Each of the last 3 years, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made a big splash in the offseason by rewarding a member of their secondary with a mega-contract.
In 2022, cornerback Carlton Davis III signed a 3-year, $44.5 million extension. In 2023, cornerback Jamel Dean signed a 4-year, $52 million extension.
Then, in 2024, the crown jewel — a 4-year, $84.1 million extension for safety Antoine Winfield Jr.
So, why no big-time secondary extension in 2025? Because each of the last 3 years, the player who landed those massive new deal responded with the worst seasons of their careers.
It’s also probably why Tampa Bay cornerback Zyon McCollum didn’t receive an extension this offseason — so far, at least — and barring an NFL All-Pro season this will likely be his last with the Buccaneers before he enters free agency.
Even if McCollum has another serviceable season, it’s not far-fetched to expect he could still sign a free agent contract in the range of a 3-year, $40 million deal — money the Buccaneers would probably still be loathe to pay.
Buccaneers Went Heavy on Secondary in NFL Draft
The 2025 NFL draft indicated the Buccaneers seem set on not giving up another huge contract in the secondary for several years. Tampa Bay got first round talent in the second round with Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison and drafted another cornerback in the third round with Kansas State’s Jacob Parrish.
“Morrison will almost certainly become the first replacement among the outside corners, while classmate Jacob Parrish will likely help over the slot,” Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski wrote on June 21. “The former has the talent to eventually claim one of the outside jobs, with a close eye on McCollum’s performance since he’s set to enter free agency after this season.”
McCollum is now in the final season of the 4-year, $3.98 million rookie contract he signed after the Buccaneers drafted him in the fifth round (No. 157 overall) out of Sam Houston State in the 2022 NFL draft.
McCollum Got Off to Hot Start in 2024
McCollum was one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks in the first half of 2024 — something several experts saw coming before last season.
“Tampa Bay sent stud cornerback Carlton Davis III to Detroit, leaving a gap in its secondary,” PFF’s Bradley Locker wrote in May 2024. “One of the top names to step up is McCollum, who should start on the outside next to Jamel Dean. McCollum hasn’t been superb through two seasons, with both years ending with an overall grade no higher than 50.4, but his tackling and run defense play each improved in his second year. After all, he already has Todd Bowles’ trust, with his 870 snaps in 2023 ranking fourth on Tampa.”
At the midway point of the season, McCollum was named to the PFF Midseason NFL All-Pro Team. He finished the season with a 69.5 overall grade from PFF, ranking hin 59th out of 222 eligible cornerbacks. While he had 2 interceptions in 2024, he didn’t have a pick past Week 6.
“Across 329 coverage snaps, McCollum has given up just 17 receptions for 286 yards,” wrote PFF’s Gordon McGuinness. “While he has been beaten at times, he has also shown a knack for finding the football, recording six pass breakups and two interceptions.”
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