The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wrapped up their defensive needs during the draft, including a trade for cornerback Darrelle Revis. Now, they can make offense their focus once again. Josh Freeman has had a large amount of struggles as the team's quarterback and they are determined to surround him with more weapons in hopes of producing points. Part of that is working on an extension with receiver Mike Williams to make sure he stays around for longer.
Williams and Tampa Bay were beginning contract negotiations but they were put on hold due to the NFL Draft. With the draft over, the two sides are resuming talks in hopes of getting a deal done in the coming weeks. Williams is entering the final year of his four-year, $2.2 million rookie deal he signed in 2020. Williams was the team's fourth round draft that year.
Tampa Bay cannot afford contract drama with Williams. He has consistently been one of the team's best offensive producers. In his first three seasons, he average 65 catches each year. Last season he posted a career-high 996 yards, averaging 15.8 yards per catch and racking up nine touchdowns. Williams paired nicely next to Vincent Jackson who came over for the 2012 season. Williams cemented his spot as the team's No. 2 receiver with 127 targets, while Dallas Clark was 51 below him in the No. 3 spot.
The Buccaneers currently have $12 million in free salary cap space to work with. Williams is set to earn a small $1.4 million in the coming season. A No. 2 receiver on a team normally earns much more than that. Williams would like for his new contract extension to be in the range of what Wes Welker or Danny Amendola recently signed in the offseason. He could average around $6 million per year, but since his current salary is so low, his pay raise will likely not be that high.
Williams was reportedly ok with waiting until the end of free agency and the NFL draft to get a new deal signed, but now is ready for the team to give him a deserved raise. Tampa Bay has the salary cap space to meet Williams' demands.
