Michael Wiley

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Buccaneers' $1.0M AAV deal with Michael Wiley lands squarely in fair value territory, earning a C- CVI that reflects both the modest financial commitment and the running back's limited NFL track record. At this salary level, Tampa Bay isn't breaking the bank for what appears to be a depth piece or special teams contributor, making this a low-risk proposition that aligns with typical reserve running back compensation. Wiley's contract structure suggests the front office views him as organizational depth rather than a featured contributor, which makes sense given the crowded backfield hierarchy in most NFL systems. The relatively small total guarantee of $1.9M provides Tampa Bay with roster flexibility while giving Wiley a legitimate opportunity to carve out a role through camp competition. This represents solid roster management — not a difference-making acquisition, but the type of prudent depth signing that championship contenders need to execute consistently. The C- CVI reflects a transaction that's neither inspiring nor concerning, just competent front office work at the margins.

Performance Analysis

Michael Wiley is, by any honest measure, a replacement-level back whose D+ performance grade reflects exactly the kind of situational desperation that brought him to Tampa Bay in the first place. His headline-grabbing 28-touchdown résumé is effectively context-free — those numbers came against non-Power-5 competition, and the NFL game against the Buccaneers exposed just how thin that production translates at the professional level. The data here is sparse for good reason: Wiley appeared in just one game before Tampa Bay moved on, signing Josh Williams to the practice squad and releasing Wiley in a move that communicated minimal organizational confidence. As a second-year undrafted player, he entered as a depth-of-depth emergency option prompted entirely by Bucky Irving's injury, not as someone Tampa Bay viewed as part of any viable rotation. The Buccaneers' recent roster activity — extending Sean Tucker and bringing in several developmental pieces — suggests the front office is prioritizing structure and upside at every position, and Wiley simply did not fit that calculus. His Contract Value Index earns a C-, a steady grade that reflects the reality of a minimum-salary placeholder who carries almost no cap risk but just as little production value. With the regular season still 132 days away and Tampa Bay monitoring Irving's recovery timeline, Wiley's window here appears firmly closed.

Fan Sentiment

A roster-depth emergency signing prompted by Bucky Irving's injury, not a long-term solution. Headlines confirm Wiley was quickly released for Josh Williams, signaling minimal confidence in him. The 28-TD headline is misleading — those stats came at a non-Power-5 level against inferior competition. Fans are rightfully skeptical given his immediate release to the practice squad after arrival. Wiley is a short-term placeholder; Tampa Bay will lean on Williams and monitor Irving's recovery timeline.