The offseason frenzy is in full effect, only this time around, the most important decision for the Buccaneers is up for debate.
It’s early March and we still aren’t clear if five-year QB and No. 1 overall draft pick Jameis Winston will be back in Tampa.
This offseason started with Winston being the clear favorite to return (at least as the media buzz was concerned) to the Bucs now becoming “hot” on a different NFL quarterback.
Reports this week surfaced from Mike Sando of TheAthletic that an unnamed GM has the Buccaneers “hot” on Saints backup Teddy Bridgewater.
The Buccaneers better cool off on Teddy real quick if they want to keep this fanbase afloat.
With names available like Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Philip Rivers in free agency, for the Bucs to be hot on a backup QB who hasn’t really produced in the NFL is a bit of a let down.
I get that Bridgewater led a Minnesota Vikings team to an 11-5 record but he only threw 14 touchdowns and had 9 interceptions that season. It’s not a stretch to say that he doesn’t fit the Bruce Arians style offense. Arians has always been led by a gunslinger, big risk taker at quarterback and Bridgewater doesn’t fit that mold.
I’ll even go as far as saying both wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin would be crippled with Bridgewater at QB.
Mike Evans is a possession receiver, the type you throw the ball up to and let him go make a play. Winston has done that with him for five years and it’s led to Mike being arguably a top 5 WR in the NFL today and they have combined for five-straight 1000+ yard seasons.
Mike and Jameis benefit largely off each other, so you have to think Mike would love to have No. 3 back at the helm.
The Buccaneers went out and made a push to pull Bruce Arians out of retirement because he is known as the “QB whisper.” This is the reason they put all that money into making him the head coach.
He has the tough task of either molding the future through the draft or trying to take a 30 interception guy and somehow finding a way to make a playoff push. Either way this Buccaneers team is a QB away from the playoffs, with weapons all over the field this decision will be one that will change Tampa Bay history one way or the other.