5 players who can replace Tom Brady as the Buccaneers’ QB in the 2023 season
Here are the five quarterbacks that can replace NFL legend Tom Brady as the quarterback for the Buccaneers.
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Tom Brady (Image via 11Alive.com)
Tom Brady announced his second and ‘final’ retirement from the NFL on February 1, 2023. Brady spent 23 years in the league playing for just two teams and retired as the greatest quarterback of all time. His glorious career can be broken down into three separate Hall of Fame resumes, such was the dominance of Brady in football.
The legendary signal-caller spent the first two decades of his career with the New England Patriots. In Foxboro, Tom Brady helped establish the Patriots Dynasty where they won six Super Bowls and were the most indestructible team in both conferences. However, Brady and the Patriots decided to go their separate ways after the end of the 2019 season.
After Brady became a free agent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went all in and signed the veteran quarterback as they were confident that he still could win a Super Bowl. The 45-year-old signed a two-year $50 million fully guaranteed deal with the Bucs and as the team predicted, Brady did win the Super Bowl that year and became the oldest quarterback in history to lift the Lombardi Trophy. After completing his two-year deal, Brady announced his retirement from football but returned after 40 days.
However, the return did not treat him well as Brady played the worst season of his career and ended 2022 with an 8-9 losing record and a playoff loss. Post the wild card loss, Tom Brady said that he won’t be returning back to football.
Now, the Bucs who enjoyed being amongst the top of the NFC and a Super Bowl contender each year with Brady under center have returned back to their old status of an average team. The franchise is looking for a stalwart quarterback for the upcoming seasons and here are the five players we think could replace Tom Brady and carry the momentum of this team forward.
Five players who could replace Tom Brady as the Bucs starting QB in 2023
1. Kyle Trask
The Buccaneers selected Florida quarterback Kyle Trask in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft. Trask has been the backup quarterback for Tampa since Tom Brady was still QB1. Trask definitely learned a lot from Brady that will help him once he is named starter. The 25-year-old has the potential to be a great leader and signal-caller which was evident in his last season at Florida. He had a 68.9 completion percentage and threw for 4,283 yards, 43 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions.
Trask already has worked with Bucs’ elite receivers like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin which can ease off the load from him. Leonard Fournette can take over if Trask falls short during the games. Additionally, the Bucs are $55 million over the cap space so trading or signing a new quarterback is out of the question right now. Kyle Trask is still on his rookie contract and is the team’s best option under center right now.
2. Jimmy Garoppolo
Jimmy Garoppolo has parted ways with the 49ers and is looking for a team to play for in the 2023 season. Jimmy G was the heir to Brady in New England and it would make perfect sense if he takes over from him in Tampa Bay as well. He has shown on more than one occasion that he is a capable quarterback.
Garoppolo rallied the 49ers to Super Bowl LIV but fell short against the mighty Kansas City. But with the right combination of coaches, players, and a supporting cast, Jimmy Garoppolo can do wonders. With him under center, Tampa Bay will easily be the best team in the division and can have a shot at playoffs again.
3. Derek Carr
The Raiders left go of Derek Carr who led them for nine years after he was unable to lead them to a Super Bowl or even an AFC Championship appearance. Carr has consistently put in the numbers year after year without a single drop in production. Many suggest that the reason Derek Carr wasn’t successful in Las Vegas was because of their defense. The defense has been at the bottom of the table ever since Carr joined the team. The Bucs have a great defense backing them and with Carr’s addition to the roster, they can become a perennial playoff contender. He also gives Tampa Bay the best chance to succeed in the NFC.
4. Jacoby Brissett
Jacoby Brissett was also on the same bench as Tom Brady in New England and started in three games during Brady’s Deflatgate suspension. Brissett showed his skills under center as quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in 2022. In the 11 games Deshaun Watson was suspended, Brissett was QB1 and went 4-7.
The 30-year-old showed a glimpse of a dependable quarterback during the games he started. However, he needs a great supporting cast in O-line, receivers, and a string running back core. The Bucs check all these boxes and have the perfect environment for Jacoby Brissett to succeed for a year or two until they find a permanent solution.
5. Anthony Richardson
Anthony Richardson completely dominated the 2023 NFL Combine among quarterbacks. The 6-foot-4 quarterback showed speed, agility, and great arm strength which are all the markings of an elite quarterback in the league. Tampa Bay has the 19th overall pick in the 2023 draft and if luck is on their side, Richardson will still be available until then. With the 21-year-old under center, the Bucs can rebuild the team and assemble a roster that is capable of winning the Super Bowl.
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Yash Karandekar
(1023 Articles Published)