UPDATED 5:10 PM: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed restricted free agent running back Peyton Barber to a one-year contract believed to be between $2 million – $3 million. Barber was originally tendered at the original level compensation of $2 million to comply with the 4:00 p.m. tender deadline for restricted free agents, but was able to come to terms with the team and sign the one-year deal shortly thereafter.

ESPN.com’s Jenna Laine reported Barber’s contract numbers.

Source tells me it’s a one-year deal for Peyton Barber (not a tender) with a $1 million signing bonus and a $1.125 base salary. ($2.125 million). No incentives but more money than he would have made on the tender ($2.02 million). — JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) March 13, 2019



The Bucs had hoped to sign a multi-year extension with Barber instead of using the one-year tender, but failed to reach an agreement. Complicating matters was the fact that Barber recently fired his agent and has a new representative. Barber will play under the one-year deal and then be an unrestricted free agent in 2020.

Barber, who was Tampa Bay’s leading rusher in 2018 with a career high 871 yards rushing and five touchdowns on 234 carries (3.7 avg.), is expected to be the starter for the Bucs again in 2019. He heavily praised by new head coach Bruce Arians at the NFL Scouting Combine.

“I love him,” Arians said. “When you watch him on tape you don’t see his 230 (lbs), you would think he’s a 205-pound running back because he’s got great feet. Not every back’s going to be a homerun hitter, but if he gets those 10-15 yard runs, breaking tackles, power runner, punishing runner, that’s kind of how I like to start. When we’re building something, that’s the kind I like to build around.”