The Buccaneers made a mistake by trading a $44 million cornerback to a Super Bowl contender

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers spent the offseason basking in the light of media plaudits for what appeared to be a series of savvy moves and a great draft class, including what appeared to be a series of no-brainer signings of star veterans whom they were never going to let go in the first place.

One of the transactions that the Buccaneers appeared to enjoy the most was moving veteran cornerback Carlton Davis and two sixth-round picks to the Detroit Lions in return for a 2024 third-round pick, which Tampa Bay used to select University of Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan.

Now, ten games into the 2024 regular season, it’s tough to regard the Buccaneers as anything other than losers in that deal, with Davis playing at the Pro Bowl level and revitalizing his career on the NFL’s hottest team. The Buccaneers, on the other hand, are enjoying their worst defensive season in recent memory, particularly after being destroyed by one quarterback after another.

McMillan has also been a non-factor due to injury, appearing in only five games and recording 10 receptions for 109 yards and one touchdown.

Davis Playing Way Into Another Massive Contract

Davis spent the first six seasons of his career with the Buccaneers, who chose him in the second round (No. 63 overall) of the 2018 NFL draft. He became a full-time starter as a rookie and had a career-high four interceptions in 2020, helping Tampa Bay win the Super Bowl.

Davis also made a lot of money with the Buccaneers, signing a 3-year, $44.5 million contract extension in March 2022, which was later converted into a 1-year, $14.5 million contract with the Lions after the trade.

Davis has struggled with injuries his entire career. He has yet to play a full season and missed a career-high seven games in 2021. He missed four games in 2022 and five in 2023.

That has not been an issue in 2024. Davis has played in all nine games for the Lions, who are 8-1 and appear to be on course to reach the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history after losing in the NFC Championship Game following the 2023 season. Their sole loss was to the Buccaneers in Week Two.

When Davis addressed Sports Illustrated’s Christian Booher about his old team, he didn’t jump at the chance to put them under the bus.

“It’s not personal for me, at all. I could never get personal with these type of games, because it’s all business. They’re just the next opponent in our way and it’s a long journey,” Davis told Sports Illustrated’s Christian Booher before facing his old team. “Like I said, it’s a business. I do have a lot of love for those guys over there, but on Sunday, it’s football, man. There’s no friends on the field, and there won’t be on Sunday.”