Bucs Let Tom Brady Know He’s Wanted; Bucs Also Doing “Extensive Homework” On Deshaun Watson
February 13th, 2022
“I hope I can meet with you on Thursday Mr. Glazer. I’m awfully busy this week.”
Good morning, Bucs fans!
If for some odd reason you haven’t had your morning jolt of caffeine yet, this will work (but won’t help with your caffeine-withdrawal headaches).
All sorts of quarterback news this morning. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Bucs have made it known to former (?) quarterback Tom Brady that they will leave a placemat for him at the dinner table to resume his quarterback duties as long as they can, so long as he needs time.
Rapoport claims Brady has privately been waffling about whether to return to the playing field.
Reading this, Joe’s first thought was the Bucs are (tentatively) going with Blaine Gabbert hoping Brady changes his mind. That way if Brady, say in August, wants to return, no harm no foul. The Bucs could in theory wait for Brady until Labor Day if Gabbert is on the roster.
Currently, Gabbert has no contract for 2022.
If Brady gives the Bucs vibes he may come back, the Bucs could go with Gabbert as the No. 1 quarterback and if Brady doesn’t return, Gabbert stays there. If Brady returns, step aside Gabbert.
But wait, there is more! In case Brady gives the Bucs a firm answer he’s staying retired, Tom Pelissero in the same report said the Bucs are doing “extensive homework on estranged” Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.
So it sure smells like if Brady does stay retired, the Bucs are looking to go big-game hunting.
Just think of Brady coming back and how absolutely stoked and motivated his teammates would be to have him back? Wow!
You can see both Rapoport and Pelissero’s reports in the NFL Network video below.
The @NFLGameDay Notebook with @MikeGarafolo & @TomPelissero: The #Bucs made it clear they want Tom Brady back; If Brady does retire, Tampa Bay will swing big on a QB; #Seahawks have shown no desire to trade Russell Wilson; The #Packers are willing to ante up for Aaron Rodgers. pic.twitter.com/ZIKvBAMNfl
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 13, 2022
February 13th, 2022 at 11:34 am
Brady is NOT coming back!!! Time to move on!
February 13th, 2022 at 11:37 am
Watson!! Really??? He may not even be able to play for a year and with his legal problem where will his head be? Most likely not on football.
February 13th, 2022 at 11:38 am
My eyes are bleeding.
February 13th, 2022 at 11:40 am
D. Watson and A. Brown would be a match. As long as the bail does not exceed the caps.
February 13th, 2022 at 11:44 am
I need Tom to come back just to get his Creamsicle jersey
February 13th, 2022 at 11:45 am
If the GOAT wanted attention drama, he’s got it.
I get the disappointment. I understand the itch. Oh boy, do I understand the itch.
But if Brady wants back, it needs to be before the draft, otherwise, the team may use its draft capital on other current needs, including QB.
I suspect if Brady returns—I’d be excited if he does—the draft would look entirely different than if he doesn’t.
PLUS, a year for Trask development, not a redshirt year. A game-day active roster year, taking real reps in practice.
February 13th, 2022 at 11:46 am
Am sure during the “extensive homework” the Bucs will consult with a variety of lawyers both locally and in Texas.
February 13th, 2022 at 11:47 am
Yes, exactly!!!
February 13th, 2022 at 11:49 am
LO, the more research you do on Watson, the worse he looks for any team!
Wilson is not going anywhere either, according to him.
I do not accept the narrative that we are a Super Bowl Team, who only need a QB.
We could not get to the Super Bowl with Brady and a much easier schedule, so what makes people think with a decent QB, we are a super bowl team ?
I still think we can be a competitive team, maybe even a division champion, but no way this team is going to the super bowl next year, even IF Brady were to return.
February 13th, 2022 at 11:50 am
D-wat is a good spooger. Ask the 20 or so ladies he showed proof of his talent
February 13th, 2022 at 11:50 am
The Watson situation is interesting. His contract is a problem – $40.4 million next season which is more than the Bucs will have to spend.
He will have to agree to a major contract restructure if this is ever going to happen.
Plus the Bucs will be giving up several high draft picks possibly for multiple seasons…
But I would love to see Watson operate this offense.
February 13th, 2022 at 11:57 am
Chances of brady coming back like 1%
He is a straight shooter. He loves his teammates…respects coaches and has a really good bond with jason licht. Pretty sure he will not be dishonest about his future endeavors and if he really wanted out which i doubt
February 13th, 2022 at 12:00 pm
@Marine: If Watson is QB, the OL changes. While Brady was a statue, Watson is not, so the blocking schemes are a little different, and would not have to hold their blocks as long.
I am not a huge fan of scrambling QB’s, but Watson has something special. He reminds me of a chocolate Rodgers in many respects.
February 13th, 2022 at 12:03 pm
Watson is best available QB in NFL assuming 5 year contract. AR has 2 season but could win a SB in Tampa.
Tom was clearly very angry about he retired in week and unretired in a week
February 13th, 2022 at 12:04 pm
I love the drama 🎭 Brady will be back
February 13th, 2022 at 12:04 pm
If you research Watson and what has occurred legal wise recently and see the leaked failed settlement, the guy is beyond a AB for off the field.
February 13th, 2022 at 12:07 pm
@ Cobra
Agreed. Watson would bring a few new twists to the offense and mobility is one of them.
Plus Watson’s arm strength is amazing.
Very few QBs can spin it like that guy can…
February 13th, 2022 at 12:12 pm
Chris@applecleaning,
Did you see all of our injuries?? You mean to tell me with a healthy team we are not a Super Bowl team with Brady? Love your enthusiasm! I swear some comments should be kept to themselves.
February 13th, 2022 at 12:13 pm
Does homework really matter, 20 plus women with accusations. Tom Brady was a great QB with impeccable character, and what kind of example for the face of the franchise. This guy makes Jameis Winston look like an alter boy.
February 13th, 2022 at 12:14 pm
Interesting that Tom Brady didn’t want to be a distraction during this Super Bowl period, and that’s exactly what he’s become. Got a suspicion that more Americans could tell you about his retirement than are knowledgable about who’s playing in the Super Bowl this evening.
It’s nice that the Bucs hold the 2022 rights to Tom Brady, but I can’t see him playing for Tampa Bay UNLESS he believes we’ve got a team that can compete for the Super Bowl.
Right now, at this moment in time, we’ve got a decent team nucleus, but we’re not SB-competitive IMO. Too many starting holes to fix, not to mention needing more key rotational players AND better depth. Could we BUILD a SB-competitive TEAM before the season starts? Personally think that we COULD, but there’s very little room for error.
For example, sign a super-expensive QB & we wouldn’t be able to afford the rest of the ‘groceries’ to make us competitive. BUT … IF that QB is Tom Brady, we’re in luck; his 2022 salary is already included in our salary CAP numbers.
So my preference is to go into Training Camp with Trask/ Gabbert as our QBs (a 3rd albeit inexpensive competitor would be nice), and spend our money on fixing our starting lineup, signing some key rotational & backup guys, draft smart, and HOPE that entices Tom Brady to come back maybe in August. Of course, since he’s retired, he could afford to play the waiting game literally forever. Bummer.
February 13th, 2022 at 12:17 pm
Deshaun Watson is garbage. He’s a predator. He’s nasty and gross.
February 13th, 2022 at 12:18 pm
Cobraboy … ‘He (Watson) reminds me of a chocolate Rodgers in many respects.’
Oh wow. You just left me shaking my head Cobra. I’d say that allbuccedup is right though; Watson makes Jameis look like an altar boy. Pass.
February 13th, 2022 at 12:22 pm
Watson is talented so he probably will not get convicted of anything but is going to be a lot more expensive as Brady.
February 13th, 2022 at 12:22 pm
@ modhair
True. But can he win football games?
February 13th, 2022 at 12:23 pm
@DR: the player, not the person.
February 13th, 2022 at 12:25 pm
40 mil dollar cap hit!
February 13th, 2022 at 12:27 pm
Wow Cobra, surprised you let that one go Joe. Can anyone tell me what Watson has won except the trust of 22 niave young women? Even AB is laughing at this take.
February 13th, 2022 at 12:29 pm
Just keep Watson off of Kennedy Blvd. and he will be just fine!!
February 13th, 2022 at 12:31 pm
If we want to entice Brady to come out of retirement, then we need to sign some of our key free agents, like Godwin, Jensen, Cappa, and bring Cronk back. Brady will not come back to an uncompetitive team. Those decisions will need to be made in March, which can make signing a high dollar quarterback a real challenge. If we trade for Wilson or Watson, that will hinder the Bucs ability to sign our free agents. I say we pass on trading for an expensive quarterback and throw our money into making the team as strong as possible. If Brady comes back, great! If not, we’ll have a good team surrounding our next quarterback, be it Gabbert, Trask or some other free agent quarterback like Bridgewater or Trubisky.
February 13th, 2022 at 12:35 pm
Pick Watson and the Bucs are back to being irrelevant. POS person and as a player he’s accomplished nothing
February 13th, 2022 at 12:38 pm
Disclaimer: I was not a choirboy, nor was I a preditor. I never demanded a happy ending of a masseuse, never stole crab legs, never groped an Uber babe, never cornered a babe in a restroom, never dragged a babe by the hair out of an elevator, never whacked to pron on a team plane, never sent a dick pic to an NFL reporter, and got into the HoF, never drunkenly slobbered on a TV babe on national TV, never got a DUI, never lied about cops putting a gun to my head threatening to blow it off, never smoked crack with a ho, etc.
I’m prolly not alone.
I DO see Watson being a character issue for many fans…up to the time he pulls out a miracle scramble & tuddie pass wearing pewter, red, or creamsicle.
February 13th, 2022 at 12:38 pm
I called it.
The only QB trade able is watson. Any other elite QB No
February 13th, 2022 at 12:40 pm
Lets see Watson 40mil, Godwin 18 mil but what about Jensen,Cappa, Davis, Whiteheas etcetcetc?
February 13th, 2022 at 12:40 pm
I love how many on JBF seem to think they know what Brady’s thinking..
Especially the ones that say he’s not coming back to play for Tampa.
YOU don’t KNOW!!
February 13th, 2022 at 12:46 pm
Watson’s a bum, will do nothing for the locker room
February 13th, 2022 at 12:47 pm
@ Buc1987
Neither do YOU!!!
Dude – chillax…
Your being very un-dude like.
I think everyone understands this is all pure SPECULATION at this point.
It’s Super Bowl Sunday. We are talking football with our fellow Buc fans…
Who cares!!!!????!!!!????
Speculate all you want. It is supposed to be fun.
WOW.
February 13th, 2022 at 12:52 pm
Speculate all you want…but some are stating it as fact.
And that to me is a joke.
The same NFL insiders that said he would retire before he announced it… are now saying he might return.
Perhaps I should just go by speculation that he won’t return….because some “dude” on JBF goes into great detail as to why he won’t. Great detail!
February 13th, 2022 at 12:53 pm
I’m over Brady , we’re not waiting around for him the show must go on , hell we had a ring before he got here , he added 1 more thanks. Next chapter , time to get another ring without em. Bring in Deshaun!!!
February 13th, 2022 at 12:56 pm
@ 1987
Who knows?
Maybe – just maybe some of this SPECULATION comes to fruition…
Maybe not.
Does it really matter?
Why not just let the kids have fun?
Don’t be a kill-joy. Do your own SPECULATING and have fun with it…
February 13th, 2022 at 12:59 pm
Now talk about hypocrisy. BA never wanted AB because of his shady past but now because his fake legacy maybe questioned he’ll trade for a QB that ALLEGEDLY sexually assaulted 22 women. Who is worse, Watson or the guy willing to overlook that, BA?
February 13th, 2022 at 1:02 pm
I don’t think Brady’s coming back, and certainly not to the Bucs. If he does both of those things I’ll be extremely happy, just not getting my hopes up. Not sure how I feel about Watson. Super talented guy that can throw the ball under pressure, unlike America’s Turnover Machine or Jimmy G, but he comes with a LOT of baggage and a helluva price tag. Guy hasn’t played football in awhile either. Definitely an interesting offseason ahead of us
February 13th, 2022 at 1:02 pm
Can the Glazers give 5% of the team? If so do it!
February 13th, 2022 at 1:12 pm
Joe Says:
February 13th, 2022 at 11:46 am
Watson!! Really??? He may not even be able to play for a year and with his legal problem where will his head be? Most likely not on football.
Am sure during the “extensive homework” the Bucs will consult with a variety of lawyers both locally and in Texas.
Local & Texas lawyers won’t be much help with an NFL suspension…..ask Jameis.
February 13th, 2022 at 1:24 pm
If Watson doesn’t reach a settlement with these 22 women he will have to go to court in May, unless of course postponed. This could drag out until 2022 season or longer. If he gets convicted of any of these charges his career may be over. Its not like its just a couple of accusers its 22 for christs sake
I do not see all 22 women reaching a settlement.
February 13th, 2022 at 1:25 pm
I hear Watson is great in the film room- brings a whole new meaning to All 22.
February 13th, 2022 at 1:26 pm
Have Winston and Watson both in the backfield for a new “All out assault” package
February 13th, 2022 at 1:27 pm
Joe, you don’t really think the Bucs will go from Saint Thomas to the walking pervert in one off-season do you?
That guy has more baggage then the arrivals level at TIA.
February 13th, 2022 at 1:29 pm
2022, 22 free agents, 22 tug jobs…my birthday 9/22
Something cosmic happening here!
February 13th, 2022 at 1:36 pm
TB and SF make the most sense. SF has a great defense and Deebo is three players in one. They’re one elite qb away. Tb’s all about championships and as it was mentioned his salary is already figured into our salary cap woes and since he proved he could almost win with Evans and 4 back ups even when constantly harassed it would make sense to come back if they keep the line intact sign, Godwin, a few good defensive players and draft some very good rookies and a real kick returner. Last game he was plagued by the fact the coaches didn’t make enough adjustments to protect him in the 1st half and the defense sucked the whole game and please don’t cry that crap that Bowles lost the game on that last play. If the players had not only kept Cupp from going out of bound after catching that 20 yard pass prior then there would’ve been a good chance the Rams didn’t go for that last big play and even if they did would not have had time to spike the ball giving Brady a chance to win in over time. Then again maybe Brady doesn’t want to go thru spring workouts then come back. Who knows? There’s probably only 3 posters up here who would be upset if he came back here. The rest of us would forgive and forget and be happy about it. Can you guess who would be this 3?
February 13th, 2022 at 1:41 pm
Dear Bucs,
Please don’t sign another sex offender.
Thanks
February 13th, 2022 at 2:24 pm
Watson is such an unknown with his standing in the NFL. Just what the Bucs need a bigger unknown than if Brady would come back. Bucs play it safe, sign Gabbert who will be the opening day starter.
February 13th, 2022 at 2:37 pm
The failed settlement is because of two holdouts. Watson’s team wants NDAs from all of the women. All but the two have agreed. If something criminal were pending, we would have heard about a Grand jury. If Mike Vick, Adrian Peterson, Tyreek hill, and the other chief (Ben forgets his name) can get a second chance, Watson surely will.
February 13th, 2022 at 2:41 pm
Cobraboy … I knew what you meant on Rodgers-Brady; just couldn’t resist. For everyone who thinks that Watson is gonna be ‘the savior’ I’d suggest taking a look at what he did for Houston in 2020.
He had a good year (70% completion rate with 4,800 yds passing, 33 TDs & only 7 INTs. Even with that though, the Texans finished 4-12 (he started all of those), and their offense ranked 18th and put up only 384 pts (24 PPG).
Unfortunately they couldn’t afford many groceries to support Watson after paying him a huge contract & they ended up with a really bad defense (as in ‘it gave up 464 pts … 29 PPG). Quite simply they couldn’t compete with the big boys (like the Titans, Chiefs, Ravens) defensively OR offensively and they got their behinds kicked handily. And BTW, they structured Watson’s contract (4 yrs, $156 mil with $110.7 mil guaranteed) so that it’s heaviest in the back years (sound familiar?). His 2022 CAP hit is $40.4 mil and his Dead CAP is $51.2 mil.
Best for the Bucs to stay FAR FAR away from that. Let the Texans clean up their own mess. I’m sure that Lovie will be very successful this year and end up with the #1 pick in the 2023 draft. He’s got some good experience along those lines.
February 13th, 2022 at 2:52 pm
Was this Brady’s plan the whole time? Announce his retirement to shake everyone up and get something he wants? Stay tuned!
February 13th, 2022 at 3:25 pm
Brady isn’t coming back, you people are nuts.
Of course the Bucs should attempt to talk him out of it, but Brady’s wife made the decision he’s retired, and short of a divorce, he’s done.
February 13th, 2022 at 3:44 pm
BOTH sides need to get off the fence and move on. One way or another.
February 13th, 2022 at 4:01 pm
A horse fence needs to be pretty high, although Tom’s Horsefaced Commandant can probably hurdle most fences. She will need to untie Tom’s hands and feet and let him exercise if he’s really going to play again.
Here influence and control over the situation is second only to the unbecoming release of Todd’s Bowels in front of the world against the Rams.
42 seconds. 60 yards. 3 plays. Nice job, Todd.
February 13th, 2022 at 4:11 pm
Joe I am (almost) finally at peace and now this? This is just going to F with my emotions and not sure I will be able to handle it haha. Please provide support trauma.
February 13th, 2022 at 4:14 pm
The Brady nonsense needs to stop. The NFL media wh0res are engaging in wild-a55 speculation and it’s being pushed into plausibility only because of repetition. Then one person says it and another and then everybody thinks it’s fact. Meanwhile Brady was on vacation in Costa Rica.
Do I believe the Bucs are looking at Watson? I believe they are probably looking into whether there’s any validity to the claims against him. With 22 separate cases, it would be difficult to imagine they’re all lies… So, I kinda think Watson isn’t really in play. Great player. Super creep. Do you really wanna put a 50 foot tall banner of that sleazebag on the side of the stadium? Nope.
February 13th, 2022 at 4:32 pm
I think the odds of Brady coming back are close to the odds of him leaving New England to play for Tampa. A long shot, but it happened. We’ll see.
February 13th, 2022 at 4:51 pm
Am I the only one that sees a problem with BA trading for Watson? Isn’t he the guy who was adamant he didn’t want AB because of his past? How can BA look in the mirror if Watson becomes the Bucs QB?
February 13th, 2022 at 4:53 pm
this thread reveals how hard it will be to replace Tom. No human being on the planet will be as good, which will make it hard to find someone who will try.
i get it. Having Brady was magical, and to have it end as it did was heartbreaking.
Get some therapy and move on.
February 13th, 2022 at 5:01 pm
Doing nothing about QB until late summer. Having no certainty about how the roster should be contructed, no clear plan for draft, free agency, coaching, game planning. Until late summer. Does that make sense?
How does that even work? Double contingency plans? One for him not returning, another for him returning?
February 13th, 2022 at 5:15 pm
This Brady to SF rumor is completely out of control. If SF wanted Brady, it would have been done two years ago, when it made sense and both sides had interest. They chose Jittery G. They chose not to invest in an old QB who would have to learn a new system. And now, they are all-in on Trey Lance, who cost them a significant investment, and they love him. Do you really think they would push aside that entire plan, uproot the entire locker room, for a vanity project they already rejected?
On a purely football basis, of course, you could plug the GOAT into many situations and imagine it working, and SF is clearly a top 5. But there is more at play than that.
February 13th, 2022 at 6:20 pm
Hey Tom….Flowers and Diamonds work wonders on Women on V Day.
February 13th, 2022 at 8:31 pm
If the Bucs are working to keep Brady they might want to offer a package which includes replacing Todd Bowls with a DC who’s not an emotional shoot from the hip gun slinger. I finally decided to watch a re-run of Todd’s s-show blitz where 6 of our rushers failed to nail Stafford thereby leaving one of the best receivers in the NFL with single coverage. Believe me, time does not reduce the pain. I don’t think Brady will ever commit to the Bucs with Bowls in charge of the defense.
February 13th, 2022 at 10:38 pm
So you’re saying there’s a chance?
February 14th, 2022 at 8:27 am
Watson = Highlight plays but that doesn’t win big games !! Hell No !!!