3:47pm: The Bucs and Wright have agreed to terms on a one-year contract, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
3:39pm: Free agent safety Major Wright will sign with the Buccaneers, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times confirms (via Twitter) that the team is expected to lock up Wright, who is on track to become the latest ex-Bear to join former Chicago head coach Lovie Smith in Tampa Bay.
As the Bears’ full-time starter at strong safety last season, Wright grabbed a pair of interceptions, and racked up more than 100 tackles, but earned the dubious honor of ranking dead-last out of 86 qualified safeties, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades (subscription required). According to PFF’s data, quarterbacks completed 77.8% of their passes when throwing at Wright’s coverage, with a QB rating of 146.8.
Still, 2013 may have been an aberration for the former third-round pick. Under Smith, who is now the Bucs’ head coach, Wright’s PFF grades looked significantly better in 2011 and 2012, and at age 25, there’s still plenty of room for growth.