The Tampa Bay Buccaneers looked poised to repeat as Super Bowl champions when they dismantled the Philadelphia Eagles during Wild Card weekend, going up 31-0 before taking their foot off the gas in the fourth quarter. However, their hopes of repeating were dashed in the Divisional Round by the eventual champion Los Angeles Rams.
Los Angeles went into Tampa Bay and held on at the end after blowing a big lead. Now, the Buccaneers will be faced with some difficult decisions this offseason to reshape the roster for the 2022 season.
The biggest hole to fill will be at quarterback, as Tom Brady announced his retirement. In addition to Brady, the Buccaneers have numerous starters hitting free agency. They went all in to win in 2021 and repeat this season that they are now facing some salary-cap crunches.
Without ample cap space, it will essentially be impossible for the Buccaneers to bring back their entire starting lineups for the 2022 season, as they did in 2020 and 2021. What can we expect to see them do this offseason? Here are three bold predictions for Tampa Bay this NFL offseason.
3. Multiple Starters Depart In Free Agency
The Buccaneers were the first team ever to win a Super Bowl and then bring back every starter on both sides of the ball. This offseason, that will not be the case as Tampa Bay has some players that can cash in as free agents.
Wide receiver Chris Godwin will be one of the players that depart in free agency. Some teams need wide receivers and have a lot more money available to spend. At least one of their offensive linemen hitting the open market in guard Alex Cappa or center Ryan Jensen will leave as well.
On defense, cornerback Carlton Davis will be the highest-profile player that leaves in free agency. EDGE Jason Pierre-Paul, fresh off the first playoff loss of his career, will also move on.
2. Rob Gronkowski Stays Put
The Buccaneers may need to redo their tight end room this offseason. Both Rob Gronkowski and O.J. Howard is entering free agency, so they could be in the market for a replacement.
The courtship of Gronkowski will be something to keep an eye on all offseason. It will be interesting if anyone can convince him to continue his career, as he has only played on offenses led by Tom Brady in his 11 seasons in the NFL. He has retired once, and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if he retired a second time, possibly for good.
But, he will put off retirement for at least one more season. The Buccaneers will be able to convince him to return for the 2022 season and turn down any other offers that he is receiving from other teams. His familiarity with the organization and scheme fit will be enough to get Gronkowski back in the fold for at least one more season.
1. Tom Brady Unretires
Tom Brady has left the door slightly ajar in regards to him coming back to play in the NFL again. He will remain retired for a few more months, but once the regular season gets close, Brady will make a triumphant return to be the starting quarterback of the Buccaneers.
Brady will miss a majority of the offseason program but come back in time to ramp things up for the regular season. It is something we have seen veterans do in the past looking for a raise and Tampa Bay will be thrilled to get him back in the fold.
As long as Brady is under center, the team will have a chance to compete. If he does remain retired, they will bring back another familiar face to play quarterback in Jameis Winston.
Winston was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers out of Florida State. He will be a free agent again this offseason and will return to the team that he spent the first five seasons of his career with to take over the starting job once again.
