Russell Gage, Buccaneers agree to contract restructure for 2023

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Russell Gage has reportedly agreed to a team-friendly restructure of his contract for the 2023 season.

According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Gage and the Bucs agreed to reduce the former LSU standout’s base salary from $10 million next season to $7 million.

His 2023 base salary is now fully guaranteed. The deal also includes incentives that would net him the former total of $10 million if he hits certain marks.

Reworking Gage’s contract opens up roughly $7.44 million for Tampa Bay in 2023. Per Greg Auman, the Bucs started the offseason over the 2023 salary cap by $57 million.

Bucs' path from $57 million over salary cap to today's compliance:

cutting Donovan Smith ($9.95m savings)
restructure Chris Godwin ($15.14m)
restructure Carlton Davis ($10.74m)
restructure Vita Vea ($9.14m)
restructure Ryan Jensen ($9.07m)
rework Russell Gage (~$7.44m)

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 12, 2023

The former sixth-round pick for the Falcons put up 51 catches this season for the Bucs. Gage suffered a serious concussion in January that ended his year after 426 receiving yards and five scores in the regular season and two catches for 10 yards in the postseason.

Bucs eye free agent QB Baker Mayfield

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are making their interest in a veteran quarterback known following Tom Brady‘s retirement. Although the Bucs drafted Kyle Trask in the second round in 2021, the team is reportedly expected to target free agent quarterback Baker Mayfield in just a few days’ time.

“When free agency begins, the #Bucs are expected to target ex-#Rams QB Baker Mayfield as a potential starting QB option, per me and @MikeGarafolo,” Rapoport tweeted on Sunday. “This could be competition for Kyle Trask, their former 2nd-round pick, who the team likes a lot. As TB plots life without Tom Brady…”

“They have a few guys they’ll check in on but Baker Mayfield could wind up making the most sense from a fit and financial standpoint,” NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo added.

More on the 2023 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2023 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 15. At that time, contracts running through 2022 officially run out, making those players free agents.

Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 7. Beginning March 13 through March 15 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office.

April 21 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 26, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits.