The Pewter Plank
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Blow it up: 5 steps to a Tampa Bay Buccaneers rebuild

By Cory Kinnan

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans wearing paper bags mourn a loss Dec. 26, 2004 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The Carolina Panthers defeated the Bucs 37 to 20. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans wearing paper bags mourn a loss Dec. 26, 2004 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The Carolina Panthers defeated the Bucs 37 to 20. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 29: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walks on the field during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 29: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walks on the field during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /

Step Two: Let Jameis walk, bridge at quarterback

The second step in the plan after this year, if it continues on this path, would be to part ways with Jameis Winston; at this point it may be mutually beneficial if both parties move on. The Buccaneers should not, however, rush to pick a quarterback this year as only Tua Tagovailoa has separated himself other than Joe Burrow (whom Arians likes), who started the season graded out as a relative late round flyer.

In such a case, the Bucs should look for a bridge quarterback to bide them time until the right guy comes along, more than likely in 2021. This was the case in the 2017 draft when the Browns opted for defensive end Myles Garrett over quarterbacks Mitchell Trubisky, Patrick Mahomes, and Deshaun Watson, and trading back when they could have drafted Carson Wentz.

While they may now look back and prefer Mahomes, they were not panicked to select a quarterback, but rather opted for the surefire pass rusher. Garrett is now tied with Bucs’ edge rusher Shaquil Barrett for the most sacks in the league, while they still managed to land Baker Mayfield in last year’s draft.

For a rebuilding team, finding a quarterback in year one of the plan does not have to be the top priority. Instead sign a veteran who can fill in for a year or two like Tyrod Taylor and then look towards the next year.

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