If Bucs Start Blaine Gabbert, It’s A “Rebuild”
February 23rd, 2022
“Reload?”
Joe doesn’t think Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians decided to return for the 2022 season to lead a rebuild.
Arians, 69, likely won’t be coaching much longer (unless the Bucs get Deshaun Watson, who is young). So it is difficult to believe Arians returned to start with a quarterback who has been a career never-been or a fourth-string quarterback who has yet to wear an NFL uniform on gameday, Kyle Trask.
Recently, when Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht spoke to the fourth estate in the wake of Tom Brady’s retirement, Licht called the first season of the post-Brady era a “reload.”
Jenna Laine of ESPN says she doesn’t care what the Bucs call it. If Gabbert or Trask start this fall, it’s a rebuild, plain and simple, Laine types.
Sign or trade for a marquee free-agent quarterback, and the window to contend stays open. But if they come up empty and are forced to turn to Blaine Gabbert, who hasn’t started a game since 2018, or Kyle Trask, who was their fourth quarterback on the depth chart last season, it will be a rebuild, even if general manager Jason Licht and coach Bruce Arians won’t be calling it that — preferring to instead use the term “reload.”
Though Joe surely doesn’t want to see it, starting Gabbert isn’t nuts if you study Arians’ history. He once got to a wild card game in Arizona with Drew Stanton as quarterback.
And if you ever bring up the name Tim Couch, who Arians coached in Cleveland, Arians will have you know Couch had a damn fine arm. Couch’s career was just wrecked by injuries.
So if Arians chooses Gabbert, it’s not like Arians hasn’t settled on less than popular quarterbacks before.
The trick here is, will knighting Gabbert as the starter be enough sizzle and splash to lure Chris Godwin, Ryan Jensen or Playoff Lenny back to the Bucs?
February 23rd, 2022 at 5:06 am
We’d be running a lot more
February 23rd, 2022 at 5:12 am
i’m all for gabbert being number 2 and having a revival if a brought in starter flops out or goes down to injury…
everyone has their 15 minutes…
gabbert could have his if the stars align for him…
do i think the bucs should strategically align them — no…
let it happen organically from the number 2 spot on the bench…
trask is a number 3 now, and a special thanks to grif, but time to move on
February 23rd, 2022 at 5:25 am
Other options:
1) Brady back, with BA as coach
2) Brady back, with BA not the coach (if that’s why Brady “retired”)
3) Trade Brady to 49ers for Trey Lance (highly unlikely)
4) Trade Brady to 49ers for Jimmy G and draft pick(s)
5) Trade for Deshaun Watson (I’m not high on this, with certain suspension, the cost, and the possibility of other accusers)
6) Sign Jameis Winston (unlikely, with other teams like Washington or Houston being options for him)
7) Sign Nick Foles, if he’s cut (might have another year of magic in him)
8) Gabbert and/or Trask
February 23rd, 2022 at 5:49 am
fitzie and folesie 🙂
February 23rd, 2022 at 5:53 am
‘Will knighting Gabbert as the starting quarterback be enough sizzle and splash to lure Chris Godwin, Ryan Jensen or Playoff Lenny back to the Bucs?’
Obivously neither Godwin, nor Jensen, nor Fournette are looking for 1-year deals. They’re all premier talents AND expect to be paid handsomely for those talents. The ONLY ‘rights’ that the Bucs have to any of them is the franchise tag.
The math isn’t that hard to do. Give any of the three a fair, long-term deal & they’ll stay a Buc, regardless of whether Gabbert (or Trask or someone else) is under center this season.
February 23rd, 2022 at 5:58 am
Like 5he way you think Joe in Michigan. Hope #5 or 6 never happens. Rather have Wentz or Bridgewater (though I’m not big on either).
As Beeej said, without Brady, the Bucs want Fournette back and want to run more regardless of who the QB is for 2022.
February 23rd, 2022 at 6:16 am
I can’t believe anyone is thinking about starting Gabbert. He sucks, absolutely nothing more than a backup in emergencies. Makes absolutely no sense to me to start him, when you have a 2nd round draft QB waiting for a chance. If Gabbert is the starter next season, I won’t watch a single game.
February 23rd, 2022 at 6:21 am
Bucs guy: Do not worry about option #6. Jameis is not coming back as long as BA is coach, the Bucs are not going to go with a qb who hangs his hat on one obscure 5 game winning streak in 2016 and a couple of big games vs teams like Detroit in 2019 where he threw for a lot of yards but also threw 30 picks and ended his TB career with a pick 6 to the ATL. I’d love for the GOAT to come back but that is unlikely. As for Bridgewater, well unless the Bucs get a D like the 2002 squad, he might get you a division title in a weak NFC South and a 4 seed but probably nothing more. There are better game managers out there than Teddy B, besides winning 5 in a row when Brees was hurt, what has he done?
February 23rd, 2022 at 6:42 am
It will be a rebuild no matter who they bring in.
February 23rd, 2022 at 6:48 am
IMO…..Gabbert is about the equivalent to Bridgewater. Might as well go with the guy that knows the offense. The thing with Gabbert is none of his teammates are remotely dropping his name. If he were lighting up practice, you’d at least hear some chatter from teammates.
February 23rd, 2022 at 6:55 am
When you have 24 free agents some cornerstones of your team that aren’t coming back, call it what you will rebuild, reload, it’s all the same. Half the team was going to be different, even if Tom came back. We kept the band together last year it didn’t work. Thinking doing the same this year with Brady wouldn’t either. Another reason Tom decided to leave, our window was closing fast even if he stayed. This day came a year to early that’s all, but it was coming. Licht did get a young QB in the building last year chosing Trask, so some props there even if no one likes the pick. No one likes Gabbert starting either, but I can see why the Bucs go that route, basically no choice. So as a Buc fan, if it’s Gabbert to start, that’s who I’ll root for. I’m giving Gabbert a chance
February 23rd, 2022 at 7:03 am
fourth-string quarterback who has yet to wear an NFL uniform on gameday, Kyle Trask.
Joe, how could Trask be a 4th string QB when Griffin was on the practice squad and Trask was on the roster?
Yes, I know, you can’t protect Trask on the practice squad…..but he was our 3rd QB…..should be no argument there.
February 23rd, 2022 at 7:06 am
might be best option right now, ok with it here, knows offense….sign everyone else!!
February 23rd, 2022 at 7:08 am
the x factor has gotta be andrew luck…
pull him out of retirement now…
he could be the only hope – BA needs to screw the combine and go visit the luckster
February 23rd, 2022 at 7:33 am
I hear tell Mike Glennon is available…. We should snatch him up before it’s too late
February 23rd, 2022 at 7:34 am
adam from NY
Been calling for Luck from the beginning…..BA needs to invite him to the lake for many drinks….
February 23rd, 2022 at 7:54 am
Brady will be back… somewhere.
My guess Miami where he will live
My guess is Miami where he will be involved with managing the franchise if not part of the ownership
February 23rd, 2022 at 8:00 am
Ummm, its a rebuild. Hey Hey Bucconeers 22.
February 23rd, 2022 at 8:02 am
What does site clearly needs are more Gabbert articles. Two a day is not giving us the information we need.
February 23rd, 2022 at 8:03 am
Adam and TBBF… Have you guys seen Andrew Luck lately? He is NOT playing football ANY time soon.
February 23rd, 2022 at 8:30 am
He is not my first choice, but if it’s Gabbert to start, that’s who I’ll root for. I’m giving Gabbert a chance.
Arians really likes him. Joe will root for him, too, if he’s named the starter. Don’t ask Joe to root for that coming true.–Joe
February 23rd, 2022 at 8:32 am
Joe in Michigan… Brady for Lance would get Licht GM of the year and a Nobel prize
February 23rd, 2022 at 8:33 am
The bigger issue with Gabbert is ticket sales…he creates zero confidence in buyers. I honestly think Trask would spark more interest than Gabbert from a ticket sales perspective. Guys like Jimmy G, Carr, etc….Buc fans will at least give them a chance. Obviously Watson would create excitement, Wilson, Rodgers….but i dont know that they are realistic options. We got Brady via free agency….all these other guys will require draft capital, players and cap space. We’re not in position to compete in that regard. Our draft capital is weak and our cap space is tight. Licht has his work cut out for him. There’s a small piece of me that thinks Brady will wait to see what players Licht can keep, then work himself another extension with even more guaranteed money.
February 23rd, 2022 at 8:41 am
If Trask or Gabbert were our QB….how many on JBF would strongly root for their success?
Or, root for them to fail because that’s what you predicted.
The true measure of a fan or not a fan.
February 23rd, 2022 at 8:52 am
Profootball talk just said BA said that Gabbert has not ever played with a team this good. This team was good because of Brady and the motivation he pushed on the players. This team is just average and if they start Gabbert they will be below average.
February 23rd, 2022 at 8:56 am
Gabbert won’t attract free agents and won’t sell season tickets. I don’t think it’s a bad team because the division sucks and the rest of the roster isn’t bad. But you better not have very high expectations.
Gabbert would be a stopgap simply because the Bucs can’t get anyone else. He’s not the long term answer.
February 23rd, 2022 at 9:01 am
Nothing is certain except uncertainty. Bucs are likely to look very different after the dust settles. All we can do is wait and see. Joe is probably suffering a high blood pressure spike these days. Haha. Cut back on beer, cheese burgers and French fries Joe.
February 23rd, 2022 at 10:10 am
No Sh!t. Let ME PAY THE BUCS to raise the cap to replace Jenna’s annoying azz. So terrible and annoying questions at PC, you can tell she’s national media.
February 23rd, 2022 at 10:10 am
Was starting Mac Jones considered “rebuilding” for Belichek?
Was Belichek the NFL Nostradamus and KNEW Mac Jones would lead the Patriots to the playoffs in his rookie season?!
If Gabbert starts, it will most likely be as a place-holder for Trask. IMO.
And, I would argue that signing your FAs FIRST will determine the success of a team that currently has a huge question mark at QB.
February 23rd, 2022 at 10:24 am
would be a rebuild the year after this coming one, when all the remaining talent heads for the hills
February 23rd, 2022 at 10:34 am
Sometimes I just scratch my head about casual fans.
“Keeping the band together” for an all-in SB run built around Tom Brady was the mantra, and everybody knew that meant kicking the cap can down the road.
It fell short and disappointed all.
And now, with the GOAT “retiring” (or whatever), the Season of Reckoning is upon Tampa Bay, a huge gaggle of important FA’s eyeing juicy worms elsewhere, little cap space—at this point can the team even sign its rooks?—and folks act like *all* the team needs is a massively expensive Big Name QB and the glory days return, high future draft choices be damned.
I would much rather this team build strength on the D and OLs with the draft and reasonable FA’s, that throw the future away with a massive Big Name QB cap hit.
But then again, I see the NFL as a TEAM sport, and while QB is important, he ain’t diddly without a solid team around him. Or, in the case of losing Wirfs for the playoffs, in front of him.
If this team kicks even a larger can down the road and truly rocket sleds into the deepest bowels of Cap Hell, I can see casuals condemning management for doing so, demanding a scalp.
I’m in the camp that while I’d be more than happy if a Big Name magically dropped into the Bucs’ lap with little cap or draft damage—which I do not see happening—I’d be fine with stocking the entirety of the team with talent and giving Trask a kick at the cat surrounded by solid talent, even if it meant Gabbart or Bridgewater for a half season.
February 23rd, 2022 at 10:34 am
Who cares about this “rebuild” or “reload” BS?
It’s seriously stupid…
We have 24 free agents and 2 restricted free agents. 11 of which were starters last season.
So half of our starters are currently not under contract with the Bucs.
Regardless of who is QB this team needs to be rebuilt this off season.
February 23rd, 2022 at 10:42 am
If Gabbert is the QB I will be hunting and or fishing every Sunday and not even bothering to listen to the game on Sundays, Mondays or Thursdays lol.
February 23rd, 2022 at 11:06 am
1G, why wait, please start now.
February 23rd, 2022 at 12:14 pm
It was fun while it lasted guys😂. I suspect we’ll slowly work our way back into the top 10 of the draft over the next couple of years. It’ll be the 2010s all over again. Oh well at least I got to enjoy a couple super bowl wins with friends and family.
February 23rd, 2022 at 12:29 pm
@ Cobra and TBBF
Agreed 100%.
February 23rd, 2022 at 1:20 pm
One of the few good things about Kyle Trask is the potential. Blaine Gabbert has NO potential we know that he is useless, we will be a 2 or maybe 3 win team with him quarterbacking us–he is only good for procuring us a #1 draft pick in 2023.
February 23rd, 2022 at 1:46 pm
Pretty bad if Trask can’t beat out Gabbert
I’d really rather bring in someone new like Wentz, Bridgewater, or Trubisky. They all have shown pretty big flashes before in their career, they’ve just never really been in a situation like the Bucs with the coaches and players we still have.
February 23rd, 2022 at 1:58 pm
If we don’t make a trade.
Ill take Mariota. He has won games in this league and has taken his team to the playoffs and won. Won’t be much of a cap hit. Gabbert has done jack spit in this league.
February 23rd, 2022 at 2:03 pm
SC Bucs Fan Says:
February 23rd, 2022 at 8:32 am
Joe in Michigan… Brady for Lance would get Licht GM of the year and a Nobel prize
^^^^^^^^
Right, not likely.
February 23rd, 2022 at 3:22 pm
Gabbert is not going to be the starting QB, period.
If you’re going to go with Gabbert, then it means you’re tanking – and if you’re going to tank, you tank with Trask, not Gabbert.
Gabbert or Trask you’re a losing team who isn’t going anywhere. Can Gabbert maybe get you to 5-12 vs Trask’s 3-14? Sure. Does it matter? No.
Again, I have no problems if the idea is to tank with Trask, use 2022 to clean up the cap, that was always the price of signing Brady. But the idea of 2022 being used to start Gabbert and not clean up the cap, that’s not acceptable.
February 23rd, 2022 at 5:23 pm
agree with Rod Munch tank with Trask!
February 23rd, 2022 at 6:19 pm
I agree with Rod. Think rebuild for the near future. Unload the old and often injured. Keep the best of the core talent to rebuild around. Let the over priced and under performing walk if somebody wants to overpay them. Draft the best studs available regardless of position. Sign some decent free agents that are not way over priced and still have gas in their tank. No more whiney head case free agents. Less finess and more toughness. The seasons get longer and the tiny dancers don’t last. I like blue collar smash mouth studs that play harder and talk less. Do what it takes to keep Gronk and sign anybody that even slightly plays as tough.
February 23rd, 2022 at 9:54 pm
firethecannons … ‘agree with Rod Munch tank with Trask!’
Patriots went 7-9 in 2020, the year that Brady left, behind Cam Newton (7-8) & Brian Hoyer (0-1). But they did manage to rebuild quite a bit of their roster that year.
Then in 2021 they went 10-7 as they continued to rebuild their roster. Their offense improved from #27 (326 Points Scored) in 2020 to # 6 (462 Points Scored) in 2021 behind rookie Mac Jones. He had a relatively unspectacular season, throwing for 67.6% with 22 TDs against 13 INTs. Pats helped him out some by running on 46.5% of their plays, with 24 rushing TDs. IOW they became a more BALANCED team than they had been. Of course it also helped that the Pats’ defense ranked #2 last season, only allowing 303 points. That was part of their rebuilding also.
I’m sure that starting Mac Jones was a big risk for Belicheck, but in preseason Jones apparently showed that he was in the hunt. No one in Bucsville has any idea if Trask would be able to work out the same in his now 2nd year, and it’s really disappointing to read arrogant comments like ‘Tanking with Trask’. I frankly don’t have a clue how well he MIGHT do, but I do know that if he wins a fair competition for starting QB, we’ll find out one way or another whether he’s the franchise QB we so desperately need.
And IF he isn’t, then MAYBE we’ll find the answer in whomever he competes with. And IF we end up doing crappy this year, regardless of who starts, then hopefully we’ll be in a better position in 2023 to find a better answer, whether it be via the draft (with a reasonably high pick) or in free agency (with more money available). There are no guarantees, for any team.
February 23rd, 2022 at 11:27 pm
It’s not a rebuild if you’re signing Godwin, Davis, Whitehead, Jensen, Gholston, Cappa, Fournette, Stinnie, Suh, etc… or most of the above… Doesn’t matter who the QB is… It may be a reload with a year to let a QB develop (Trask) or plan to draft a QB the following year. It’s not a rebuild if you have a ton of talent.
February 25th, 2022 at 9:49 pm
Deshaun Watson is not the answer. STOP.