Another member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' resurgent 2016 defense has chosen to return to the team rather than test free agency. Safety Chris Conte, who was set to become an unrestricted free agent at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, instead reached agreement prior to that deadline on a new two-year deal.
This marks the third year in a row in which Conte has signed with the Buccaneers in March. He played the 2015 and 2016 seasons on consecutive one-year contracts.
Conte, a former third-round pick who spent his first four seasons with the Chicago Bears, has been a starter for most of his two years in Tampa.