The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will usher in their 50th season of football in 2025. Since the expansion team was assembled in 1976, many players have created magic on the gridiron. Over the years, iconic moments have been immortalized in the Bucs' archives. This upcoming season, the Bucs will transport back in time, unveiling the Top 50 players in franchise history. Fans will have the opportunity to cast a vote for their favorite stars. Voting will run through May 30. The final results will be announced during Training Camp and contestants have 151 players to choose from. The players that are eligible meet one of the following criteria:
- Started at least 50 games for the Bucs
- Top 5 in a major team statistical category
- Voted to a Pro Bowl or First or Second-Team All Pro
- Part of an iconic moment in Bucs history
Throughout the voting window, we are taking a look at each position group of eligible players, continuing with safety. The Bucs have 13 safeties who are eligible for the Top 50 ranking and fans can select two from the subsequent list. Eligible fans who vote will be entered into a sweepstakes to win some amazing prizes. To vote, click this link. The grand prize winner will receive a $1500 gift card to the team store. 10 runner-ups will score a $100 gift card to the team store.
Among the list is John Lynch, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Bucs' Ring of Honor. He ranks fifth in games played (164), sixth in games started (132), fifth in tackles (973) and sixth in interceptions (23). He was selected to five Pro Bowls as a Buccaneer and four as a Bronco, and his nine total appearances in the all-star game are tied for second-most in league history amongst career safeties. Nicknamed "The Closer" by Monte Kiffin, Lynch was known for his trademark late-game heroics.
Antoine Winfield Jr. joins Lynch as the only safeties in Buccaneers history to earn first-team AP All-Pro honors. He set an unprecedented stat line in 2023, which cemented his place in the upper echelon at the position. Winfield Jr. became the highest graded player by PFF (91.2), and he amassed 6.0 sacks, three interceptions, 12 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, six tackles for loss, 122 tackles and eight quarterback hits in 2023. Winfield has the most sacks by a safety in franchise history with 17 and is the lone defensive back with 10-plus sacks, five-plus forced fumbles and five-plus fumble recoveries through their first four seasons (since at least 2000). Jordan Whitehead, known for his game-shifting hit on Aaron Jones in the NFC Championship Game that forced a fumble and catapulted the Bucs to Super Bowl LV, is one-of-two safeties since 2018 with 25-plus tackles for loss and 10-plus interceptions.
Dexter Jackson memorably hauled in two interceptions in the first half of Super Bowl XXXVII, earning MVP honors. He became a linchpin of the defense during the 2002 championship run. Mark Cotney was part of the Bucs' inaugural season in 1976, starting 13 of 14 games that year. During his eight-year stint at a Buc, he also recorded 17 interceptions and recovered six fumbles. He was acquired in the expansion draft from the Houston Oilers, spending the rest of his career in Tampa Bay.
Here is the full list of eligible safeties:
- Cedric Brown
- Marty Carter
- Neal Colzie
- Mark Cotney
- Mike Edwards
- Harry Hamilton
- Dexter Jackson
- Tanard Jackson
- John Lynch
- Jermaine Phillips
- Dwight Smith
- Jordan Whitehead
- Antoine Winfield Jr.
