The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are trying to build off a successful 2024 season, especially on offense where the team reached heights that were rarely seen before.

All of it starts up front, where the Bucs had four of their five starters still under contract after the season ended. The lone exception was left guard Bredeson, who was brought in on a one-year deal last year.

Bredeson was solid, playing 99% of offensive snaps in-between Graham Barton and Tristan Wirfs. Many believed he’d return in 2025, but as we all know, nothing is guaranteed in free agency.

Per NFL Network’s Sara Walsh, the Bucs extended Bredeson on Monday via a three-year, $22 million deal. It’s a helluva raise from the $3.5 million he made in 2024 and the $7.3 million per year average nearly matches his $7,327,630 in career earnings.

It’s a bit of an overpay, to be honest. Even if Bredeson played well and should continue to do so. However, the Bucs aren’t only paying for Bredeson; they’re paying for continuity along the offensive line, which is worth its own weight in gold and gives Baker Mayfield and Co. a big advantage heading into 2025.

The advantage lies in the fact that not many offensive lines get to play together and form the cohesion that the Bucs offensive line will have in 2025. It doesn’t apply to just 2024-2025, either. The trio of Wirfs, Luke Goedeke, and Cody Mauch were together for all 17 games at their current positions in 2023, too.

So, while $7.3 million per year may be a little over the top for Bredeson, again, the Bucs are paying more for than just his play. They’re keeping a strong unit together that seriously has top-5 potential if it can take the next step forward.

Which means the pieces will be in place to build off last year, which is crazy to think about and would be awfully impressive to see.