It’s Super Bowl or bust for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season, a statement that would’ve sounded outrageous a year ago. But when you sign a six-time Super Bowl champion, and arguably the greatest quarterback to ever lace up a pair of cleats, championship expectations become the norm.
The Bucs finished 7-9 last season, but clearly have the talent and drive to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2007. It won’t be an easy road to the playoffs, as the Bucs will have to contend with tough divisional opponents in the NFC South on top of a schedule that includes matchups against the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams.
But Dan Hanzus over at NFL.com believes Brady is the savior the Bucs have been looking for, which is why he predicted Brady to be the Bucs’ MVP in 2020.
Per Hanzus:
“I will readily admit I’ve been consumed by the hype. We have significant circumstantial evidence, from both last season and the season before, that Brady — set to turn 43 in about six weeks — is in the midst of a gradual and irreversible decline. And yet … and yet! … I can’t help but buy into the setup in Tampa. A vastly improved supporting cast (including Gronk!), a proven offensive mind and veteran QB whisperer in head coach Bruce Arians, and yes, that impossible-to-measure competitive fire that rages inside the old man. They can spin it along Patriot Place all they please, but Tom Brady was booted out of town. Even if I’m wrong (I’m not), you know Brady’s mindset is tuned that way. Bill doesn’t think he needs me. Bill believes he already got the best of me. Bill thinks he’s better off with … JARRETT STIDHAM. I must destroy everything and everyone.”
It’s no surprise that Hanzus picked Brady as the Bucs’ MVP. If that competitive fire in Brady rages like we all believe, then the Bucs could take the league by storm this season. Getting Tampa Bay back to the playoffs would be a huge win for Brady, especially if the Bucs make it and the Patriots don’t.
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