Sources: Bucs extend OT Smith, bring back Suh
The Bucs created room under the cap and maintained continuity on the offensive line by extending OT Donovan Smith through 2023…
The Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued their busy offseason Wednesday, agreeing to a two-year, $31.8 million contract extension with offensive tackle Donovan Smith while finalizing a one-year, $10 million deal to bring back defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Smith’s extension runs through 2023 and includes $30 million guaranteed over the next two seasons, sources told ESPN.
The move helped the Bucs create more room under the salary cap for this season while still maintaining continuity on the offensive line to protect quarterback Tom Brady.
Suh has spent the past two seasons on one-year deals with the Bucs, playing an integral role in their transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense and helping mentor 2018 first-round draft pick Vita Vea after the departure of Gerald McCoy.
In 2019, his first year with defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, Suh had 2.5 sacks and four fumble recoveries — two of which were returned for touchdowns. Suh finished the 2020 regular season with 6 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 44 tackles. His 330 plays against double-teams was second only to the Los Angeles Rams‘ Aaron Donald, who was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Bowles credited Suh for not allowing Patrick Mahomes to properly step into his throws in Super Bowl LV, during which Suh registered 1.5 sacks. Coach Bruce Arians credited Suh for the impact he has had on younger players and for helping them overcome the loss of Vea during the regular season.
Suh, who turned 34 in January, was the Detroit Lions‘ pick at No. 2 in the 2010 draft, has been selected to five Pro Bowls and is a three-time first-team All-Pro. In 11 seasons with the Lions, Miami Dolphins, Rams and Buccaneers, he has 64.5 sacks and 563 tackles.
The moves are another in a busy offseason for the Bucs, who have now extended the deals of Brady and Smith, placed the franchise tag on receiver Chris Godwin and signed Suh, linebacker Shaq Barrett, linebacker Lavonte David, tight end Rob Gronkowski and kicker Ryan Succop to new deals.
ESPN’s Jenna Laine contributed to this report.
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