Conflicting reports have stated that Tom Brady both is retiring, and that he has not made up his mind regarding retirement. ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington had multiple sources say Brady is ready to retire. Brady’s father and his agent have each said those reports are false and that nobody knows whether he is retiring except him.
In case Brady does move on from the NFL, the Buccaneers need to be ready for a succession plan at quarterback. Here are five potential replacements for Tom Brady.
Kyle Trask
The Buccaneers put a potential plan in place by drafting quarterback Kyle Trask out of the University of Florida in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Tampa Bay famously brought back all 22 starters from the 2020 season to the 2021 season. They did not need much in the way of young talent to fill holes, which allowed them to draft Trask, who had slid down draft boards despite a good final season at Florida.
Trask and the Gators went 8-4 in 2020. He threw for 4,283 yards and 43 touchdowns on 301 completions. He only had eight interceptions on the season, as well. Trask has some excellent size, standing at over 6-foot-5 and features some surprising mobility. The Bucs have not needed him to take a snap yet, but there is certainly some upside to starting a young quarterback with a year of watching and learning from Tom Brady under his belt.
Blaine Gabbert
If Tampa does not want to start a completely raw quarterback in place of Brady, then they have the veteran out of Missouri, Blaine Gabbert. In 10 NFL seasons, Gabbert has played for the Jaguars, the 49ers, one year for Arizona and Tampa Bay. He even owns a Super Bowl ring by backing up Brady during the Bucs’ 2020-2021 run to winning it all.
Gabbert has a career record of 13-35 in 48 games started in those 10 years. He has thrown 50 touchdowns and 47 interceptions in those games. Those numbers suggest Gabbert would be a little more than a stop-gap option as the Buccaneers try to find their long term solution. However, he has experience not only in the league, but in this Bucs’ system.
Jimmy Garoppolo
The 49ers clearly and desperately want to move on from Jimmy Garoppolo. They traded up from the 12th overall pick to the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by giving the Miami Dolphins three first round picks. The Niners used that pick to take the most raw quarterback prospect, Trey Lance out of North Dakota State.
Moving that amount of capital to take a quarterback that hadn’t played a down of football in over 500 days screams that this organization wants to change it up. Garoppolo will almost assuredly be wearing a different jersey next year. It would be poetic if he were to succeed Brady after Brady allegedly wanted him shipped out of New England for threatening his starting job there. Plus, despite all the knocks on him, Garoppolo has played in a Super Bowl and made it to the NFC Championship in 2022. It could be a heady pick up by Tampa Bay.
Russell Wilson
While Garoppolo’s organization wants him out, Russell Wilson reportedly wants out of his organization. Wilson is tired of a bad defense and a bad offensive line, and may be ready to move on from the Seattle Seahawks. Since entering the league, Wilson is the most sacked quarterback in the NFL, despite his escapability.
There may be some huge roster shake-ups in Tampa Bay besides Brady retiring, but if the Bucs are able to bring in another elite quarterback, that talent bleed could be stopped. The offensive line is tailor-made to make Wilson comfortable, and the weapons on both sides of the ball can be considered some of the best in the league (if they stay). In short, the Bucs are among the Super Bowl favorites yet again if they can follow up Brady with Wilson.
Jared Goff
The rumor mill is replete with talk of the Bucs trading for former-number one overall pick and Super Bowl runner-up Jared Goff. He has a potential out in his contract for 2023, but the Detroit Lions, who just acquired him for Matthew Stafford and draft picks would have to trade him to Tampa if the change is made in 2022.
What’s surprising about this rumor is the absolutely massive contract Goff has attached to him. He carries with him a cap hit of over $31 million, and is coming off of a three win season with the Detroit. However, he still shows flashes of why he was drafted so highly and was paid all of that money to begin with. He is mechanically decent and can stay off the injured reserve, which is a plus. The problem here is the money. But, it is probably a rumor for a reason
Featured image courtesy of Getty Images
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