. TAMPA BAY BUCCANNERS (15-5) LAST SEASON: Talk about peaking at the right time. Everything fell into place down the stretch for Tom...

AP source: RB Bernard agrees to 1-year deal with Buccaneers

By Fred Goodall Apr. 13, 2021 05:50 PM EDT
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Running back Giovani Bernard has agreed to a one-year contract with the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a person familiar with the...

FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht, left, address the audience with linebackers Lavonte David, center, and Devin White during a celebration of their Super Bowl 55 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Tampa, Fla., in this Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, file photo. When Jason Licht declared he was going to do everything he could to keep the Tampa Bay Buccaneers together, no one envisioned the process going as smoothly as it has for the Super Bowl champions. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Bucs GM says winning culture helped keep SB roster together

By Fred Goodall Apr. 02, 2021 06:13 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2021, file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette sprints to the end zone to score on a 27-yard touchdown run during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL football Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers moved closer to a goal of retaining all 22 starters from their Super Bowl victory, agreeing to a one-year, $3.25 million contract to bring free agent running back Fournette back for next season. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
AP source: Fournette agrees to 1-year deal to stay with Bucs

By Fred Goodall Mar. 26, 2021 06:04 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2020, file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Ndamukong Suh (93) and inside linebacker Lavonte David (54) line up against the Green Bay Packers during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla. Suh has agreed to a one-year contract worth $9 million to remain with the Super Bowl champion Buccaneers, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio, File)
AP source: Suh to remain with Bucs on 1-year, $9M deal

By Fred Goodall Mar. 24, 2021 06:28 PM EDT

Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (25) carries the ball in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett (58) during the NFL Super Bowl LV football game on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Florida. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL)
Shaq Barrett, Buccaneers finalize 4-year, $72 million deal

By Fred Goodall Mar. 17, 2021 05:46 PM EDT

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians holds the Vince Lombardi trophy following the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. Tampa Bay won 31-9. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Free-agent pickups have made a difference for some champions

By Rob Maaddi Mar. 16, 2021 12:56 PM EDT

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) looks to throw a pass while in the grasp of Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett, right, during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Barrett, Gronkowski agree to deals to stay with Buccaneers

By Fred Goodall Mar. 15, 2021 02:28 PM EDT

FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady leaves the field an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, in this Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, file photo. om Brady has agreed to a contract extension with the Buccaneers that provides the Super Bowl champions with much-needed salary cap relief and will help the seven-time NFL champion reach a goal of playing until he’s at least 45. Brady posted a picture of himself on Twitter, signing the extension Friday, March 12, 2021, with the message: “In pursuit of 8 ... LFG@ Buccaneers we’re keeping the band together.” (AP Photo/Brett Duke, File)
Nobody comes for free in NFL free agency that begins Monday

By Barry Wilner Mar. 13, 2021 01:20 PM EST

Super Bowl champion Bucs focused on keeping roster intact

By The Associated Press Mar. 12, 2021 05:01 PM EST
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (15-5) UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: LB Shaquil Barrett, TE Rob Gronkowski, WR Antonio Brown, RB Leonard Fournette, DT...

FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady leaves the field an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, in this Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, file photo. om Brady has agreed to a contract extension with the Buccaneers that provides the Super Bowl champions with much-needed salary cap relief and will help the seven-time NFL champion reach a goal of playing until he’s at least 45. Brady posted a picture of himself on Twitter, signing the extension Friday, March 12, 2021, with the message: “In pursuit of 8 ... LFG@ Buccaneers we’re keeping the band together.” (AP Photo/Brett Duke, File)
Brady signs extension, frees salary cap space for Buccaneers

By Fred Goodall Mar. 12, 2021 02:39 PM EST

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, file photo, Washington Football Team offensive guard Brandon Scherff stands on the sideline prior to an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Football Team, in Landover, Md. On Monday, March 8, 2021, Washington announced they've placed the franchise tag on guard Brandon Scherff for a second consecutive year. Scherff is coming off his first All-Pro season. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)
Receivers Godwin, Robinson top franchise tag list

By Barry Wilner Mar. 09, 2021 04:46 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receivers Mike Evans, left, and Chris Godwin take part in a celebration of the team's Super Bowl 55 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, following a boat parade Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Super Bowl champ Bucs place franchise tag on WR Chris Godwin

By Fred Goodall Mar. 09, 2021 04:43 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady holds his daughter Vivian Lake while waving to fans during a celebration of their Super Bowl 55 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs with a boat parade, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Licht: Buccaneers open to giving Brady a contract extension

By Fred Goodall Feb. 24, 2021 05:22 PM EST

FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020 file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) makes a diving catch in front of Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Rashad Fenton (27) during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla. Applying franchise and even transition tags to players can have major ramifications on a team's present and future. That was never more of a consideration than this year, with the salary cap decreasing by, for now, $18 million. That's the first time the cap has gone down, which is due to lost revenues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.(AP Photo/Jason Behnken, File)
Playing tag is no kids' game for NFL teams

By Barry Wilner Feb. 23, 2021 05:12 PM EST