Contract Details for Tom Crabtree's New Deal in Tampa Bay
Bob McGinn has the contract numbers for Tom Crabtree's new deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
By Zach Kruse
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers certainly didn't need to break the bank to pry tight end Tom Crabtree away from the Green Bay Packers.
According to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Crabtree agreed to a deal worth just $1.6 million over two years—or $800,000 a season. The Packers were unwilling to go any higher than one year and $700,000, and Crabtree made the financially easy decision and signed with Tampa Bay Friday.
Tom Crabtree's deal with #Buccaneers was for modest $1.6M over two years. Source said #Packers held at about $700,000 for 1 year. He gone.
— Bob McGinn (@BobMcGinn) March 16, 2013
The league minimum for a third-year player in 2013 is $630,000.
The Packers decided earlier this week against tendering Crabtree, who ended 2012 as a restricted free agent.
Green Bay had the opportunity to give Crabtree an original-round tender at a cost of $1.323 million in 2013, which likely would have fended off all advances from other teams. Instead, general manager Ted Thompson decided to let Crabtree become unrestricted and hope he could get the 27-year-old tight end back on a more team-friendly deal.
The decision backfired, but Thompson's reluctance to go above one year and $700,000 is evidence enough that bringing back Crabtree wasn't a high priority. The Packers easily could have matched a two-year deal worth $1.6 million, given their current cap situation.
Crabtree expressed disappointment in not being able to work out a deal with the Packers, who signed him off the street during the 2009 season.
But with the contract numbers known from both the Packers and Buccaneers, it's hard to blame Crabtree for leaving Green Bay for a team clearly more willing to invest both money and years.
Zach Kruse is a 24-year-old sports writer who contributes to Cheesehead TV, Bleacher Report and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He also covers prep sports for the Dunn Co. News. You can reach him on Twitter @zachkruse2 or by email at [email protected].
Comments (22)
March 16, 2013 at 04:43 pm
Man...cash must be tighter than we can imagine at 1265.
March 16, 2013 at 05:01 pm
Two years, near the LM - I guess TT didn't think TC was work CF, or TC did not give TT a chance to match on DL.
March 16, 2013 at 05:17 pm
We aren't going to act like Tom Crabtree is a big loss are we? We have seen his ceiling and it is not very high. Nagler could have scored on that fake kick. Who knows if he even makes the roster next season.
March 16, 2013 at 06:53 pm
"Nagler could have scored on that fake kick."
Let's not get carried away.
March 16, 2013 at 07:26 pm
I'd except you to catch irony, Fitz.
March 17, 2013 at 12:53 am
:-), I got it.
March 16, 2013 at 05:35 pm
Thank you Jeremy. We are already crowded at the position and he was already on the bubble for making our 53.
March 16, 2013 at 06:00 pm
This story is making me laugh so hard... Crabtree is a back up blocking te who caught a Grand total of 8 catches this past season. And people are upset that he wasn't resigned?!?! Wow lol
Zach Kruse
March 16, 2013 at 06:38 pm
Is that the tone you took from the actual article, or the comments?
March 16, 2013 at 06:45 pm
Well, My comment was not about the tone of your article, Zack. Just a plea not to hear the crying about the lose of Tom Crabtree I was presently expecting. I like Tom Crabtree, but he is just a guy and the Packers are probably better of with a late round draft pick with potential in his roster spot.
PackerAaron
March 16, 2013 at 07:43 pm
<em>people are upset that he wasn’t resigned?!?!</em>
People who got to know him, either in person or even a little via Twitter? Yes, they are. Sometimes it's about more than the box score.
March 17, 2013 at 03:03 pm
Right on, Aaron.
March 16, 2013 at 08:03 pm
I understand the personal aspect of it, but his leaving shouldnt be a reason for people to continue to rip Ted Thompson. Crabtree was just a "guy", he wasn't going to break out and finally have receiving skills I mean come on people. His departure opens up a spot for bostick (sp?) who I think is better anyways.
March 16, 2013 at 10:11 pm
I am not going to rip on TT for this because football wise it was probably the right move. However, since TT and MM have been around they have always used the phrase " Packer People". TC was Packer People personified. Was he the most talented TE, no, but he was a special team leader and did what was asked of him. He was not the reason the Packers did not advance. I think teams need a player like TC, and I wish him well in Tampa Bay.
March 16, 2013 at 10:31 pm
I can't figure Ted Thompson out anymore so im not even gonna try.
March 16, 2013 at 10:48 pm
I think it is obvious that TT wanted to give the PS player Bostik a better chance to make the 2013 team with all the other TEs on the roster and keep Finley at the same money or a renegotiation in contract length. There are also several TEs available in this draft that he might covet. He also seems to be cleaning up the LB situation before the draft. I did hate to see GJ go to the Viqueens though.
March 17, 2013 at 09:38 am
Keep in mind, no state income tax in Florida too. That's a good chunk of change to keep in your pocket.
March 18, 2013 at 10:09 pm
That's assuming he becomes a Florida resident. I don't think it really matters where you earn your income...it's where you reside for 6 months +1 day a year.
March 18, 2013 at 11:32 pm
For that reason alone, you can be sure he'll change his residence to FL. Its a no-brainer.
March 17, 2013 at 12:02 pm
We have a lot of options at TE. No problems. Good luck in Tampa, Tom.
March 17, 2013 at 12:16 pm
I just hope he takes Tallistch with him. She's super annoying.
March 18, 2013 at 09:43 am
She?