The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are unexpectedly in the market for a quarterback this offseason following the surprise retirement of Tom Brady. Brady decided to retire following the team’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round of the postseason, putting a bow on his 22 season career.
While the door was left slightly ajar when it comes to making a return, the Buccaneers cannot count on that happening. They need to operate as if Brady is not coming back and find someone to fill the void they now have under center.
Head coach Bruce Arians has talked up backup Blaine Gabbert, saying he has never had a chance to play with a team this talented. However, if the Buccaneers want to remain competitive, they will look elsewhere for a starting quarterback.
A second-round pick was used on Kyle Trask in the 2020 NFL Draft, so he could factor into the competition as well. To use a pick that high on a quarterback usually means the franchise sees something that will at least lead to him having a chance to start in the future.
However, if he is not ready, they will need a veteran to step into the starting role. Gabbert wouldn’t instill much confidence, but someone like Deshaun Watson certainly would.
Over at ClutchPoints, Watson was suggested as a trade target for the Buccaneers as one potential blockbuster deal to shake up the NFL. Given his off-field issues, as Watson is facing 22 lawsuits and sexual assault allegations, he may not be going anywhere anytime soon.
That needs to get straightened out first so he can continue his NFL career. Once that is behind him, he will likely push to be traded again, as he requested one from the Houston Texans but they have yet to oblige.
If the Buccaneers could land Watson, they’d be among the favorites for the Super Bowl again despite Brady’s retirement. Watson, at this stage of his career compared to Brady, could make the Tampa Bay offense even more explosive as he has proven to be one of the best quarterbacks in the league despite the Texans’ ineptitude to building a competitive roster.
Adding Watson to a group that has Mike Evans but could also have Chris Godwin, Rob Gronkowski and Leonard Fournette, should free agency pan out well, would keep the Buccaneers on tier with the other top teams in the NFC. They wouldn’t skip a beat despite losing the greatest quarterback of all time to retirement this offseason.
