While the Buccaneers have their sights set on a championship this season, the New England Patriots, for the first time in decades, face the stark reality of life without quarterback Tom Brady.
The six-time Super Bowl champion bid farewell to the only team and coach he’d known his entire NFL career, opting instead to begin a new chapter in his post-40 life, taking his talents to the Sunshine State to try and bring respectability back to the Buccaneers.
And with an offense that includes Pro Bowl receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, as well as newly acquired tight end Rob Gronkowski, the Bucs could be in great shape to make a return to the postseason for the first time since 2007.
As for the Patriots, championship expectations seem like a pipe dream at the moment. While veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer signed with the Patriots this offseason, it seems the team and head coach Bill Belichick are prepared to enter the 2020 season with 2019 fourth-round pick Jarrett Stidham under center.
And while many people believe the Pats will struggle without Brady, the below stat shows they’ve had success in the past without him.
Take a look.
Teams with the highest win pct in the NFL since Tom Brady's first start in Week 3, 2001:
1. @Patriots With Brady .774
2. Patriots Without Brady .684
3. @steelers .650
4. @packers .619
5. @Colts .613 https://t.co/2cHY2lJzTq— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) May 8, 2020
The Patriots famously went 11-5 in 2008 after Brady went down in Week 1 against the Chiefs with a torn ACL (though they missed the playoffs). Backup Matt Cassel, a former seventh-round pick, filled in and finished the year with 3,693 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also rushed for 270 yards and two scores. His solid year helped him earn a hefty contract from the Chiefs the following offseason.
That’s not to say Stidham will have the same success, but it shows that the Patriots organization is built to withstand the loss of any player, even its quarterback.
[lawrence-related id=32364,32356,32349,32322]