Bucs May Struggle To Get A Veteran Quarterback
February 6th, 2023
Big lure for a quarterback.
The Bucs have selling points if they choose to try to lure a veteran quarterback to Tampa to try and continue their three-year run of postseason appearances.
But the drawbacks may be too much.
Over at BSPN, follicly-challenged Bill Barnwell decided to lay out all the teams seeking a quarterback. He ranked the teams that seem to be the most desirable landing spots.
Barnwell has the Bucs at No. 5, but in his pros and cons, things jump out and spook Joe. For example, Barnwell types about weather, something only the Bucs had to sell players on during the Lost Decade.
Two other pros Barnwell mentioned are the Bucs receivers and the lame NFC South, which means a return to the playoffs or even a division title isn’t far-fetched.
The final element Barnwell said is a draw for a veteran quarterback should really get some Bucs fans’ rocks off. That would be the offensive line. (Haters, react!)
And yeah, getting a veteran quarterback in here probably requires telling them who the offensive coordinator is before he signs off on the deal.
The cons are huge: The Bucs have a declining roster. There’s no way around that. If the Bucs have a top-10 defense in 2023 as they had in 2022, Todd Bowles might be coach of the year.
February 6th, 2023 at 4:19 am
I heard Testaverde, was available
February 6th, 2023 at 5:01 am
2 decades were enough. And they are way late to the game on finding a competent coaching staff. This is like the Raheem/Schiano years, maybe worse. The offense is actually worse than it was in the early decades for point scoring (and that’s WITH Brady–now what?). So glad to have gotten off that sinking ship with season tix where prices rose twice during the pandemic and fan perks fell through the floor, especially for Club members. I wish them well..but will spend that $6 grand for something worth the time. Reap what you sow, Glazers. Licht is a now a problem, but the dysfunciton goes higher. Go Bucs!
February 6th, 2023 at 5:16 am
The 49ers won 9 games in a row, one of them a playoff game, and their QB was the last pick in the 7th round, a rookie no less. We on the other hand only won 8 games all year with Tom Brady. It ain’t always the QB, it’s the TEAM. Right now it doesn’t matter who our QB is the TEAM needs to improve all around. I suggest we start in the trenches to improve the TEAM, and the QB whoever it will be can have a chance. Trask was a second round pick who’s been groomed for two years under the best. If Trask is a bust that’s not on him, it’s on Licht. If Licht can’t draft players who can play, then we should be looking for a G.M. instead of a QB.
February 6th, 2023 at 5:33 am
The unknowns going into this season are mind-boggling.
o No OC at present.
o 25 free agents, to include 9 who were starters.
o Several players coming off significant injuries, and several others with significant injury histories.
o MINUS $55.7 mil salary CAP with 49 players under contract, 15 of whom are recently-signed Practice Squad players not on the active roster last season.
Add to that our #19 draft position, and we’re not exactly starting from a position of strength.
February 6th, 2023 at 5:36 am
However, we’ve got several positives working for us:
o Bucs have a talented ‘core’ returning, more-so on the offensive side than on our defense. We just need to add the right ‘pieces’.
o Some of our young talent got some excellent experience last season.
o We’ve got access to some quality FAs (those who played for us last season). If we’re smart, we’ll get some FA deals done early before those guys have a chance to shop around.
o Our salary CAP position, while really messy, can be improved by re-negotiating deals with some high $$$ vets (ME13, CG14, Davis, and a couple others). Several guys under contract are also prime candidates for release to save $$$.
February 6th, 2023 at 5:36 am
Fun times ahead. IMO this season’s record could be anyplace from about 10-6 to 2-14. All depends on how well we navigate this maze we find ourselves in, and oh ya, on coaching. Bucs really need to hire a quality OC. Hiring a quality DC AND S/Ts coach wouldn’t hurt my feelings either.
February 6th, 2023 at 5:44 am
Bring back Jameis on a one year deal! It will be win win! IF he stinks it up, we probably get 1st or 2nd pick in draft. IF he does well and the storybook ending is a super bowl, that would be amazing!
Ok, full disclosure, haven’t had my morning coffee yet, but this thought popped in! I just figured it would give Jameis haters something to cheer for (sucking) and Jameis supporters cheer for success!
February 6th, 2023 at 5:54 am
Fire Bowels
February 6th, 2023 at 6:23 am
When the offense stinks this year ,who will you blame.
February 6th, 2023 at 6:38 am
Doc Says: “When the offense stinks this year, who will you blame.”
Why, the quarterback, of course; Brady isn’t here. 😛
February 6th, 2023 at 6:46 am
The biggest problem to getting a quality OC or QB is the reality that Bowles is done. DOA. He was so ineffective last year. No one believes he can coach. Except Arians. And Arians is wrong.
No one willingly jumps on a sinking ship.
This will be a patchwork team with all the cap issues, a leftovers coaching staff, and an angry fan base.
All because Arians gambled everyone’s future on his own weird obsession with pushing failures at his coordinator positions.
February 6th, 2023 at 7:01 am
Carr coming to BUCS???!?!?!?!
February 6th, 2023 at 7:03 am
Ok, Doc. You’ve made the same comment twice. You appear to think Leftwich was a scapegoat. Who do you think is responsible for the garbage we just endured?
February 6th, 2023 at 7:08 am
Not so much on offensive line , but no state income tax is a plus.
Josh Wells , Aaron Stinnie , and Nick Leverett are all unrestricted free agents. All three have some proven ability and will be testing the market to get substantial raises from their 740,000 to 1.5 mil salary numbers and deservedly so. Josh Wells is 32 and Stinnie is 29-this might be their last contract-they will be trying to maximize dollars. Bucs may retain one or two , but not all three.
Wirfs and his agent will be interested in trying LT for obvious reasons. Bucs should be as well as there are only a handful of great LT’s out there. Wirfs can play LT and do that well. Put Goedeke back where he is comfortable at RT. Jettison Dsmith-he is washed.
February 6th, 2023 at 7:19 am
While there aren’t 32 quality starting QB’s in the NFL, there are only 32 starting gigs. The Bucs will find someone to man the spot at some point. There’s a few decent options out there, curious to see who we bring in.
February 6th, 2023 at 7:20 am
We had Tom Brady and he turned the ship around. It was so worth it. And even if we have to pay the piper this year to regain salary cap space, I would do it all over again.
What a stud. He showed us what a franchise QB can mean, one who doesn’t get careless with turnovers. Go Bucs!
I hope Trask has developed and let’s bring in some affordable competition and may the best man win.
February 6th, 2023 at 7:20 am
Something tells me it isnt the Glasers choice that they dont have an OC. I doubt theyre holding out for one of the coordinators coaching innthe Super Bowl. So, assuming they can’t lure an OC from the upper echelon, youve gotta suspect we are going to be getting a guy that is not desirable on paper. And that translates to a Gabbert/Trask and eventually Trask season or two. At least that’s the way it is looking to me based on the lack of OC.
February 6th, 2023 at 7:25 am
Fyi– Raider fans think the same of Carr as we do about Gabbert
February 6th, 2023 at 7:26 am
Honest question, was the D somewhat good because we got to play NFC south teams twice? Also throw in the browns cards packers and rams.
February 6th, 2023 at 7:34 am
Money talks & BS walks…..and, we don’t have the money…….Veteran or not players are looking for the paycheck.
February 6th, 2023 at 7:39 am
Joe, is it possible for the bucs to get Jacoby Bisset as a start ( bridge qb ) next year and draft a qb this draft to compete with Trask? I mean Bisset isn’t a great qb but he’s shown he can win in the nfl. His nfl stats are decent and you don’t have to break the bank.
February 6th, 2023 at 7:40 am
There are a lot of FA QBs available but the good ones like Jackson will stay with current teams. They rest are only backups at best so I see no issue.
February 6th, 2023 at 7:46 am
People need to remember that some players only came in or re-upped because of Brady. Should be interesting to see how free agency goes without the G.O.A.T. gone. Seems like it’s already affecting fans/ season ticket holders.
February 6th, 2023 at 7:47 am
*with
February 6th, 2023 at 7:54 am
Hire an OC competent enough to make Trask as good as he was in college and let our free agents go so we can fix our salary cap. It’s not rocket science
February 6th, 2023 at 7:57 am
The first step in recovery is to admit where you really are. I think articles like this help Bucs fans to deal with that reality.
February 6th, 2023 at 8:00 am
Was it a top 10 D because we played the NFC 2x and throw in the cards rams, packers and browns?
February 6th, 2023 at 8:01 am
Good point Brian!
February 6th, 2023 at 8:19 am
Definitely need to get younger especially in the trenches
February 6th, 2023 at 8:32 am
Coach of the year, Joe that was so funny I spat up my coffee. When was this D good? 2 games in 2020? NO playoff game where the starting QB could throw past 15 yds? And 2020 SB a team with an injured QB, in all fairness Brady was also injured, a decimated oline and the HC’s son/assit coach arrested for DUI and injuring the life of a 5yr old? No distractions there. They gave up over 60 points the last two playoff games and over 30 points to teams 500 or greater in 2023.
Why would a guy like Carr or Roger’s trying to revamp their careers go to the Bucs if Brady couldn’t succeed under Bowles with the same receivers? Mayfield, Brissett, Jimmy G or
February 6th, 2023 at 8:33 am
Coach of the year, Joe that was so funny I spat up my coffee. When was this D good? 2 games in 2020? NO playoff game where the starting QB could throw past 15 yds? And 2020 SB a team with an injured QB, in all fairness Brady was also injured, a decimated oline and the HC’s son/assit coach arrested for DUI and injuring the life of a 5yr old? No distractions there. They gave up over 60 points the last two playoff games and over 30 points to teams 500 or greater in 2023.
Why would a guy like Carr or Roger’s trying to revamp their careers go to the Bucs if Brady couldn’t succeed under Bowles with the same receivers? Mayfield, Brissett, Jimmy G or Trask Bucs best option.
February 6th, 2023 at 8:47 am
Biggest deterant is no one wants to play for a loser HC!
February 6th, 2023 at 8:52 am
@DR: I appreciate your eternal optimism.
However, recognizing opinions differ, IMO, this is a bad team with little future in its current state. Old. Slow. Cap crunched. Terrible on-field coaching.
I was OK with All-In under Brady. But that ship has sailed, and three years just produced an older roster. This team was lucky to be 8-9.
I don’t consider Cleveland, Pittsburgh, or the Kitties games as anomalies like many casuals do. I consider them “normal” for the state of the coaching staff and players without Arians watchful eyes.
I’m ready for a total rebuild. The Bucs had their run.
February 6th, 2023 at 9:20 am
Problems getting a quality OC… and a quality QB? No sleet sherlock.
February 6th, 2023 at 9:20 am
If you improve the Oline and Dline winning the NFC South is not a huge climb , but Hicks,Gholston,Nassib, and Nunez – Roches are all UFA. Wells,Stinnie , and Leverett all UFA. Licht cannot afford another bad draft like last year.
February 6th, 2023 at 9:24 am
Cooper Rush
February 6th, 2023 at 9:30 am
The ‘Starter’ free agents number is inflated. Some of those guys only started due to injuries.
February 6th, 2023 at 9:34 am
2 years removed from the Super Bowl, won out division (with Bowles.. yes barely but it happened), we have a lot of talent in important positions, weak division, here in Tampa, we live in paradise (things to do, weather, etc) and one of the biggest reasons for millionaires….NO tax on their huge contracts.
February 6th, 2023 at 9:35 am
Brady had the second fastest release in the NFL( PJ Walker of the Panthers was first) so if some vet QB comes in here with a 3 second release his going to get punished.
February 6th, 2023 at 9:42 am
Gonna be a tough year for Bowles. And the Bucs.
February 6th, 2023 at 10:05 am
2023 is a sacrificial season. Just string a roster together with wire and chewing gum. Bucs will need the first pick of the 2024 draft like never before.
February 6th, 2023 at 10:20 am
Here are the positives. Oline and 2 veteran WRs. Weather, place to dock your boat and state taxes. It is a good spot for a make or break season QB. Mayfield and Sam Darnold are candidates. I do see a QB looking at a season with Jensen and stinnie and 2 healthy OTS as being a positive.
Agree I don’t see the coaching staff and cap situation as a good spot for a Carr or even Jimmy G. Carr is going to where rodgers isn’t which will be the jets or saints.
February 6th, 2023 at 10:31 am
Cons:
1. No OC
2. Mongrel fan base
3. Humid as h@ll
4. Undiscipline team
5. Oline healthy is still questionable
6. No leadership
7. Up against the cap
8. Biggest of ALL proven LOSER HC.
9. GM with no sack
February 6th, 2023 at 10:33 am
10. If this regime can damage Brady’s legacy, what do you think will happen to the next QB.
February 6th, 2023 at 10:55 am
The limiting factor on which QB we get will be based on the commitment of the contract, which comes down to ownership decision making. Brady was the only QB the Glazers have given franchise QB money to, and with good reason. I dont see them giving the money or the long term commitment for any of the ones available or near available. They are going to draft or trade for an established one, and with that in mind, we are not likely to have one any time soon if you look at the track record. I bet they are paying close attention to the health of Lamar’s knee, and creating contingencies should he get a nonexclusive tag this season.
February 6th, 2023 at 10:56 am
Bowles needs to go. He didn’t cut it in NY and he won’t down here in Tampa. Hire and offense-oriented HC. Bring Baker Mayfield in on the cheap. If he works out then great. If not, then he can be a bridge to a long-term QB solution. Go Bucs.
February 6th, 2023 at 11:07 am
This team is rotting, top to bottom including Glazers.
February 6th, 2023 at 11:09 am
I agree with alanbucsfan….Cooper Rush
February 6th, 2023 at 11:22 am
The “no state income tax” is not fully correct.
Players must pay state income taxes for games played where there IS a state or other income tax.
It only applies to games played in FL, so it’s half of what you may think.
February 6th, 2023 at 11:59 am
I believe Cobra is correct, so eight games & PO & in Bucs/KC case SB. What happens overseas?
February 6th, 2023 at 10:33 pm
A veteran QB is a waste of time….. Are you hoping to win 10 games and lose the divisional round of the playoffs. That’s the very best case scenario. We need to be playing for a team that will be good for a long time and taking big swings at a franchise qb in the draft. It doesn’t have to be a first rounder. But we need to continue taking swings at nailing a franchise qb. That is the only answer. Blow everything up. Trade one or two of our core players get draft picks this year or next.
February 6th, 2023 at 11:49 pm
If the Bucs don’t take significant steps to improve their offensive line it won’t matter who they get at quarterback.