Who Are the Buccaneers’ Biggest Bargain Players? Tampa Bay’s Top-5 Best Contracts in 2025

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have become perennial contenders in the NFC with four consecutive division titles and five straight playoff appearances. That sustained success stems from successful drafting and team-friendly free agency deals.

Here are five contracts that offer the Buccaneers outstanding value heading into the 2025 season.

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The Best Value Contracts on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bucky Irving

The Bucs landed the steal of the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting running back Bucky Irving in the fourth round. As a rookie, Irving far surpassed his Day 3 draft status, rushing for over 1,100 yards along with eight touchdowns. He also added 392 receiving yards.

 

He wasn’t just one of the best rookies in 2024—he was one of the most productive running backs in the entire league.

Irving provided a spark for the Buccaneers offense last season and will be the centerpiece of the offense moving forward. In 2025, Irving is scheduled to earn just $960,000 in total cash while serving as the starting running back, making him one of the league’s best values.

Baker Mayfield

Quarterback Baker Mayfield has revived his career in Tampa Bay. His two seasons in Tampa Bay have been the best two of his career. He has led the team to a 19-15 regular season record, two NFC South titles, and one playoff victory. In 2024, Mayfield entered elite territory, setting new career-highs with 4,500 passing yards and 41 passing touchdowns.

Mayfield is set to earn $30 million in total cash for the 2025 season. That figure may not seem like a bargain on paper, but relative to his production compared to similarly paid quarterbacks, Mayfield’s contract is an absolute bargain for Tampa Bay.

Mayfield ranks as the No. 16 highest-paid quarterback in the NFL, according to Spotrac.
Based on PFSN’s QB+ metric, Mayfield was ranked as the No. 6 quarterback in the league for his performance in 2024.

Mayfield’s production far outweighs his contract, and he has proven to be one of the best free agent signings in recent NFL history.

Zyon McCollum

The cornerback market exploded this offseason, and the Buccaneers are lucky to have an up-and-coming player at the position at an inexpensive contract.

Zyon McCollum is poised to start the season as the Bucs’ No. 1 cornerback on the depth chart, while being paid just $3.4 million. That places him in a tie for the No. 53 highest-paid player at his position.

McCollum had the best season of his career in 2024, and his rookie contract is becoming more of a bargain as he continues to develop into a cornerstone defensive player in Tampa Bay.

Luke Goedeke

A second-round pick in 2022, Luke Goedeke has developed into a quality right tackle for the Buccaneers. The importance of offensive line play in today’s NFL can’t be overstated, and the Buccaneers are getting incredible value out of Goedeke, who is still on his rookie contract.

Tampa Bay’s starting right tackle is due for total cash earnings of $3.4 million in 2025, which is tied for No. 23 among right tackles. The Bucs only had to pay the 27-year-old an average of $1.5 million per year over the course of his rookie contract.

Over The Cap currently values Goedeke as a $14.8 million dollar player, which demonstrates just how big of a value he is for the Buccaneers, and he is due for a big payday next offseason when his rookie contract expires.

Anthony Nelson

Edge Anthony Nelson is quietly one of the most underappreciated players in Tampa Bay.
Since being drafted by the Buccaneers in 2019, Nelson has totaled 18.5 sacks. He is a reliable rotational edge defender who impacts both pass and run defense.

He may have even saved the team’s 2024 season with a clutch performance in a a must-win game. In a week 13 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, Nelson forced an overtime fumble that ended what would’ve been a game-winning drive. The heroic play sparked a crucial Bucs victory and earned Nelson a game ball from head coach Todd Bowles.

Nelson’s $5.5 million total cash figure for 2025 ranks No. 62 in the NFL at his position according to Spotrac, and the Bucs are happy to pay such a reasonable price for a key defensive depth piece.

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