The Tampa Bay Buccaneers want wide receiver Vincent Jackson back next season, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. The 33-year-old veteran wide receiver only played in 10 games last season due to knee injuries but is still considered an impact player when healthy in Tampa Bay.
Jackson is in his final year of his contract that includes a $9.8 million salary, and he reportedly plans to play it out. The Buccaneers want Jackson back next season but could look to restructure his current deal, as they likely don't want to overpay for the veteran wide receiver, according to Stroud.
The Buccaneers have some major decisions to make this offseason, as star running back Doug Martin is expected to test the free agent market this offseason. The Buccaneers also reportedly want offensive lineman Logan Mankins back next season, but the Buccaneers guard is still contemplating whether he will retire.
The Buccaneers have named offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter their next head coach, and he will look to continue to improve their offense in quarterback Jameis Winston's second season. The Buccaneers finished the 2015 season fifth in the league in terms of yards per game but struggled to capitalize with points as they only averaged 21.4 points per game.
The Buccaneers offense is clearly better when both Jackson and wide receiver Mike Evans are on the field, as both are listed 6-foot-5 and are huge redzone targets for their young quarterback. The past season was the first year since arriving in Tampa Bay that Jackson didn't complete a full 16-game season, and in every previous season with the Buccaneers he had recorded over 1,000 receiving yards.
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht will look to bring Jackson and Mankins both back next season, but their front office may try to restructure their current deals this offseason, as they look to create more cap space.
