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Buccaneers' Antoine Winfield, Jr. is having a once-in-a-generation season

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Craig Smith | Last updated 12/27/23

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been a very streak team in 2023. After starting 3-1, they lost 6 out of their next 7 to fall to 4-7. However, a 4-game winning streak has them on the doorstep of a third straight division title.

Despite the seesaw season, one constant has been the play of their veteran safety Antoine Winfield, Jr. And it's been a level of play from the secondary that no one has seen in a quarter of a century.

Winfield, Jr. has posted a stat line that should have him on top of all lists for first-team All-Pro, if not better.

The do-it-all season Bucs safety Antoine Winfield has had is unprecedented -- five sacks, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and three interceptions.

Only once in the last 25 seasons has anyone even had three of each -- Steelers' James Farrior had 3, 3, 3, 4 in 2004.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 27, 2023

As James Farrior was a linebacker for the Steelers, that means that Winfield, Jr. is the only defensive back in the NFL in the last 25 seasons to reach all of those marks.

That's a pretty incredible stat, and it speaks volumes to the impact that the fourth-year safety has had on Tampa Bay's defense this year. The Buccaneers are tied for first in the NFL in turnover margin at +10, and Winfield, Jr.'s clutch plays are a big reason that the defense has 24 takeaways, tied for fifth best in the league.

Winfield, Jr. is a lock for the Pro Bowl, should be a lock for first-team All-Pro, and absolutely should be on a very short list for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. He certainly would be if he was playing in a major media market or for a team that otherwise gets a lot more widespread attention. He's currently the top-graded safety by Pro Football Focus with a score of 91.4.

GM Jason Licht has a lot of work to do in the offseason to keep Winfield, Jr., Mike Evans, Tristan Wirfs, and - believe it or not - Baker Mayfield all in Tampa Bay for years to come.

With a season like the one he's having, there's no way Licht will allow Winfield, Jr. to put on another team's jersey any time soon.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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