It might just be something like bad luck, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers seem destined to lose free agent cornerback Jamel Dean right when he’s finally playing at an elite level again.

Dean had underperformed in the 2 seasons since he signed a 4-year, $52 million contract extension before the 2023 season, so him agreeing to a pay cut in 2025 so he could get out of his contract one year early was fine for all involved.

Like any other financial decision Tampa Bay has made with its secondary in recent years, the move backfired.

Dean responded with arguably the best season of his career/ Now, he’s ready to cash in elsewhere, which would rob the Buccaneers of their one reliable veteran at the position.

It seems almost impossible that Dean, at this point, will return to the Buccaneers in 2026 after PFF predicted he’ll be the highest paid free agent cornerback in this year’s cycle with a projected 3-year, $55 million contract.

“Entering his age-30 season, Jamel Dean has a resume of tremendous consistency that is rarely seen at the cornerback position,” PFF’s Mason Cameron wrote. “Coverage play is volatile, with even the best players riding through the peaks and valleys. Yet, Dean has been able to produce a PFF coverage grade above 72.0 in each of his seven seasons as a pro. Dean profiles as one of the game’s stalwart outside cornerbacks, with his 86.9 PFF coverage grade on the outside ranking fourth among all qualifying cornerbacks. At around an $18 million average annual value, Dean would position himself among the 15 highest-paid cornerbacks, with his deal taking on a similar structure to that of Carlton Davis, Byron Murphy and Charvarius Ward, who each signed three-year, $54 million contracts last offseason.”

Bucs Missed Playoffs For First Time Since 2019

The Buccaneers went 8-9 overall in 2025 and missed the playoffs for the 1st time since 2019 and outside of Dean and defensive tackle Vita Vea, no one on the defense seemed like they played at an elite level.

Polymarket Sports’ NFL writer John Frascella has Dean ranked as the No. 9 overall free agent in the 2026 cycle. After struggling in 2023 and 2024, Dean bounced back with 3 interceptions in 2025 despite missing 3 games due to injuries.

Bleacher Report put Dean on its list of the “Most Overpaid Players in the NFL” before the season.

“The six-year veteran was frequently burned in coverage in 2023 and was not a No. 1-caliber corner last year,” Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon wrote. “He isn’t much of a playmaker, either (three interceptions total in the last three seasons), and he’s simply not living up to a four-year, $52 million contract.”

Dolphins Called ‘Ideal Fit’ For Dean

Pro Football Focus tabbed the struggling Miami Dolphins as the “best landing spot” for the 6-foot-1, 206-pound Dean, who won the Super Bowl with the Bucs in 2020.

“Former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is taking over as head coach of the Miami Dolphins and should be keyed in on overhauling the coverage unit this offseason,” PFF’s Mason Cameron wrote. “The Dolphins rostered just one cornerback with at least 100 coverage snaps and a 60.0-plus PFF coverage grade. That player was Rasul Douglas, who is slated to enter free agency, creating an immediate need at the position.”

Tony Adame covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. A veteran sports writer and editor since 2004, his work has been featured at Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, NW Florida Daily News and Pensacola News Journal. More about Tony Adame

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