The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have some major decisions to make. What would the battle plan look like if the Bucs signed Tom Brady at quarterback?
The clock is about to strike midnight on the new league year.
As a natural skeptic of Tom Brady coming to the Buccaneers, we all need to be aware of what the Bucs can look like with Brady under center.
Naturally, Brady will command enough money to limit what the Buccaneers to add significant depth, so every free agent signing and draft pick matters so much.
As always, before we begin: Spotrac has the Bucs with $84.8 million in cap space and includes $7.3 million for draft picks and we will include another 3 million for injury players. Meaning the Bucs will begin free agency with $74.8 million in cap space.
Cuts, Restructures, and Trades
Cuts
Ryan Griffin– $1.65 mil in cap savings
MJ Stewart: $500K savings after dead cap is included
Kendell Beckwith– 750K in cap savings
Future’s contracts/players who wont make the 52 man roster that currently count against the cap include: CB DeAndre Hall, TE Jordan Leggett, OT Anthony Fabiano, WR Jaydon Mikens, Aaron Stinnie, LB Noah Dawkins, OLB Quinton Bell, CB John Franklin, Cyril Grayson, Herb Miller, Spencer Schnell, OT Brad Seaton, OG Zach Bailey, Pat O’Connor, and Aca’Cedric Ware. I also included Cody McElroy in this section but he could also become a practice squad candidate.
Notable players not included in these cuts: CB Mazzi WIlkins, DL Jeremiah Ledbetter, and Edge Khazin Daniels. Cutting them would save an additional $1.75 mil if needed.
Cutting these players saves $10.55 mil
Restructures
Cameron Brate: Cam decides to take a $2.5 mil pay cut in 2020 to stay in Tampa.
Will Gholston: Will takes a $1.25 mil restructure to where is his salary is full guaranteed ($3.5 mil after the restructure) for the 2020 season, similarly to what happened with Beau Allen in 2019.
Mike Evans & Ali Marpet: Both players are staples to the Bucs roster, by restructuring their deals to create $5 million each to be pushed into the future, creating the $10 million required needed to secure the QB position.
Trades
No player trades. Draft trades will be shown in the draft section.
Cap Space remaining: $101.99 mil