The subject of trade rumors this year and before the 2019 deadline, O.J. Howard‘s future in Tampa Bay is uncertain. But the Bucs will pick up Howard’s fifth-year option, per a team announcement.
This will keep Howard under Bucs control through the 2021 season. While the new CBA mandates fifth-year options become fully guaranteed, the 2017 first-round class will be grandfathered in under the old system. Howard’s 2021 salary will be guaranteed for injury only, giving the Bucs flexibility.
Howard’s option will be worth just more than $6MM. Even though Howard has not been a focal point in Bruce Arians‘ offense, that represents an affordable price. For the time being, Howard is part of one of the highest-profile tight end groups in modern NFL history. He, Cameron Brate and the recently acquired Rob Gronkowski comprise said group. Brate is set to make $4.25MM in 2020; Gronk will count $9.25MM toward Tampa Bay’s cap. Howard will count just $3.5MM in 2020.
Jason Licht said recently the Bucs plan to team up Howard and Gronkowski. This, however, came shortly after a report indicated the team nearly traded Howard for then-Redskins tackle Trent Williams. Considering Gronk retired largely because of health concerns 13 months ago, it would make sense the Bucs keep he and Brate for insurance purposes. But it remains possible either Howard or Brate is shipped out.
The former Alabama tight end caught 34 passes for 565 yards in just 10 games in 2018, looking like a budding standout in Dirk Koetter‘s final season in Tampa. But an injury cut his season short. While Howard matched that catch total last season, it took him 14 games to do so during an up-and-down campaign. He stands to be one of Tom Brady‘s weapons this season.
They’ve contained the juice.
Leave OJ out of this. He’s the best cop on the squad.
We want you…we don’t want you…we want you…we dont want you…we want you…
You sound like my ex wife.
They generally want you at the start of the month when the rent is due so get ready…lol.