Even though Tom Brady hasn’t thrown a single pass yet for the Buccaneers, there’s already talk about who Tampa Bay should take in this week’s NFL draft to groom as Tom Terrific’s successor.
Many scouts and draft experts seem to think that quarterback Jacob Eason is a perfect fit in Tampa Bay. As one AFC exec said, “He’s perfect for a Bruce Arians offense in Tampa. He could sit in the pocket and throw downfield. They could develop him for a few years behind [Tom] Brady.”
As great a compliment as it may seem, it’s also the exact reason why the Buccaneers should hold off on drafting a potential heir-apparent until at least the 2021 draft. If Eason is as tailor-made for a Bruce Arians-style offense as people believe, then the Bucs better be sure Arians is around for the long term.
The #Bucs are signing Bruce Arians to a 4-year deal with a fifth-yaer option, source said. Among the coaches Arians hopes to finalize deals with: Harold Goodwin as Run Game Coordinator/OLine, Byron Leftwich as Pass Game Coordinator and Clyde Christianson as QB coach.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 8, 2019
Arians has has had some notable health issues in the past and even retired from football for a year before taking the Bucs job. With Brady signing a two-year deal with Tampa Bay, you get the feeling that Arians is banking on those two years to perhaps be his last. Being part of a rebuild doesn’t sound like it’s in the cards. So, if you take a quarterback that seems perfect for Arians’ system, what guarantee is there that the next head coach will run the same type of offense?
Tampa Bay should just go into the season with the quarterbacks they have on their roster right now. It may seem risky not taking a potential successor in this year’s draft, but it’s no riskier than signing a 42-year-old to be your quarterback.
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