The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed left tackle Donovan Smith to a three-year deal.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the contract is worth $41.5 million and contains $27 million in guaranteed money.
The #Buccaneers have reached agreement on a three-year, $41.25 million deal with LT Donovan, Smith, source says. He gets $27 million fully guaranteed. Team and Smith avoid the franchise tag. He sticks in Tampa.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 5, 2019
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sign Donovan Smith
The deal locks up the blindside protector of Buccaneers quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick. It also solidifies this offensive line, which Smith has become a mainstay since being drafted.
The Bucs drafted Smith, a left tackle from Penn State in the second round, 34th overall, in 2015.
“He has started 64 consecutive games, tied for second most by any left tackle in the league, behind Jake Matthews of the Atlanta Falcons. Smith’s 4,142 snaps are the most by any player, offense and defense, since 2015 behind Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, and his 2,559 pass-blocking plays are the most since 2015,” per ESPN’s Jenna Laine.
By signing their left tackle now, the Buccaneers avoid the franchise-tag whose deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Also, with Smith’s extension, the Buccaneers have now secured the left side of their offensive line for the next few years. In October, the Buccaneers extended their left guard Ali Marpet to a six-year contract worth $55 million, including $27 million in guarantees.
The feeling in the Tampa Bay front office is that, as of right now, Smith’s best attributes are his toughness and constant availability. They also believe that the former Nittany Lion has yet to reach his full potential, and he has already played a critical role in their offense per ESPN’s Jenna Laine.
Last year, the Buccaneers had the third most yards of total offense (6,648) or 415.5 yards per game and finished 12th in scoring with 396 total points or 24.8 points per game. The Buccaneers’ 5,125 total passing yards or 320.3 passing yards per game led the National Football League.
