The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made a decision on what to do with defensive end Adrian Clayborn, as the fourth year pass rusher out of Iowa has been told the fifth year of his rookie deal will not be picked up before the May 3rd deadline which throws his future with the team into doubt.
According to Roy Cummings from the Tampa Bay Times, the Bucs have informed Clayborn’s agent that they will not be picking up the fifth year of his rookie contract.
It’s not that the Buccaneers don’t like Clayborn, as he’s been a starter since day one of his tenure in Tampa Bay, but picking up his fifth year would mean Tampa is on the hook for nearly $7 million and they don’t seem interested in giving him that for one year when they may be able to work out a long term deal.
The time to work that out will be slim though, as after this upcoming season, Clayborn will be an unrestricted free agent meaning the Bucs won’t get to match any offers he gets next offseason.