Peter King thinks this team could be a ‘sleeping giant’ for Tom Brady

Few are talking about this team in connection with Tom Brady.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady may have a few free-agency suitors, who aren’t the most obvious option. And the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are among the strongest candidates in the NFL even if they’re not getting the recognition as such. That’s, in part, because the team can retain quarterback Jameis Winston, who had a wild 30-touchdown and 30-interception season.

Winston is eligible for an extension or for the franchise tag. But perhaps Tamp Bay would part ways with him and pursue a veteran like Brady.

“The one I believe is the sleeping giant in this is Tampa Bay,” King said. “And, when I say that, if Jameis Winston is realistic with what his contract demands are, in my opinion, he’ll be the quarterback of the Bucs next year. But, I don’t know that, I’m hearing some things out of Tampa that he might want a little bit more money than the Bucs wanna pay. And we’ll see if that pans out. ”

King added: “They got a pretty good offensive line, and they’ve got two excellent receivers (Chris Godwin and Mike Evans). They’ve got a really good, young tight end (O.J. Howard). And they’ve got a very imaginative head coach (Bruce Arians) and offensive coordinator in the passing game. So, I can’t tell you absolutely what they would do, or what they’re going to do. But I can tell you that they’re fascinating, to me. … When I think about Tampa Bay and Tom Brady, it makes as much sense to me as any of these other teams out here with the possible exception of the Chargers.”

There is some question as to how Brady might fit into Arians system, but King’s point about the surrounding talent is a strong one. Brady would probably love the look of the roster on offense, with no shortage of playmakers at every position except running back, which (in theory) is a solvable problem with so many talented backs entering free agency. Arians, meanwhile, would be relieved to have a quarterback who takes care of the ball after Winston’s turnover-heavy season.

If Brady and the Patriots do not come to an extension agreement, the Buccaneers may just emerge as a strong candidate for Brady in free agency.

[vertical-gallery id=77566]