The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be seeing their final season with these five players. Here’s a look at five Bucs who may be done in Tampa following 2020.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are considered one of the favorites to compete for a postseason spot and a Super Bowl berth, according to Vegas odds.
The Buccaneers had one of the most successful offseasons in the league and certainly the most exciting in franchise history.
As we begin to look ahead, though, there are many Buccaneers who are currently on the roster for the 2020 season that may not be there following this year.
Here’s a look at five Bucs who are likely done in Tampa Bay following the 2020 season.
5. Andrew Adams
Andrew Adams signed a one-year, $1.01 million deal with the Bucs this offseason, but it might be the final time we see him in Tampa Bay.
If those talented young safeties take the next step forward and Antoine Winfield Jr. takes on the starting spot that the Bucs are hoping he will before the end of the year, Adams could be looking at a situation where he would be able to get more contract value and playing time elsewhere.
It’s not to say that Tampa Bay couldn’t re-sign the veteran safety, but something tells me they’ll be much more inclined to stick with the young guns.
4. Blaine Gabbert
As much as Buccaneers fans may like Blaine Gabbert as the second-stringer at quarterback, the truth of the matter is that he’s just keeping the spot warm for the future of the franchise.
It’s my opinion that we’ll see the Bucs draft a quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft and that will be the guy they have slated as the future for the franchise.
As a result, Gabbert could be gone and we could see the rookie step in to take over the back-up spot behind Tom Brady during the 2021 season.
3. Kevin Minter
Just like Adams and Gabbert, Kevin Minter signed a one-year deal with Tampa Bay, but that may be as far he gets.
Minter was a second-round pick back in 2013, but has never lived up to that selection. He’s been a solid second-stringer and a nice depth piece, but not a game-changing linebacker as many hoped he would have been.
Minter has an opportunity to prove just what he can be this season, but I think the veteran- who will be 31 after this year- may be looking elsewhere, especially if Tampa Bay elects to address the linebacker position early in the draft.
Minter has a chance to be back just because of the fact that there is always room for a depth piece behind Lavonte David and Devin White, but the Bucs may be able to find a younger option for the same price.
2. Ndamukong Suh
I know that this is one that will be met with a whole spectrum of opinions, but the truth of the matter is that the Buccaneers will need to save cap space and Suh may be the guy that has to go.
The veteran defensive lineman signed another one-year deal, but I think we could see Tampa Bay address the position in the draft and find a younger option to build that front-seven.
Suh has become a fan favorite and will continue to be, but he is aging and this could be a decision that the franchise has to make in favor of saving cap space and adding more youth to the defense.
1. Rob Gronkowski
Rob Gronkowski’s contract runs out following this season and there’s no way in the world that Tampa Bay can afford to re-sign him for another $10 million deal.
While Gronk may be willing to take less money, he might also be looking at this season as a ‘one-and-done’ type of deal.
Gronk isn’t coming back looking to play for several more seasons. He wanted one more opportunity to play with his former teammate and friend Tom Brady, and potentially win a Super Bowl.
Depending on how the 2020 season goes, we could see Gronkowski choose to retire again. That being said, Bucs fans should- without a doubt- enjoy seeing him on the field while they can because you never know if this will be it for the legendary tight end.