When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers woke up on Tuesday morning, they could comfortably expect to contend for another Lombardi Trophy in 2022-23. At least, that’s what oddsmakers were telling them.
At +1300, Tampa Bay had the fourth-shortest odds at Tipico Sportsbook to win Super Bowl 57—behind only this year’s final four of the Buffalo Bills (+650), Kansas City Chiefs (+650), Los Angeles Rams (+1200) and tied with the Cincinnati Bengals and San Francisco 49ers.
Then Tom Brady retired (officially, like for real this time). No question about it. Brady wrote a lengthy Instagram post and all declaring his time in the NFL was over.
And, amazingly, Bucs futures haven’t moved an inch.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZcDCOOr-v4/
Tampa Bay’s odds to win Super Bowl 57 remained among the shortest in the NFL. Similarly, the Bucs’ odds to win the NFC held steady +550.
There are a few reasons bettors might not be ready to give up on Tampa Bay as a contender. For starters, it’s not like Brady is taking the rest of the team with him into retirement. A star-studded wideout corps led by Mike Evans and Chris Godwin remains in place. So does a terrifying defense anchored by Vita Vea, Lavonte David and Shaquil Barrett.
The Bucs may not even have to struggle to find a suitable replacement for Brady. This year’s quarterback carousel could see a number of high profile names moved with Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan and Jimmy Garoppolo among those expected to hit the trade block.
Even as Brady calls it a career, Tampa Bay should remain a powerhouse in the NFC. Oddsmakers don’t expect anything less.
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