Click through to visit BillCurrieFord.com and see their extraordinary June discounts. Family-owned in Tampa since 1960! Bill Currie Ford general manager Sean Sullivan is ready to help you PERSONALLY and give you the famous Ira Kaufman discount. Don’t Worry, Drive Currie!
The Sage of Tampa Bay sports, Ira Kaufman, started his sports media career in September of 1976, later jumping on the Buccaneers beat in 1985. He joined JoeBucsFan.com in 2016. Last week, Ira chatted man-to-safety with Antoine Winfield at One Buc Palace.
BY IRA KAUFMAN
Antoine Winfield Jr. set a ridiculously high standard for himself in 2023. a peak he’s been trying to live up to with mixed results.
Winfield turns 28 in August and the veteran safety has proven to be a sublime second-round pick by Jason Licht in 2020, the same year Tristan Wirfs arrived at One Buc Place. As rookies, they helped lead Tampa Bay to a championship and they’re still key contributors six years later.
It was Winfield who authored the second-most critical play in Buc history, behind only Ronde Barber’s 92-yard interception return at Philadelphia that clinched the NFC title game for the 2002 club. During Tampa Bay’s 2020 title run, Winfield jarred the ball loose from tight end Jared Cook after a reception in New Orleans. triggering a third-quarter playoff comeback just when it appeared Drew Brees had the lead and the momentum.
That key turnover was a taste of things to come.
Winfield’s fourth season was a revelation as he earned first-team All-Pro honors with three interceptions, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, six sacks and 122 tackles. That startling production prompted the Bucs to make him the NFL’s highest-paid defensive back.
“It’s hard to express what a player like Antoine Winfield Jr. means to our team,” Todd Bowles said in celebrating the record-setting contract. “He’s a dynamic player whose presence elevates our team every day and whose work ethic inspires those around him. Between his football IQ, his leadership and his relentless drive, he sets the standard for what it means to be a Buccaneer.”
Antoine Winfield, Jr.
Now Winfield finds himself the mentor for a young secondary, surrounded by Tykee Smith, Jacob Parrish and Benjamin Morrison. He is determined to recapture his All-Pro form and erase the memories of last year’s post-bye collapse.
“That was the first time since I’ve been here that we didn’t make it to the playoffs,” Winfield says. “It was frustrating, I’m not going to lie. Knowing that, it’s always in the back of my mind. I come out here, I do my job, I work hard and I try to get the guys to follow. I felt like I played OK last year. I feel like I could have had a better year — I missed a few opportunities.”
In the past two seasons, Winfield hasn’t been able to match his flair for the kind of highlight plays that turn games around, registering two picks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, three sacks and 153 stops. He was solid, but not spectacular, in 2025 and it didn’t help when two potential defensive touchdowns were wiped out by official calls in a 23-3 victory at New Orleans.
This year’s team could feature five new defensive starters, an overhaul that already has Winfield’s attention.
“I’m excited watching the guys flying around,” he says. “I think the biggest thing that’s been different is the energy. It’s been like that every day defensively that we’ve been out here. I don’t know whether that’s bringing in new guys or new coaches.”
Tim Atkins, who followed Bowles from the Jets to the Bucs in 2019, has been promoted to safeties coach.
“Tim’s been around,” says Winfield. “He’s a great guy who is locking in on the little things we can do better. It’s his room now. He’s been with us, but it’s his room now.”
According to Bowles, Winfield’s meager numbers the past two seasons are misleading. He praised Winfield’s play often last year, lauding his leadership skills and knowledge of the game.
For his part, Winfield is well aware of the extent of fan backlash against Bowles, particularly in the aftermath of an 8-9 season.
“Coach Bowles is the same exact guy he’s always been,” says Winfield. “He has played the game, he understands the game and he understands the outside world of placing blame and people being fair weather. That’s the job that comes with being the top guy. You get the credit — and you also get criticized the most.”
The departure of Jamel Dean leaves Winfield as the old man of the secondary. He likes what he sees from a couple of second-year players seeking to make a bigger impact.
“Parrish was a heck of a player last year and he’s only going to get better,” he says. “I’m looking for Morrison to be more comfortable and confident this year. He has everything you would want out of a corner.”
What about Smith?
“As for Tykee,” Winfield says, “I’d describe him to you this way … he’s a player.”