Logan Mankins to Remain With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sep 7, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard Logan Mankins (70) blocks against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Logan Mankins will remain with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next season, Bucs general manager Jason Licht told ESPN.

There was speculation that Mankins, who will make $7 million in 2015, could be a salary cap casualty but that will reportedly not be the case.

“We think the world of Logan,” Licht told Pat Yasinskas. “He’s part of the solution. He wasn’t part of the problem. Having him for another year, the full offseason, which he already has told me he wants to be there for the whole offseason. I think it’s going to be extremely valuable to this football team moving forward. Yeah, he has a future with us.”

Mankins was acquired from the New England Patriots on Aug.27 for tight end Tim Wright and a 2015 fourth-round draft pick.

“Logan…everything I hoped he would bring,” Bucs head coach Lovie Smith told patriots.com. “I’m talking about a veteran that’s played at a high level. Leadership. And then just good play. Logan played well throughout. We need to get others up to pace with him. Everything you want in a player coming in, a veteran player that’s done it a certain way, he was able to do for us. Look forward to going forward with him.”

Due to the late acquisition of the six-time Pro Bowler, Mankins didn’t suit up with the Bucs until their regular season opener and appeared to have a difficult time adjusting to his new team.

The Bucs had the 30th ranked offense last year in large part due to the ineffectiveness of an offensive line that allowed 52 sacks.

Mankins, 32, started all 16 games last season.