Imagine getting offered a fat contract by your employer just to have them snatch it away and simultaneously hire someone else and pay them exponentially more money.

Welcome to the life of former Seattle Seahawks and new Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety, Ryan Neal.

That exact scenario recently happened to Neal and it's what landed him in Tampa Bay. The Seahawks offered Neal a $2.627 million tender on March 14, but proceeded to sign former New York Giants safety Julian Love to a two-year, $12 million deal just three days later. The 'Hawks subsequently withdrew Neal's tender two weeks on later on March 31, making him an unrestricted free agent.

That's obviously not a situation anyone wants to be in, but it's a moot point, now. Neal has found a new home with the Buccaneers and he still has a legit shot at earning a starting gig. In fact, he'd start if the regular season began today.

 "My goal was just to show the league that I’m a legit starter," Neal told reporters Thursday. "I’ve been in Seattle the past couple of years [and] had my chances to go and flash and show [people]. Last year was really big and this year I just want to make that set in stone – set the statement: I’m a starting safety. 

"… I've been through kind of the roughest way to get to this point and it makes you grateful, but it also sets you apart and I understand that. So, I definitely wear that with a badge of pride. So, just being able to come here and finally get the chance. It's the opportunity and it's what I'm looking for, and I found it so it's time to take advantage of it."

It's a great fit. The Buccaneers needed to find Pro Bowler Antoine Winfield Jr. a running mate and Neal's versatility is exactly what Todd Bowles looks for in safeties. Per Pro Football Focus, Neal recorded over 300+ snaps in the box, 100+ snaps in the slot, and over 200 snaps at free safety during the 2022 regular season. That versatility allowed him to record career-highs in total tackles (66), solo tackles (45), TFLs (4.0), pass deflections (8), forced fumbles (1), and sacks (1.0). Neal also recorded an interception last year.

Neal is well aware of the opportunity that lays before him. The Buccaneers need him in 2023 and he needs them. And playing under a coach like Todd Bowles should put him in the perfect position to capitalize in Tampa Bay.

"I see there is a need and like my dad always raised me up, it’s not usually going to the best team but where you’re needed," said Neal. "It’s a blessing to be here and all I plan on doing is bringing my piece to the table and trying to find a way to enhance this team, this defense – whatever I’m asked to do, just find a way to make it better.

."… One thing about [Todd Bowles] is he’s a mastermind. He never ran the same thing so it was kind of hard trying to figure out what was going on. It was like, who’s doing what? You don’t know who’s doing what, who’s going where. I think it’ll be really cool for me. I’ve done a lot of different things in our defense for the past four years – been in multiple positions. It’ll be cool to see how [versatile] I can be. I’m looking forward to the challenge, man. I’m always looking to see if I can affect the game anywhere – that’s always been a goal of mine."

Neal may be on a veteran minimum deal, but don't let that fool you. He graded out as PFF's best safety among safeties with at least 713 defensive snaps in 2022. He finished with the ninth-best grade in run defense and the second-best coverage grade, along with a top-25 grade in tackling. Quarterbacks also averaged the 13th-worst QB rating when targeting Neal in coverage (77.0).

In other words: the dude can ball.

The Buccaneers may have found a hidden gem in an offseason where they need a lot of hidden gems. And it will be huge in carrying the defense's strength moving forward.

"I think what you're going to get out of me is just a consistently good football player who is just going to leave everything out there on the field every time he plays," said Neal. "That's just how I base it."