Tampa Bay Buccaneers sign C Ben Scott

Ben Scott's signing earns a C+ Contract Value Index (CVI), a mid-tier verdict that reflects the modest investment required to add depth at center without meaningful cap strain. At $967,500 AAV on a $1.935M total deal, this is a replacement-level flyer — the kind of low-risk, low-reward signing that NFL teams deploy to compete for depth roles or provide swing-line insurance. Scott's contract falls into the sub-$1M annual tier, meaning Tampa Bay is essentially paying veteran minimum-plus rates, which aligns with his functional value as a reserve or camp competitor rather than a cornerstone pivot. The value equation here is straightforward: the Buccaneers are betting that a cheap, available veteran can fill a gap without committing future cap flexibility or dead money that lingers into 2027, a smart move for an 8-9 team in the offseason phase looking to shore up the trenches without overcommitting. The CVI on this deal remains steady at C+ because there's no real downside — this is the kind of forgettable, sensible transaction that doesn't move the needle either way. For a team treading water at .500, it's the right-sized bet: low ceiling, manageable floor.