Franchise “Reset” Coming?
January 31st, 2022
“Jason, nothing is going to chase me into retirement quicker than if you stick me with Gardner Minshew as a starter.”
It seems the Bucs are at a fork in the road if you heed to words of Albert Breer of SI.com.
The Bucs, Breer suggests, are in a pickle. If Tom Brady retires they may not be able to find a quarterback to get back to the playoffs no matter how strong the roster is. If Brady returns, the Bucs could use salary cap black magic to keep most of the team together. But that would cost the Bucs right around the corner.
Breer details what those landmines may be.
The Buccaneers’ immediate future is pretty murky. Last week, I had a back and forth with a team official who agreed that Brady’s decision on whether to come back in 2022 created a significant fork in the road for the entire franchise. If he were to return, the Bucs would, of course, kick the cap trouble down the road for another year and mortgage contracts to make room to try to bring back everyone possible to make another run at a championship. That, of course, is what you do when you have a player like Brady, and it’s unlikely Brady would return without assurances that the Bucs would go through with all of that. If he doesn’t come back? Well, then, in all likelihood, it’d be time for a franchise reset. The proof is in the team’s list of free agents.
If Tom Brady doesn’t return, is Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht going to trade for a quarterback, an established quarterback, not yesterday’s slop like Teddy Bridgewater or Gardner Minshew?
Joe finds it difficult to believe Bridgewater or Minshew can lead the Bucs to the playoffs. They are the 2022 version of Stewart McClown.
If the Bucs persuade Brady to stay and keep most of their free agents (or trade for an established, top-shelf starter), it won’t be long before the Bucs will be rebuilding because the team will have to shave a lot of salaries.
January 31st, 2022 at 4:24 pm
We are still a good team, either way.
January 31st, 2022 at 4:24 pm
I get it now, everyone filed these articles away because they weren’t able to use them last year it’s pathetic
January 31st, 2022 at 4:30 pm
Any chance a “Payton Approved” America’s Quarterback returns?
January 31st, 2022 at 4:30 pm
I’d say if Brady doesn’t come back we can still win the division and host a home playoff game. Has Breer taken a good look at our division lately? It’s a hot mess. Aside from Ryan there isn’t a good QB anywhere. The Saints lost Brees, now Payton. We’ll be fine even if we have a slight rebuild.
January 31st, 2022 at 4:32 pm
Ryan Tannehill reinvented himself in Tennessee. The question is if there’s anyone available that can do the same with the Bucs.
January 31st, 2022 at 4:34 pm
“Stewart McClown” Everyone knows, it’s Butters!
January 31st, 2022 at 4:36 pm
Joe you need a new policy. Anyone who mentions bringing Jameis Winston back to the roster needs to be banned from your site until after draft day
January 31st, 2022 at 4:38 pm
Joe would easily do that over Teddy Bridgewater or Gardnew Minshew. In the blink of an eye!
January 31st, 2022 at 4:38 pm
Bridgewater or Minshew might as well be Trask. Same result (or better if they’re tanking) at a cheaper price.
January 31st, 2022 at 4:39 pm
one would think our guys would rise up and prove they csn win without Brady.
we still got some good players left.
January 31st, 2022 at 4:39 pm
The team is 5-12 at best without Brady
Licht was garbage before Brady…I don’t see a difference.
January 31st, 2022 at 4:41 pm
The salary cap has gone up. They’re not that bad off. Sue Howard Rojo are gone. There is no reason they can’t sign Godwin and Jensen and Whitehead and Gholston.
Heck, they might be able to pay Godwin a little less than they paid him last year and put them on a 3-year contract.
The biggest concern is Brady. No one has any idea what they have in Kyle Trask but since he didn’t play last year I’m pretty sure he’s not a playoff caliber quarterback. We know Gabbert is not.
They’ll need to find a tight end, some affordable D line help, and another WR but the core of the team is there. They’re not stepping back into a major rebuild mode in my opinion
January 31st, 2022 at 4:48 pm
Ill go trask as starter and bring in via trade case keenum or mitchell trubisky.
Obviously i rather bring jameis over anyone for what …? $7mil a yr. And push hard to sign fournette ,godwin , cappa. And be a run first offense with play action down field.
January 31st, 2022 at 4:50 pm
If Brady makes it official, I’d like to see the Glazers fire Licht and Arians. I’m not a hater of Arians but this team will not be one that seems constructed for his brand of football exactly and there’s one available coach to move in quickly as long as he’s still available. Brian Flores.
Promote the front office tandem of Greenberg and the lady from the Jets to whatever title let’s them know they’re valued. Hire Flores and work with him in sifting through potential GM candidates. It’s a complicated puzzle to go that route on a GM but Flores is that good IMO. Add in whatever humility he may have learned in the Miami experience and he’s the coach for the next 25 years.
I envy with great admiration the Steeler franchise. Three head coaches in almost six decades. Super Bowl champions under each of them. Let’s chase that model.
January 31st, 2022 at 4:51 pm
Save The Licht House…Make The Bucs Great Again
January 31st, 2022 at 4:52 pm
Let all free agents walk. The Bucs will need all 5h3 compensatory picks they can get for the rebuild.
January 31st, 2022 at 4:55 pm
If Brady retires the free agents will flee for the most part. I’d rather see what they’ve got in Trask than start the QB re-tread carousel. Guess we’re back to being one of those teams without a QB.
January 31st, 2022 at 4:58 pm
Home – Packers (may not have Rogers)… Chiefs (window closing, Cap)… Rams (At least it’s in Tampa)… Bengals (going to be tough)… Seahawks (declining; may not have Wilson)… Ravens (gimmicky; inconsistent)… Panthers (Rebuild mode)….Saints (circling the drain)… Falcons (may be only threat in division)…
Away – Cardinals (gimmicky, inconsistent)… 49ers (likely young unknown QB)… Steelers (No big Ben)… Browns (it’s the Browns so who knows)… Saints (circling the drain)… Falcons (may be only threat in division)… Panthers (Rebuild mode)… Cowboys (inconsistent at best)….
Not the toughest schedule in 2022… A good, strong run game and much improved defense and the next QB doesn’t have to be the best like Tom Brady… He just has to take care of the ball and not be a BUST like, well you know who!
January 31st, 2022 at 5:02 pm
Not sure Minshew in general is a bad option. But agreed he is for the current Buc’s Offense henis not a fit.
January 31st, 2022 at 5:06 pm
Brady is gone and the sooner we all just accept that and plan accordingly, the better we’ll be as an organization and fan base. We should probably sign whatever cast off QB(s) we can and the few free agents that we’ll be be able to retain, start training camp with an open QB competition – hopefully see what we have in Trask. If we completely fall apart, we’ll have a high draft pick in 2023 with a better class of QBs to start the rebuild. The last two years were fantastic but the look of next season’s team will be totally different.
“Its like our Sergent told us before one trip into the jungle – Men! 50 of you are leaving on a mission. 25 of you aint coming back”
January 31st, 2022 at 5:07 pm
This roster is still very good!
Evans LVD Marpet Donnie Vea Winfield Barrett murohy bunting dean Wirfs edwards Tryon White……
Next year schedule is hard but with a decent QB we Can win the división with panthers saints and falcons in a way worst sitiation….
Resign CG and cappa draft correctly and ass some Pieces on free agency.
The sky is Not falling gentleman
January 31st, 2022 at 5:09 pm
WV, you have gotta have one of the nuttiest ideas I’ve seen proposed as a Brady retirement plan. You want to fire the GM that drafted half of our Super Bowl starting roster, the coach that finally took that roster and put the pieces together to get to a Super Bowl, who together began the process of cleaning up the Bucs culture of losing, for Mike Flores? Sounds like a great way to cause major turmoil from players to staff, fast.
January 31st, 2022 at 5:10 pm
David Says:
January 31st, 2022 at 4:36 pm
Joe you need a new policy. Anyone who mentions bringing Jameis Winston back to the roster needs to be banned from your site until after draft day
Old boring TBBF finally got a rise out of someone….
But, you have to admit…..Jameis is better than many other options……just think of it…..a QB battle between a Nole & a Gator.
January 31st, 2022 at 5:18 pm
Minshew is still a young player. Why the hate? He had decent stats in Jax.
January 31st, 2022 at 5:21 pm
Vea, Shaq, D-White, Lavonte, Winfield, Wirfs, Marpet, D-Smith, Evans… Bring back two or three out of: Godwin, Fournette, Jensen, Cappa, Davis, Witehead. Keep in mind Jason Licht has had two great drafts in a row and Bruce Arians was a great coach before coming here.
It’s not only Brady. He matters a lot, but we still have a Pro Bowl Roster.
January 31st, 2022 at 5:26 pm
I’ll take winston over those QBs I’m realistic.
January 31st, 2022 at 5:28 pm
“Kobe Faker is going to bet his trailer (doublewide)
under 6 wins next year”
Kobe Faker
January 31st, 2022 at 5:38 pm
Adrnagy … I like your 4:48 PM analysis. I can agree with all of it, except bringing Winston back. He’s not the long-term answer in Tampa Bay (never was), and I’d much rather spend a year with Trask (to see what he’s got) & then (if Trask flops early) Gabbert. No free agent QB this year is the answer IMO.
If we flop really bad in 2022 (I don’t think we would BTW) then we’d get a high draft pick & who knows, MAYBE get to draft another QB. Personally I prefer the Derek Carr route in 2023 since he becomes a FA in 2023 & would probably be eager to leave Las Vegas by then (thanks to Josh McDaniels). Some JBFers don’t seem to think much of him, but given a decent defense (which we can build) & a decent run game, Carr could do very well IMO in Tampa Bay. Admittedly though, NOT in BA’s ‘throw it early-and-often’ offense. But I can’t see BA coaching in 2023 anyways.
January 31st, 2022 at 5:39 pm
IF anyone signs Winston to have any chance to make the roster much less the starter, it will be the Saints or Steelers… a slight chance would be the Texans…
Teams don’t just let mediocre QBs go and then pursue them years later and they shouldn’t… he definitely will not get a team to the playoffs, much less a Super Bowl…
January 31st, 2022 at 5:43 pm
Like I said before. He knows the system and receivers. But BA and if BL is here NO more constant throwing downfield 70 yards 50 times a game. You have to change it to Run and passing. We have seen what needs to be done now.
January 31st, 2022 at 5:44 pm
I dont know about y’all but Watson as our QB would = never again a bucs fan
January 31st, 2022 at 5:46 pm
Brady is trying to get released and the Bucs are telling him NO, so he will retire. Brady wants to close his career with a winning organization not the we’re finally happy and satisfied with one and done Bucs.
January 31st, 2022 at 5:49 pm
@Listnfrmafar
I was thinking about that as well. Between being satisfied and the amount of fans that left in the 3rd quarter was a good indication its time to move on.
January 31st, 2022 at 5:49 pm
Beam me up, Scotty. There’s no intelligent life down here.
Too many of you are speaking from a place of ignorance. The reality is that the next generation of the Bucs is already halfway built.
Defense
Up and coming secondary.
Defensive line will likely lose JPP. We may have his replacement inhouse already…with big shoes to fill. Suh has 1-2 years left in him. Depending on the stat of the rest of the defense, it might be worth paying him another year.
White is pretty darn good. David is in his twilight.
So we may not have a complete defense, but it is close.
Offense
Offensive line is the best in the nfl. Every one of them is worth keeping. But we may not have a choice with Jenson. Physically, he’s got time left. But will he want to retire if Brady does? Regardless of what some may say, center is the hardest spot to fill well on the line. But it won’t be necessary if Jenson stays.
WR is set…and we’ll likely be adding more. Kicking the can with Evans could bite us in the end though.
Tightend. OJ is not working out. That’s two TEs in a row to bust for us. I do think Brate is good, but because of Gronk, Brate was neglected the past couple years. Now he may just be in his twilight.
RB never hurts to add new blood, but Jones is good as a starter. Lenny will likely be gone. New blood needs to be developed…but this isn’t a run first team, and frankly, I don’t believe it is a run first league anymore.
Quarterback is the obvious question mark. IF Brady retires life would be great if Trask is an answer, but I wouldn’t count on it.
If Jason Licht can land a quality veteran QB, all is good and we stand a great shot to go deep into the playoffs…and it’s possible too.
Rogers wants out of Greenbay. Wilson wants out of Seattle. Carr is even a possible option if the Raiders move on.
But Teddy would be a big mistake, as Winston would be.
The QB situation will determine whether Arians retires. He does not have it in him to develop a rookie at this point, but get the right veteran and all could be good.
As to the idiots saying to fire Arians and Licht…shut up. You have no idea what you are talking about.
January 31st, 2022 at 5:50 pm
I feel for Evans more than anyone. The guy was just feeling good about having more fans at games. Tampa needs to trade him to a more deserving franchise
January 31st, 2022 at 5:52 pm
I actually don’t want Winston back….just thought I’d throw it out there……here are some of the other thrown out there.
Minchew, Bridgewater, Jimmy G, Dalton,
Carr, Wilson, Rodgers…..under contract.
Watson (sure)
For me, if we are rebuilding….I’m for Trask……after all, why did we draft a QB in the 2nd round?…..give him a shot……save some money for other positions.
No worse for wear.
January 31st, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Listnfrmafar Says
“Brady is trying to get released and the Bucs are telling him NO, so he will retire. ”
Wrong. Brady has time left on his contract because he likes it here.
if the release him, they have to pay him. If he officially retires, they don’t.
It’s really that simple. $30 million of cap space.
January 31st, 2022 at 6:04 pm
You want crazy? Luck un-retiring!
January 31st, 2022 at 6:11 pm
Why bring Arians and Co. back for his ‘last chance’ tour before he quits? Then what?
January 31st, 2022 at 6:18 pm
I suggested Luck earlier….he has a relationship with BA….and with our Oline & weapons, it would be a great place for him to come back….
January 31st, 2022 at 6:21 pm
Don’t laugh. But Arians might give Winston another shot. You never know
January 31st, 2022 at 6:22 pm
Joe u are trippin. Minshew is the awnser. He ain’t slop. He needs real wesapons and a shot
January 31st, 2022 at 6:50 pm
Breer whos Licht going to trade for hope the can work for monopoly money. And what they are going to trade our first round picks for the next 3 or 4 years.
January 31st, 2022 at 7:02 pm
Joe I’d rather have Minchew the stash, than Jameis the ass!
January 31st, 2022 at 7:04 pm
I certainly hope Brady returns, but if he doesn’t, I don’t think the Bucs will fall apart. There is still a lot of talent on this team and if we can resign some of our free agents, let the dead weight leave, and sign some outside free agents to fill holes or for depth, I would bet we would be in a good position to win with Trask at QB. Can anyone tell me why starting him is so scary when New England started Mac Jones all year with good results. Heck, Trask started the better part of two years in the SEC and had a year nearly as good as Mac Jones as a senior. What’s the difference? I want Brady to return, but if that does not happen, I think we should bolster our roster and let Trask show us what he’s worth.
January 31st, 2022 at 7:06 pm
Jeezus, so much doom and gloom. Yeah, it’s going to be a challenge without Brady. Stop being babies.
January 31st, 2022 at 7:11 pm
The staff let Brady down.
January 31st, 2022 at 7:17 pm
They might want to consider trading for Carr. I’m just not sure on Rodgers because just like Brady who knows how much longer he’d be playing (depending on Brady) since he’s like 36 or 37 now & Carr is about 30 so he’d probably still be playing by the the Rodgers retires & Rodgers always seems to be on & off in the playoffs. They don’t need that. If it wouldn’t cost so much maybe Watson would be something to consider but it’ll be too much.
January 31st, 2022 at 7:22 pm
I can’t wait until Joe unironically starts writing articles calling for Jameis.
The guy who still believes the alcoholic that was more worried about partying then being ready for games known as Johnny Manziel could have been a QB if we drafted him.
NFL teams going with retreads always work right guys? Look at the raiders and Chucky that was a good idea. This would be like going back to a toxic X and the FSU goon squad/nimrod vultures are going to call for it.
January 31st, 2022 at 7:24 pm
This year’s BUCS without Brady would have won 8-9 games… I doubt the team around the QB will be as good next year… I’ll say 6-7 wins without Brady, 10-11 wins with Brady, and make the playoffs again.
January 31st, 2022 at 7:28 pm
We need a reset at d tackle and receiver since we only have two reliable guys. Have to worry about the o line because Brady made Donovan smith better than he was and I hope he doesn’t prove me right like he did against von miller
January 31st, 2022 at 7:28 pm
Pewter til Von Miller in the playoffs Donavan was playing incredibly. It’s just people around here still have a hate b@ner for him.
January 31st, 2022 at 7:31 pm
Whoever is wanting Trask, go look at his highlights with the BUCS. We know Gabbert isn’t it either.
January 31st, 2022 at 7:33 pm
I could see Mike Evans getting traded. Godwin will sign with whatever team Tom Brady comes out of retirement for in ’23 – Maybe the RAAAIIIDDERRRRS!!!!
January 31st, 2022 at 7:40 pm
Russell would be another decent choice but I think they wouldn’t have to give up as much for Carr as they probably would for Russell or Rodgers.
January 31st, 2022 at 7:46 pm
Bonzai … Good to see you back among us non-intellectuals. I for one agree with you that ‘the next generation of the Bucs is already halfway built’. But that’s the problem: it’s ONLY ‘halfway built’.
I generally feel that a team needs a MINIMUM of 14 quality starters/key rotational players on offense, preferably 16 on defense, plus the kicker & punter. So you’re roughly talking 32 quality players to be truly competitive.
If you look at the Bucs’ current players under contract, then focus in on actual starters/key rotational guys (with experience), we’ve got the following for 2022 (assuming Brady retires):
Offense: 7 of 14 under contract
1 – QB … Open (was Brady)
2 – RB … Open (was Fournette)
3 – WR … Mike Evans
4 – WR … Open (was Godwin)
5 – TE … Open (was Gronk)
6 – TE … Brate
7 – LT … Donovan Smith
8 – LG … Marpet
9 – C … Open (was Jensen)
10 – RG … Open (was Cappa)
11 – RT … Wirfs
12 – RB Rotation … Vaughn ??? (was RoJo ???)
13 – WR Rotation … Open (was AB)
14 – TE Rotation … Open (was OJ)
And yes I know we’ve got a number of guys under contract who MIGHT be able to fill some of those Open slots (Like Tyler Johnson, Grayson, Miller, etc) but none of them have shown themselves to truly be quality starters at this point.
Defense: 10 of 16 under contract
1 – NT … Vea
2 – DT … Open (was Suh)
3 – DT … Open (was Gholston)
4 – OLB … Shaq
5 – OLB … Open (was JPP)
6 – ILB … LVD
7 – ILB … White
8 – CB … Open (was Davis)
9 – CB … Dean
10 – S … Winfield
11 – S … Open (was Whitehead)
12 – DLine Rotation … RNR
13 – DLine Rotation … Open (was McLendon)
14 – OLB Rotation … JTS
15 – CB Rotation … SMB
16 – S Rotation … Edwards
Special Teams: 2 of 2 under contract
1 – Kicker … Succop
2 – Punter … Pinion
That’d be 18 of the minimum 32 starters/key rotational players under contract. Not bad; slightly more than half. Come crunch time though, would seem that there’s a pretty good chance that 3 of the higher salaried players (Brate, Succop & Pinion) MIGHT not be with us this year (just a guess mind you). So ya, you’d be spot on if that happened … our 2022 team would be ‘halfway built’. And that’s the problem …
January 31st, 2022 at 7:48 pm
Maybe it’s time to give somebody like Josh Freeman Steve Young Vinny Testaverde Jeff Garcia Brad Johnson Shaun King or Trent Dilfera call & see if they wanna come back as the QB. If they can pass or run still.🤣
January 31st, 2022 at 8:19 pm
ummmm…
what about considering baker mayfield ???
he’s sort of on the outs over there in cleveland
January 31st, 2022 at 8:23 pm
i like minshew a lot, but he was an over achiever the year or so he climbed onto the map…
he’s an excellent back up…
much preferred over gabbert imho
January 31st, 2022 at 8:23 pm
@Defense Rules
Great information!
January 31st, 2022 at 8:27 pm
watson is the answer, minus the crimes of passion…
you can’t bring that drama in here after tommy terrific…
he could get dragged through the mud with every mistake he makes, and then just self implode and not live up to what we’d expect to see from him on the field…
tough to fill tom’s shoes…
so bringing in a dude halfway sunk in quicksand can’t be the answer………unfortunately
January 31st, 2022 at 8:28 pm
No to Carr, Gardner, Bridgewater, Ryan, Cam, Wentz, Goff, Mayfield. No to Mariota.
The Bucs already had the best retread in history the last two years. It won’t be repeated with any of those guys.
Ride Trask for a year. See what you’ve got. Cap friendly.
January 31st, 2022 at 9:38 pm
2022 schedule is brutal. Only five games are relatively easy. Would be a tough season even for a fully stocked 2021 Bucs team.
I looked at film of Trask from preseason. I still think he’s a better option that most of the QBs in this very weak QB draft, but that’s not saying much. Trask has funky mechanics, doesn’t seem to have consistent control of his throws. He has to get MUCH better fast. Now I don’t know how much better 2023’s draft class is, but 2022 is one of the worst, along with a bad FA crop. No one good without a trade, and only Russell Wilson and Rodgers are standout.
January 31st, 2022 at 10:43 pm
Brady was a unicorn in that he was paid far less than his actual worth. Screw giving up picks for a lesser quarterback that will want more money than Brady. Maybe Patrick is worth the money and worth gimping the rest of the team? I know that Dak sure as hell ain’t worth, right Jerry?
Anyways, I know it sucks and we have been lousy at it, but we just need to keep drafting qb’s until we get it right.
February 1st, 2022 at 12:17 pm
So a guy getting Door #2’d just swallows it and comes back? That door was nailed shut for both parties. It’s about trust. I was totally against drafting Winston because QB is 95% mental. The QB who just turned in his cleats had this quality from day 1. Arm talent, athletic ability, and guts help but only worth 7 wins maxed out. Find the QB with superior mental acuity (TB12) and your team will live on 11 to 12 wins a year.
February 1st, 2022 at 1:10 pm
Kobe Faker Says:
January 31st, 2022 at 5:28 pm
“Kobe Faker is going to bet his trailer (doublewide)
under 6 wins next year”
Kobe Faker
^^^^^^^^
Welcome back, trolltard! I’m glad to took Realisto out of your mouth long enough to post!