The Buccaneers were close to shipping off O.J. Howard to Washington for Trent Williams. Will these trade rumors sit well with the tight end?
Before the Buccaneers acquired tight end, Rob Gronkowski, from the New England Patriots, the team was on the verge of trading their former starting tight end.
According to a report from ESPN, O.J. Howard was on his way out of Tampa Bay.
“A source told ESPN that the Bucs were in discussions to trade Howard two months ago to the Washington Redskins in exchange for offensive tackle Trent Williams, but talks fell through. The Bucs have until May 5 to determine if they’ll pick up the fifth-year option on Howard’s contract for 2021.”
Howard’s name has been dangled in trade speculation since the 2019 trade deadline when Tampa Bay was pursuing a second-round pick for the former first rounder. With the acquisition of Gronkowski, and the restructuring of Cameron Brate’s contract guaranteeing his stay with the Buccaneers in 2020, Howard‘s days with the team appear to be numbered from the outside looking in.
According to Tampa Bay Times Rick Stroud, the Buccaneers won’t just give Howard away and are comfortable keeping him for two tight end sets alongside Gronkowski. But given Arians lack of usage towards the tight end position, and Tom Brady already steering the organization to acquire his former tight end, Tampa Bay would be wise to move Howard now before losing him for nothing eventually.
Howard himself can not be pleased with how his tenure with the Buccaneers is unfolding. Injuries have derailed what appeared to be such a promising career for the tight end coming out of Alabama. Inconsistent play in Tampa Bay also factors into the equation, and after being a minimal factor in Arians’ offense last season, a change of scenery should be on Howard’s mind.
The Buccaneers are right to not give Howard away for nothing. Gronkowski hasn’t played since 2018, so insurance can be argued as needed for a team in win-now mode. Fans want to see Howard paired with a more tight end friendly quarterback in Brady, but the situation could become an unnecessary distraction from the former first-round pick’s camp if he isn’t moved given the lack of opportunities with a stacked position group.
Given Howard’s potential, while being on a rookie contract, should garner suitors, especially in a weak tight end draft class. Tampa Bay is playing this Howard situation wisely monitoring the trade market for his services. Those talks could heat up during the NFL Draft.
Howard has to be entertaining the thought of playing for a new team. With his name constantly being thrown into trade speculation, it’s only a matter of time before he isn’t a Buccaneer anymore. There’s plenty of teams in the league, especially Washington, who have already tried to acquire Howard, with vacancies at tight end.
It’s time to turn the page on Howard’s career in Tampa Bay. The tight end can give the Buccaneers the compensation they need to help their new win-now philosophy while the team can give Howard his deserved change of scenery as well.