Report: Winfield becomes NFL's top-paid DB

Tampa Bay Buccaneers and franchise-tagged safety Antoine Winfield Jr. agreed to a record four-year extension worth $84.1 million, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The contract's reported value makes Winfield the NFL's highest-paid defensive back and the first safety ever to hold that title. The 25-year-old also received $45 million in guarantees, a record for a safety, adds Schefter.

The Buccaneers announced Winfield's extension Monday, the pact running through 2027.

With his new deal, Winfield headlines a defensive back market dominated by cornerbacks.

Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander previously earned the top annual salary for a defensive back at $21 million, with cornerbacks also holding the next seven spots, per Over The Cap. Los Angeles Chargers star Derwin James' $19 million per season ranked first for safeties and ninth among defensive backs.

Winfield, the 2020 No. 45 pick, stuffed the stat sheet in 2023 with 122 tackles, six sacks, three interceptions, and six forced fumbles to earn his first first-team All-Pro honor.

The Buccaneers prioritized re-signing their players this offseason, notably bringing back quarterback Baker Mayfield (three-year, $100-million deal), receiver Mike Evans (two-year, $41-million deal), and linebacker Lavonte David (one-year, $8.5-million deal).

Winfield was one of nine players to be franchise-tagged this offseason and was set to earn $17.123 million in 2024. Seven other tagged players have also received extensions, with Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins the only one without a long-term deal.