The biggest question surrounding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason, as in years past, is what to do with quarterback Jameis Winston. The 2015 number one overall pick has failed to live up to expectations in Tampa, but a 5,000-plus yard passing season in 2019 has some fans clamoring for his return. Then again, Winston also threw 30 interceptions, becoming the first QB in league history to throw for at least 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in a season.
Head coach Bruce Arians seemed to indicate last week at the NFL Scouting Combine that he and the team know what they are doing at the quarterback position, they just haven’t let anyone else in on the secret, including Winston.
Regardless of who is under center for the Bucs in 2020, the quarterback will have plenty to work with thanks to Pro Bowl receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, both of whom eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark last season, despite missing the final weeks of the season due to separate hamstring injuries.
While Evans has made a career out of posting 1,000-yard seasons, literally, it was the first one for Godwin, the third-year receiver out of Penn State. He was so impressive in fact, that Adam Rank of NFL.com had Godwin on his list of untradeable players.
Per Rank:
“There are times I might be blinded by a player’s fantasy appeal, and this might one of those times. Still, it feels like Godwin, 24, is the next great NFL receiver after he recorded 86 receptions, which was tied for the third highest total in club history, outpacing three-time Pro Bowler Mike Evans in catches, yards and touchdowns in 2019. Godwin is just getting started with coach Bruce Arians, as well, so that has to be noted. The quarterback position is obviously in flux, with Jameis Winston — fresh off LASIK surgery — headed for free agency. But the team could also be in the mix for veterans such as Brady and Philip Rivers, and one thing most people would find attractive about playing in Tampa Bay would be Godwin’s presence. And Evans’. And those new uniforms. But mostly Godwin.
There’s Tom Brady’s name again linking him to the Bucs. As I wrote about yesterday, the NFL should be hoping Brady goes to Tampa Bay because of the star power the NFC South would have at quarterback. Plus, Brady loves tight ends and O.J. Howard is looking for a little redemption of his own.
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