A New Big Board At One Buc
January 27th, 2022
Bucs GM Jason Licht
BY IRA KAUFMAN
JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman is The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports. All his work is presented by Bill Currie Ford, home of the nationwide lifetime warranty on new AND used vehicles. Ira is well known for his long list of sources and contacts, his iconic podcast, and the way he mauls a buffet.
Behind closed doors at One Buc Place, they’re talking about Door No. 2.
You can bet Jason Licht, Bruce Arians and, most importantly, the Glazers are fixated on the next Buc under center should Tom Brady call it a day.
This franchise can’t afford to be caught flat-footed at the game’s most important position, so plans are being formulated if No. 12 decides to end a career like no other.
Brady can end the speculation with a declaration of his intentions, but that might not come for another month or two. The Bucs won’t wait that long.
That’s because if Brady retires, his immediate replacement isn’t on the current Buc roster.
No matter how many plaudits Arians sends his way, Blaine Gabbert remains an NFL backup for a reason. The challenge of forming a dynamic marketing campaign this summer with Kyle Trask as Tampa Bay’s starting quarterback should send shivers down the backs of the Glazer brothers.
That’s not going to happen.
This is not the time for a rebuild. This is not 2009. This is a 14-5 team poised to dominate the NFC South for a while — depending on the quarterback.
Should Brady retire, the answer won’t be found in the 2022 draft. It’s a weak group of quarterback prospects and Tampa Bay lacks the resources to vault up the board.
The most alluring veterans — Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson — would have to be acquired via trade. The unrestricted free-agent market isn’t particularly enticing, led by Teddy Bridgewater, Andy Dalton, Cam Newton and yes, Jameis Winston.
There’s a chance Baker Mayfield, Kirk Cousins, Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo or Nick Foles will be made available. Can you picture any of those faces on a wall outside Raymond James Stadium, stopping traffic along Dale Mabry?
A Crossroad … For Everyone
If this quarterback situation goes sideways in the next few months, the entire organization could look far different. If Brady departs and the Bucs don’t land a veteran, Arians could well decide to pick up his golf bag and head to that Georgia lake house for good.
Rob Gronkowski is likely to follow Brady out the door … whenever that day may be.
Bucco Bruce Arians
Tampa Bay’s quarterback situation will be a major factor in attracting impact free agents in March. You can bet potential Buc free agents Chris Godwin and Leonard Fournette have a keen interest in the quarterback depth chart.
After two years of great success on the field and at the turnstile, ownership isn’t ready to start over. The Glazers have grown accustomed to this franchise being in the national spotlight, so their motto at the moment is simple: beware of darkness.
They remember what it was like during that 13-year playoff drought, when the value of the franchise went up steadily, fan interest plunged and head coaches came and went with dizzying frequency.
If Brady returns, the Arians-led Bucs figure to be serious contenders in 2022. But until Brady channels his inner Arnold Schwarzenegger and declares “I’ll Be Back,” Buc Nation has every reason to sweat.
Other teams like the Steelers, Broncos and Panthers are in the market for a new quarterback, so there’s a possibility of a bidding war.
Whatever happens, Buc fans will be eternally grateful to Brady. He stepped out from behind Door No. 2 and promptly drove a forlorn franchise to No. 1.
If he returns, great. If he leaves, thanks for the memories.
Click on through to shop at BillCurrieFord.com.
Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is ready to help you PERSONALLY and give you the Ira Kaufman discount.
Just ask!
January 27th, 2022 at 4:09 pm
So why exactly did we draft Trask again?
January 27th, 2022 at 4:14 pm
Is going to be a nerve racking wait……
Really don´t know the cap situatiuon Joe and Ira……Do we have fire power to resign CG, Jensen, Lenny and Cappa? I would let Carlton Davis go if we are on a tide spot and draft a CB…I wouldn´t resign JPP and Suh only on a friendly contract….. Rojo OJ are probably gone…….
January 27th, 2022 at 4:14 pm
W/O Brady we are done for.
January 27th, 2022 at 4:16 pm
If Tom leaves Lefty leaves and more of the staff I believe a rebuild is in order. Face it if it wasn’t for Brady we would have been very lucky to be in the playoffs.
January 27th, 2022 at 4:16 pm
If Brady calls it quits, there will be a mass exodus of the free agents that made the Bucs champions. Thanks for the SB. Back to dark days.
January 27th, 2022 at 4:17 pm
Watson, hell no! If Rodgers leaves hes going to Denver hence they signed his OC. Mayfield and Wilson will stay. Carr or Cousins would keep us in the SB talk. The others blah
January 27th, 2022 at 4:18 pm
Now I’m no Gator fan, but I’m absolutely perplexed as to why we used a 2nd round draft pick on Kyle Trask and everybody, EVERYBODY, from the fans to the coaches to the media, pretend like he doesn’t exist or can’t be a good QB.
He wasn’t half bad at all at Florida, and has been behind the GOAT for an entire season. I’m not all in on the Trask Train but it’s crazy to me that nobody even mentions the dude, not even to say anything bad about him. He just doesn’t exist.
January 27th, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Trask should be starter if brady is gone. If not … trask and gay were a waste of draft picks that be couldve used in dline.
January 27th, 2022 at 4:30 pm
I like Trask and think he has good potential. But I guess this next season isn’t the time to test that. If Brady opts out (and i don’t think he will), I like Russell Wilson. Terrific competitor – and skilled. If will be an interesting time.
January 27th, 2022 at 4:30 pm
Let’s play this out, Roger’s won’t work the culture has already been changed to team first. If BA fails with Carr or Cousins his legacy takes a hit. The only winner that could lead the team is Wilson and $45-$50mil is a BIG number.
January 27th, 2022 at 4:48 pm
Suddenly Jason Licht is the most important person cashing a check from One Buc. This next few months would make for a great Hard Knocks, front office version.
January 27th, 2022 at 4:57 pm
Even if Brady comes back but retires next year the planning will pay off in the longer run. I am truly hopeful that Jason Licht under the directions from the Glazers can maintain the franchise as competitive and “perennial contenders” for many years to come.
Many of us will be Buccaneer fans long after Tom Brady retires. The rest will fade back into the woodwork as it were.
Go Bucs!
January 27th, 2022 at 5:04 pm
Rogers has demonstrated over time that even with his superior talent level he has been unable to win consistely in the post season. Also, unlike Tom Brady and other “Greats” before him, Rogers does not have a lot of fourth quarter comebacks to highlight his career.
Go Bucs!
January 27th, 2022 at 5:07 pm
I will guess that Trask has tangibly exhibited at the college level some intangibles that BA and JL like so they drafted him. Ya’ think?
January 27th, 2022 at 5:09 pm
Trask should be “after Brady area” no matter happen this year or next.
We are WRONG when we think that by bringing a veteran QB, we going to win SB again. No is not going to happen. At least with Trask we may have a future.
January 27th, 2022 at 5:19 pm
No thanks on Watson with his baggage.
Wilson would be a great addition. Rodgers is of course a huge talent but seems to be too much of a prima donna.
But even if they swing a trade, how can the Bucs afford either of those guys?
January 27th, 2022 at 5:26 pm
Others not on the team:
Derek Carr would be intriguing and most exciting…
Never thought about Andy Dalton, but yeah, with good coaching…
As for the others, Pass… each have one thing or another that just screams failure!
As for on the roster, with the wealth of qb coaches and experience, Trask should get his shot to sink or swim.. IF he plays at the NFL level as well as he excelled at the college level, then the Bucs could be squandering his time to learn, grow and develop…
January 27th, 2022 at 5:28 pm
Minnesotabuc
Bingo. That’s what I would like to know too if that’s the case
January 27th, 2022 at 5:29 pm
@joe – you missed our quarterback of the future from the past – Mike Glennon from the list of free agents 😆😆😆
January 27th, 2022 at 5:29 pm
@joe – you missed our quarterback of the future from the past – Mike Glennon from the list of free agents 😆😆😆😆
January 27th, 2022 at 5:37 pm
Rodgers is either a Packer or a bronco. Slight possibility he’s a Steeler. Wilson is interesting but very expensive. We can afford nearly anything we’d want. It’s called kicking the can down the road. Greenberg and company have slightly changed their method in the front office to accommodate that since Tom came on board. If the owners want to continue to win they will do this until they can’t. New Orleans did it for how many years until they’ve reached their current cap hell?
January 27th, 2022 at 5:55 pm
If Brady quits, there isn’t much exciting to go after, if you want a proven QB. Of the big names, Wilson is the only standout. Rodgers gets any team gaudy stats and a winning regular season, then uncertainty. Jimmy G, a frail jittery regular season game manager.
Otherwise, phew. How bad is Kyle Trask, really? Does a top QB in the draft become a necessity? Any of the other FA veterans would be disappointing placeholders on a .500 or less team.
January 27th, 2022 at 6:16 pm
Everybody is sleeping on Trask. Same body as Josh Allen and nice touch on the ball. You can bet your @ss the QB gurus throughout the staff want to see what they got in our 2nd round pick.
January 27th, 2022 at 6:30 pm
I was surprised with the Trask pick as from my perspective the two greatest needs after the first round were CB and OT. I said that over and over on draft night, that those should have been the second and third round picks. And wouldn’t you know, the lack of talent at both positions ended up biting the Bucs in the posterior.
Maybe Trask will prove me wrong, but I just don’t see him as a second year starter, let alone a future franchise QB. Maybe he’ll make a huge jump, but my money would bet against it.
January 27th, 2022 at 6:35 pm
Hate to say it ,but; Trask may be trade bait ?/
January 27th, 2022 at 6:58 pm
Posey99, same body as Josh Allen? However, Josh Allen can not only avoid the rush, but is a threat to take it the distance when he tucks and runs. Trask? Not so much!
January 27th, 2022 at 7:13 pm
The 49rs are winning with Jimmy G. Obviously a great quarterback isn’t necessary if you have a great defense and a good running game.
January 27th, 2022 at 7:13 pm
A rookie QB is not going to give a shot at the sb that’s why they are looking to sign a veteran if Brady doesnt come back not hard concept to understand they may see Trask as the future but not for the upcoming season with the window open for a sb still
January 27th, 2022 at 7:33 pm
Of your pro-offered candidates I would take Derek Carr.
January 27th, 2022 at 7:36 pm
I’m not worried about Trask, or Gabbert starting. Aside from Matt Ryan there isn’t a good QB in our whole division next year. Plus the Daints just lost Payton. You can build a good team when you’re paying Gabbert, or Trask. I wouldn’t shell out big money to the likes of a David Carr. Trask had great year with the Gators, you see this year without him how bad they were? Coach got fired. Don’t panic kids, we can win the division next season with a losing record, and still host wildcard weekend.
January 27th, 2022 at 8:10 pm
So they admit that they waste a 2nd round pick instead of reinforce the defense? And the 3rd, the 4th, the 5th…
January 27th, 2022 at 8:13 pm
“Posey99, same body as Josh Allen? However, Josh Allen can not only avoid the rush, but is a threat to take it the distance when he tucks and runs. Trask? Not so much!“
My point here is that we don’t know what we have until he plays. Not that he’s the next great rushing QB. College vs college you can argue who was better. Many people smarter then us have compared him to Andrew luck. Maybe he’s not, but assuming he’s not, isn’t very wise.
January 27th, 2022 at 8:20 pm
I’d rather be in this situation with Kyle Trask with his college resume….
We could have been stuck with Kellen Mond or Davis Mills… HOPELESS!
January 27th, 2022 at 8:31 pm
If we couldn’t get Wilson, I’d try to resign Jameis. No way on Watson, too much baggage and he is slightly less trouble than AB. Of course Rodgers would be ideal but I don’t seeing it happening. And no Gabbert and Trask don’t have the tools to get us to the playoffs. I hate to say it but we will probably end up with Carr or Dalton….☹️
January 27th, 2022 at 8:55 pm
Aaron Rodgers!!!!!
January 27th, 2022 at 8:58 pm
“Resign Jameis” haha
Thanks I needed a good laugh. If you didn’t get your fill with all the picks he handed to other teams he’s now coming off a torn ACL as well. I’d take Ryan Griffin over that bum.
January 27th, 2022 at 9:54 pm
Trask is great you’ll 👀
January 27th, 2022 at 10:28 pm
THANKS, TODD!
January 27th, 2022 at 10:38 pm
*** Sorry if Brad’s leaves…Watson is the best choice! This is a 2 trick pony QB league…Allen, Burrow and Mahomes are showing us the new era. We get another stand still QB…we gonna be yet again at a pass rushes mercy. We can’t afford Rodgers or Wilson …prob not Watson either….ok…we’re doomed!!!
January 27th, 2022 at 10:46 pm
Fffffsssshhhhhhh…………………….
Aaaarrrrgggghhhh
January 27th, 2022 at 10:52 pm
Give Brady at least the Offensive coach job, his wife would be happy. You know that his wife is mad at Belichick barking Tom in front of the players.
January 27th, 2022 at 11:47 pm
That leaky secondary will return too!
January 28th, 2022 at 3:05 am
Ira could not agree more with your last sentence.
If he returns, great. I hope he does come back for one last ride. I really do.
If he leaves, thanks for the memories. Definitely one of the most heartfelt THANK YOU. We needed those 2 years, with everything else that is going on in the world, as an escape. And they will never be forgotten.
Go Bucs
January 28th, 2022 at 5:37 am
If Brady retires. Please don’t. Lol. But if he does I say we go get Russel Wilson. The guy is whodenny back there. When our Oline breaks down Russel can escape and still throw a dime on the run. Russ makes plays happen when everything breaks down. There was def more than a handful of times Brady needed to escape the pocket and couldn’t cause he’s not the fastest. Russ can do this and throw a dime while avoiding rushers.
January 28th, 2022 at 9:50 am
I could live with Cousins or Carr. Not worth trading for any of the others given the high price.
January 28th, 2022 at 9:31 pm
The Bucs due to their high risk investment are OBLIGATED “on the hook” to give Trask a shot if Brady retires..that’s why was drafted ..he wouldn’t of been if Gabbert was viewed as being better 💯
January 28th, 2022 at 9:32 pm
why he was drafted*
January 28th, 2022 at 9:33 pm
The Bucs due to their high risk investment are OBLIGATED “on the hook” to give Trask a shot if Brady retires..that’s why he was drafted ..he wouldn’t of been if Gabbert was viewed as being better 💯
January 28th, 2022 at 11:04 pm
If and when Brady retiries this is still a good football team. But it’s time to get better now for the future. Pass the torch to Byron. Much of the success over the last two years is due to the coordinators. Why let the head coach of the future walk out the door now to have Bruce stick around for another year. Build on a great O-line, maintain a strong receiving core, and focus on a improving the neglected running game and shallow secondary. This team can still be a contender with a decent qb if they improve elsewhere.
January 28th, 2022 at 11:24 pm
Brady’s gone He just did Man in the Arena and he has one more episode. It’s the Goodbye. All we can do is wait and see but I don’t see any QB Veteran Big$$$ Coming here
January 28th, 2022 at 11:39 pm
Deshaun Watson could keep the Bucs in the mix in the NFC for 10 years AND be very entertaining. He hasn’t be found guilty of any crimes.