Left out.

An otherwise predictive Bucs quarterback report on NFL Network suddenly intrigued Joe with a name that was never mentioned.

Two years ago when retired (?) Bucs quarterback Tom Brady came to town, NFL Network reporter James Palmer was embedded with the team and was at each and every practice that August. So Joe can’t help but think Palmer cultivated a few credible Bucs sources at One Buc Palace during that time.

So it caught Joe’s attention when Palmer, in a report this afternoon on the NFL’s house organ of a cable outlet, did not once utter the name “Blaine Gabbert” when discussing options the Bucs have at quarterback this fall.

“It doesn’t look, from what I am gathering, that they are going to go the free agent route or they are going to go [get a quarterback in] the draft,” Palmer began “That leaves trade, or what’s on their roster.”

Palmer then began to break down how the Bucs have high hopes for Kyle Trask and how they believe he is as good as any quarterback who will be drafted next month.

Very interesting to Joe is that Palmer not once mentioned Gabbert. Now yes, technically, Gabbert doesn’t fall under “what’s on their roster.” Gabbert is a free agent. He’s not on the roster.

But Joe finds it odd that as much as Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht and Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians enthusiastically blubbered about Gabbert at the combine two weeks ago, Palmer totally ignored Gabbert as part of the Bucs’ quarterback mix.

And then when discussing trade possibilities, Palmer dropped the name Baker Mayfield.

So let Joe get this straight: In a discussion about Bucs quarterback options Palmer mentioned Deshaun Watson, Mayfield and Trask but fully omitted Gabbert. Odd.

Was that just a massive whiff by Palmer or is he getting intel the Bucs are not serious about all the Gabbert chatter?

You can see Palmer’s full report in the NFL Network video below.

What do the #bucs do at QB? Two options that don’t appear likely and two that could be in play. My report on @nflnetwork as we start our Free Agent Frenzy coverage. pic.twitter.com/7ttYZVSCg0

— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) March 13, 2022