Tom Brady is no longer around to haunt the NFL playoffs. The 22-year veteran announced his official retirement from the sport Tuesday, three days after reports leaked that he’d step away from the game at age 44.
His decision will be felt across the league, but its impact leaves a behind a crater with the only franchise he mentioned in his 700+ word retirement announcement: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Brady’s arrival presaged a new era of success in Florida. The legendary quarterback showed up and not only delivered the Bucs’ first playoff win since 2002 but also their second-ever Super Bowl victory. The stability he brought behind center made Tampa a juggernaut; their 24 wins with Brady at the helm are the most-ever in a two-year span in franchise history.
Now he’s gone, off to a world of branding opportunities and lucrative speaking engagements. Writers can no longer pencil in “BUCS” when making their preseason NFC South champion predictions. Tampa Bay will return much of 2020’s championship roster, but now has to fill the most important position in the game.
Here are head coach Bruce Arians’ options.