“Underrated as hell” – Antoine Winfield Jr. becomes the highest-paid DB in NFL history after signing a massive $84.1 million deal with the Bucs, fans react

Winfield Jr. will enter his fifth year with the Buccaneers, aiming for his second Super Bowl ring.

“Underrated as hell” – Antoine Winfield Jr. becomes the highest-paid DB in NFL history after signing a massive $84.1 million deal with the Bucs, fans react

Antoine Winfield Jr. signed a four year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Image via IMAGO)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night made Antoine Winfield Jr. the highest-paid safety in the NFL. Ian Rapoport announced that the Bucs had agreed to a four-year, $84 million contract with the 25-year-old.

Since being drafted in the 2020 season, Winfield has consistently performed in the backfield for the Bucs. In 2023, he was part of the 7th best-rushing defense in the league, according to NFL.com. He contributed 6 of the 8 forced fumbles for Todd Bowles’ side.

In his 59 starts of the Florida-based franchise, Antoine Winfield Jr. recorded 384 tackles, 27 pass deflections, 7 interceptions, 11 forced fumbles, and 8 fumbled recoveries.

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Winfield takes over as the highest-paid safety in the NFL ahead of the Los Angeles Chargers Derwin James and Pittsburgh Steeler Minkah Fitzpatrick per Over The Cap. He also tops the best-paid defensive back position ahead of Green Bay Packers’ Jaire Alexander and Cleveland Browns Denzel Ward.

Football fans congratulated Antoine Winfield Jr. for bagging a massive contract

Despite leading the team to another playoff berth, Winfield missed out on his second career Pro Bowl in 2023. After the league announced the complete list, he claimed these were things out of his hands.

I can only control what I do on the field and after that you know everybody can have their opinions.
Antoine Winfield Jr. said
"Underrated as hell" - Antoine Winfield Jr. becomes the highest-paid DB in NFL history after signing a massive $84.1 million deal with the Bucs, fans react
Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (#31) runs down the field after an interception in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa (Image via IMAGO)

The Buccaneers then defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild card and reached the divisional playoff game for the first time since 2021. However, they lost out against the Detroit Lions.

Winfield then saw his name being part of the All-Pro list for the first time and now he will earn $45 million guaranteed from the new contract. Check out how football fans reacted to this news on X:

The Gophers’ graduate is the son of former Minnesota cornerback Antoine Winfield Sr. He currently leads all the defensive backs in sacks (15), quarterback hits (21), forced fumbles (11), and fumble recoveries (8) since he became an NFL player.

The Buccaneers managed to keep the core of last year’s team intact, extending Antoine’s stay in Tamp Bay. Previously they gave quarterback Baker Mayfield, veteran All-Pro receiver Mike Evans, safety Jordan Whitehead, and linebacker Lavonte David new contracts.

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