It’s the tweet that rocked the sports world. Unless you have been on a media time-out, Tom Brady is coming out of retirement and will be returning as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting quarterback!
These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands. That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG pic.twitter.com/U0yhRKVKVm
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) March 13, 2022
Yup, its true. The G.O.A.T. is back! OK so now that Tom Brady is going to be playing his incredible 23rd season with the Bucs, what do the Pewter Pirates do next?
Start Crunching The Numbers And Sign Their Free Agents
The Bucs have a lot of key players that are free agents as of today. Brady needs the tools that helped the Buccaneers win Super Bowl LV. Thankfully All-Pro Center Ryan Jensen re-signed with the Bucs Sunday afternoon after Brady called him to tell him about coming back. Jensen could have gotten $15 million a year in the free agent market but he took less to play with Brady.
The Buccaneers have at least 8 other unrestricted free agents that they need to sign.
Rob Gronkowski
Leonard Fournette
Carlton Davis
Jordan Whitehead
William Gholston
Alex Cappa
Jason Pierre-Paul
Ndamukong Suh
The Bucs also got some salary cap space with the restructuring of Vita Vea’s contract and putting Ali Marpet on the retirement list. Still, Jason Licht has to get creative with the money!
Get Some Defensive Help On The Cheap
If The Bucs manage to keep some, if not all of their defensive free agents, then its a miracle. However if they have to rebuild the defense, then they can do it with the NFL draft. Jason Licht has had some solid success lately with defensive picks that have made immediate impacts. Look no further at the impact made by Devin White and Antoine Winfield Jr. made out of college.
The Buccaneers can also shop the free agent market for veteran defenders who are willing to take a pay cut to join Brady and the Bucs for a possible Super Bowl ring. Never underestimate the allure of The G.O.A.T.! Some players who may like to join the Brady Bunch are:
Dont’a Hightower
Justin Houston
Jadeveon Clowney
Stephon Gilmore
Patrick Peterson