was also selected to play in the 2000 Pro Bowl. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished atop the NFC Central Division with an 11–5 record and earned a first-round bye. On January 15, 2000, Lynch recorded eight combined tackles and intercepted a pass by Redskins quarterback Brad Johnson during a 14–13 victory over the Washington Redskins in the NFC Divisional Round. The following week, Lynch recorded three tackles as the Buccaneers lost 11–6 at the St. Louis Rams in the NFC Championship Game. 2000 season On September 11, 2000, the Buccaneers signed Lynch to a six-year, $24 million contract extension that included $5.6 million guaranteed. Head coach Tony Dungy retained the starting secondary from the previous season, including safeties Lynch and Damien Robinson and cornerbacks Ronde Barber and Donnie Abraham. In Week 6, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles during a 30–23 loss at the Minnesota Vikings. Lynch started in all 16 games in 2000 and recorded 94 combined tackles, three interceptions, and one sack. 2001 season Head coach Tony Dungy named Lynch the starting strong safety to begin the sixth consecutive season. He started alongside free safety Dexter Jackson in 2001. During Week 5, Lynch collected a season-high 12 combined tackles (nine solo) during a 31–28 road loss to the Tennessee Titans. Lynch finished the 2001 season with 87 combined tackles (62 solo), four pass deflections, three interceptions, and a sack in 16 games and starts. On January 2, 2002, it was announced that Lynch was selected to play in the 2002 Pro Bowl. 2002 season On January 14, 2002, the Buccaneers fired head coach Tony Dungy after they finished third in the NFC Central with a 9–7 record and lost to the Eagles for the second straight year in the playoffs. New head coach Jon Gruden retained defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and defensive backs coach Mike Tomlin. He also retained Lynch and Dexter Jackson as the starting safeties alongside cornerbacks Ronde Barber and Brian Kelly. During Week 7, Lynch collected a season-high eight combined tackles during a 20–10 road loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. In the next game, he recorded three combined tackles, deflected three passes, and made two interceptions in a 12–9 road victory over the Carolina Panthers. Lynch intercepted both passes off Panthers quarterback Randy Fasani. Lynch finished the 2002 season with 64 combined tackles (41 solo), five pass deflections, and three interceptions in 15 games