Roy Cummings of the Tampa Bay Tribune writes that Buccaneers RT Demar Dotson is hoping that his recent decision to change agents and hire Joby Branion will help him secure a contract extension from the team.
As of now, the two sides are reportedly still in the preliminary stages of contract talks.
Dotson wound up holding out of the team’s offseason workouts for a few weeks, but later reported to the team. Bucs GM Jason Licht said that he’s confident Dotson isn’t considering going that route again.
“Demar and I talked after he came back to work for our (mandatory) minicamp in June, and while no promises were made by us, I think we have a good understanding of where we stand,’’ Licht said.
Dotson had said previously that they were close to an agreement, but it sounds like there is even more work to be done.
“We were pretty close (to finishing a deal) before (the boycott began),’’ Dotson said in June. “I’m hoping if I show up we can get it done. I really don’t want to miss any workouts or training camp.”
Dotson, 29, still has two years remaining on his four-year, $7.5 million contract that included $2 million guaranteed. He stands to make base salaries of $1.5 million and $1.75 million over the next two years. He signed a three-year extension back in 2013, and will make just $2.5 million this season.
In 2014, Dotson appeared in all 16 games for the Buccaneers and was rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 28 offensive tackle out of 84 qualifying players. Being a starting offensive tackle, his $1.5 million base salary means that he is a highly underpaid player, so it’s easy to see why he is demanding a lucrative raise.
Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
