A former Michigan offensive lineman is sticking with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
And he’s going to be paid handsomely for it, too.
Guard Ben Bredeson and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers agreed to a three-year, $22 million contract extension on Monday, according to reports from NFL Network and ESPN.
Bredeson was set to enter free agency on Monday after signing a one-year, $3 million deal with the Bucs in 2024 to compete for a starting job along Tampa’s offensive line. He ultimately won the spot at left guard after Sua Opeta suffered a season-ending ACL injury in training camp.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, $12.5 million is guaranteed to Bredeson.
Not only did Bredeson win the job, but he looked good playing the position as well. Quarterback Baker Mayfield earned Pro Bowl honors while throwing for a career-high 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns in the regular season.
Bredeson is set to begin his sixth season in the NFL, a stint that included three seasons with the New York Giants (2021-‘23) and one season with the Baltimore Ravens (2020) who drafted him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
A Hartland, Wisconsin, native, Bredeson played four seasons at Michigan, where he was a three-time all-Big Ten offensive lineman, second-team All-American and voted team captain.
Free-agent negotiations can begin with NFL teams at Noon ET on Monday, but signings can’t take place until 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday.