Top free agent cornerback Jamel Dean is nearing a deal to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the official start of free agency, The Athletic reported Monday.

The deal would pay Dean $52 million over four seasons, per reports.

Restricted by a tight salary cap situation, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht described the mission to keep Dean, a third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, as challenging when discussing the roster at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Dean earned $3.55 million over his first four seasons in the league.

In his four seasons in Tampa Bay, Dean appeared in 57 games (38 starts) and had 193 tackles (six for loss), 41 passes defensed, seven interceptions and one touchdown.

The 26-year-old made a career-high 15 starts last season before missing the final two regular-season games with a broken toe.

--Field Level Media