Buccaneers willing to trade O.J. Howard for ‘substantial offer’

After severely misusing their former first round pick, the Buccaneers are now willing to deal O.J. Howard for the right price.

The trade deadline is vastly approaching, and ESPN’s Jenna Laine has reported that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are willing to trade tight end O.J. Howard for a “substantial offer.” After putting up over 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns over the last two seasons for the Buccaneers, Howard has been completely and utterly misused by Bruce Arians and the current coaching staff.

While Howard’s usage is the highest that it has ever been, his production has also taken a significant drop under Arians and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich. Thus far, seven games into the 2019 season, Howard has recorded just 13 catches for 176 yards; he has yet to find a way into the endzone for the Bucs.

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A former first round pick back in 2017, the Buccaneers are using him as a third tackle on the field rather than the mismatch nightmare that he actually is. If the Bucs have no intention to take advantage of one of their best weapons, then a trade is the best option. The Patriots tried to acquire Howard but were unsuccessful last week, but now it is a mystery if they would be able to get him should they up the ante.

"“Rumors continue to swirl around OJ Howard as a trade candidate. Two weeks ago I was told he wasn’t available. I’m now told that the only way the Bucs consider trading him right now is for a substantial offer. Multiple teams have inquired” (via Laine)."

Given that Howard was a first round pick just two years ago, the Bucs are probably looking for a first rounder or a second round pick plus a little extra. Howard was out during yesterday’s loss to the Titans with a hamstring injury, and many wondered if it was more of a preservation move for a future potential trade rather than an actual injury.

Given that the Bucs are 2-5 and in need of a rebuild, it makes no sense to trade one of your youngest, most talented assets. So here we sit, a day from the trade deadline, and one of Tampa’s shiniest assets is being dangled in front of other teams like a carrot.