Tag: rivers bucs

Bill Barnwell predicts two former Chargers could find their way to the Bucs

See why ESPN’s Bill Barnwell believes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could lure two former Chargers stars to the team.

With the entire NFL turning their attention now to the 2020 season, teams are preparing for the NFL Scouting Combine at the end of the month and the start of free agency next month.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have several big-name free agents who can hit the open market, so the front office needs to be wise about where they spend their money. Bringing back the league leader in sacks from 2019, Shaq Barrett, is a good place to start, but what about the quarterback position?

It’s no secret that Jameis Winston has failed to live up to expectations during his five years in Tampa. The question now is whether or not the Bucs want to invest one more season in the former Heisman Trophy winner. Tampa Bay may very well be seeking a short-term deal with Winston, possibly even just one year. Winston, meanwhile, is likely hoping to get some long-term security.

Perhaps it is because of this standoff and uncertainty that Bill Barnwell of ESPN, in his 2020 free agency predictions and the dominoes that could fall, thinks the Bucs may very well end up investing in veteran Philip Rivers, with a three-year, $90 million deal.

Per Barnwell:

“It warms my heart to see Rivers and Bruce Arians come together for one ride into the sunset. It’s a great fit for both player and scheme, as both would throw the ball vertically every play if they could. This deal has minimal guaranteed money after 2020, freeing up the Bucs to pursue another quarterback in 2021 if it doesn’t work out.”

Is Rivers really that big of an upgrade over Winston, though? He does have playoff experience, but he throws interceptions almost as often as Winston.

And, Barnwell thinks that if the Bucs manage to land Rivers, they could try and bring in Chargers running back Melvin Gordon, Rivers’ old teammate, on a four-year, $36 million deal.

“If Bruce Arians tries to bring in Philip Rivers to play quarterback, the second-year coach might consider adding Rivers’ former teammate to play alongside him in the backfield, too. Gordon would be an upgrade on Ronald Jones and the sort of receiving back Arians hasn’t had since David Johnson’s breakout year in 2016.”

Now if Rivers and Gordon came as a packaged deal, I think Bucs fans everywhere would be willing to go along for the ride.
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The Bucs’ interest in Philip Rivers seems legitimate

Could the Tampa Bay Buccaneers actually turn to veteran Philip Rivers to be their quarterback in 2020?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be on the cusp on making a return to the postseason, somewhere they haven’t been since 2007.

Despite finishing only 7-9, Tampa Bay went on a surge in the second half of the season after a 3-7 start. The biggest story of the year was, of course, the play of quarterback Jameis Winston, who captivated the league with his exciting, yet turnover-filled play. The former Heisman Trophy winner threw for over 5,000 yards, but also became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw at least 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in a season.

Tampa Bay is still deciding whether or not to bring Winston back in 2020. One name that has been floated around as a possible replacement for Winston is former Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who recently moved his entire family out of their San Diego home and to Florida.

And, according to ESPN reporter Jenna Laine, the Bucs’ interest in Rivers seems legit.

Per Laine:

“The Philip Rivers rumors aren’t circulating just because Rivers and his family moved to Florida. League sources say the Bucs’ interest in the eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback is legitimate, although Rivers has been plagued by many of the same issues that Winston has — interceptions. He has thrown 198 picks since 2004, third most of any player in that span. He also has thrown the second-most interceptions over the past five seasons (76), behind only Winston’s 88.”

Rivers does throw picks, but he’s proven he can get his team into the playoffs and even win. He’s a veteran and experienced quarterback who would definitely bring some swagger and confidence to that Bucs locker room.

But again, I’d feel more confident in Winston leading the Bucs in 2020 than Rivers, simply because it will be Winston’s second year in Arians’ system. I don’t think the Bucs or Arians want to go through another season of trying to get a quarterback comfortable in the offense.

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