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- Should Tom Brady stay retired, the Buccaneers need a quarterback.
- According to a new report, they have their options in place.
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to figure out how to replace Tom Brady in 2022. According to a new report from Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, the organization has three potential options in mind.
First and foremost, the Bucs don’t want to count Brady out. They are leaving the door open for the G.O.A.T., should he choose to return.
However, if Brady remains retired, Tampa Bay has two veteran quarterbacks in mind. Both of them could be available via trade.
According to the report, the Buccaneers are in the process of doing “extensive homework” on Deshaun Watson. Watson is currently facing allegations of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior but has not been suspended by the NFL nor proven guilty at this point in time.
In addition, Tampa Bay is one of the teams that are expected to look into acquiring Russell Wilson. Although the Seahawks have not indicated that they plan to move their franchise quarterback, there have been rumblings about a deteriorating relationship between the two in Seattle.
Both Watson and Wilson have no-trade clauses and would have to sign on a deal. However, to play in Tampa would be enticing.
If Brady does not return to football and neither Watson nor Wilson are available, that leaves a few alternative plans. The Buccaneers could move forward with Blaine Gabbert, turn to 2022 second-round draft pick Kyle Trast, sign a veteran in free agency like Ryan Fitzpatrick or even Jameis Winston, or find a team willing to trade— perhaps for someone like Marcus Mariota in Las Vegas.