What's next for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency now that Tom Brady is returning? - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Blog- ESPN

TAMPA, Fla. — With quarterback Tom Brady announcing his return on Sunday and wide receiver Chris Godwin getting the franchise tag right before Tuesday's deadline, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ focus now shifts to free agency, with legal tampering kicking off Monday.

Players the Bucs would like to have back include cornerback Carlton Davis, center Ryan Jensen, right guard Alex Cappa and safety Jordan Whitehead.

Running back Leonard Fournette is a head-scratcher but has a better chance of coming back now that Brady is in the mix. Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and Jason Pierre-Paul could depart because of age and cost. Players who are expected to walk include running back Ronald Jones II, tight end O.J. Howard and cornerback Richard Sherman, among others.

Re-signing their own is a priority, but re-signing everyone won't be possible the way it was last year because of limited salary-cap space. Here’s a close look at whom they could bring back, and how much it will cost, as well as who's on the bubble.

The Bucs placed the franchise tag on Godwin for the second straight year, worth $19.18 million, because they weren’t able to reach an agreement on a long-term deal. But it’s still possible a long-term deal gets done before the start of free agency on Wednesday to lower Godwin’s salary-cap hit. They’re still negotiating, and a multiyear deal would give them more flexibility in free agency, lowering his cap charge by spreading out the signing bonus or guaranteed money, which could allow the Bucs to bring back one or two more players.

They have until July 15 to strike a new deal before he officially plays under the tag in 2022. Sources close to the situation say Godwin wants a three-year deal so he can reach free agency again at age