Tag: brady buccaneers

ESPN looks at what a Bucs offer to QB Tom Brady might look like

See what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could wind up offering QB Tom Brady in free agency.

March 18, 2020 marks the new league year for the NFL and the start of free agency. This year’s class of free agents will include future Hall of Fame QBs Philip Rivers and Tom Brady, something most people probably thought they’d never see happen.

Brady, a six-time Super Bowl champion, has been linked to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and for good reason. A pair of young 1,000-yard receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin offers Brady a chance at an elite passing attack. Plus, the Bucs’ young defense is making major strides under defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, so the postseason is more than realistic for this team in 2020.

ESPN put together four hypothetical offers from teams Brady could easily end up signing with, and Tampa Bay was one of the four teams on the list.

Courtesy of ESPN

Here’s what Jenna Laine had to say about the Bucs and Brady.

Per Laine:

“Winning isn’t what’s going to lure Brady to Tampa — it’s the idea of a challenge. The Bucs haven’t been to the postseason since 2007 and have put together two winning seasons in the past decade. But they have something Brady hasn’t enjoyed since 2011 (or 2009, if you’re talking strictly receivers not including Rob Gronkowski): two 1,100-yard Pro Bowl receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The Bucs have more than $81 million in cap space — fourth most in the NFL — to improve a roster that just went 7-9 with Jameis Winston throwing 30 interceptions. And there’s no state income tax, so it’s an ideal retirement destination.”

Again, I don’t think we talk about that no-state-income-tax benefit enough. Plus, Laine points out the appeal Bruce Arians offers as a head coach, especially when you consider his personality compared to that of Patriots coach Bill Belichick.

“Brady has also never had a head coach like Bruce Arians, who wants to drink beers in the parking lot after games (he’s still looking for a spot to do this). There might not be a more fun coach to play for than Arians.”

If Brady does come to the NFC South, the NFL would be in ratings heaven  next season.

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Why the NFL should be hoping Tom Brady signs with the Buccaneers

If the NFL wants to increase its ratings, they should be hoping Tom Brady signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

With NFL free agency set to hit later this month, all eyes will likely be on New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who could very well end up leaving the only franchise he’s ever played for.

Speculation has run rampant on where Brady could end up. From the Los Angeles Chargers to the Las Vegas Raiders, it appears every team in need of a QB upgrade finds themselves on the list of potential suitors. That includes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who right now seem like more than just a dark horse contender in the Brady sweepstakes.

While it may be hard to envision Brady ditching a Pats uniform for a Bucs one — given that Tampa Bay hasn’t made the postseason since 2007 — if you are a fan of the NFL, or even a fan of football, you want this to happen. And now.

Why?

Every NFC South divisional game featuring the Bucs would be a must-watch prime-time event. Brady and the Bucs facing Drew Brees and the Saints in the Superdome. Brady and the Bucs hosting Matt Ryan’s Atlanta Falcons, a rematch of Super Bowl LI QBs. And, should Cam Newton remain starter with the Carolina Panthers, well, you get the idea…

The NFC South would instantly become the best division in football hands down. The NFL would have a ratings bonanza every time NFC South foes squared off. Vegas sportsbooks would be wild scenes. It just makes so much sense that you’re afraid it’s too good to be true. And, it might be.

But, until Brady puts pen to paper for a team not located in Tampa, it’s fun to dream about how exciting the 2020 NFL season could truly be if he came to the NFC South.

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ESPN says QB Tom Brady is the one free agent the Bucs ‘must sign’ this offseason

See why ESPN thinks quarterback Tom Brady could very well end up in Tampa Bay this offseason if he decides to leave the Patriots.

At this time last year, quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots were on top of the NFL world as Super Bowl champions (again). After defeating the Los Angeles Rams in a less-than-thrilling Super Bowl LIII, Brady further cemented his legacy as the best quarterback to ever play the game by capturing his sixth Lombardi Trophy.

But, oh, what a difference a year makes.

With the retirement of tight end Rob Gronkowski and Brady starting to show his age, the Patriots’ 2019 season ended with a stunning home loss in the divisional round to the Tennessee Titans. Now, the unthinkable could be upon us, as Brady is set to hit free agency and it’s beginning to look more and more likely that he could be playing elsewhere next year.

So, where could he wind up?

Well, according to ESPN, the Buccaneers look like an intriguing destination for the future Hall of Famer. In their latest article listing one “must sign” free agent for each NFL team this offseason, ESPN had Brady pegged as the can’t-miss quarterback for the Bucs.

“Brady wasn’t the same Brady last season as the one we have all grown used to seeing, but his 79.0 overall grade still ranked 12th at quarterback. The big problem was the Patriots’ lack of playmakers on offense. A one-two punch of Chris Godwin and Mike Evans has to sound pretty intriguing to Brady as he considers where his career will end, as both guys were top-10 wide receivers by PFF grade during the 2019 season. The Buccaneers have the cap space to make it work, and a much-improved defense with Brady orchestrating a talented offense could have the Bucs as legitimate contenders in 2020.”

Not only would Brady benefit from playing with Evans and Godwin, but he could easily help revive the career of tight end O.J. Howard. Remember, the Patriots inquired about Howard at the trade deadline but were told “no” by the Bucs. Imagine bringing Brady to Tampa Bay and teaming him with this offense?

Be still, my heart…

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