Tom Brady is already the best QB in Bucs history. Yes, that includes Jameis Winston.
Tom Brady hasn’t even taken a snap in a Tampa Bay Buccaneers uniform and he’s already the greatest quarterback to ever play for the franchise.
Now, before you jump on me and talk about how that’s a ‘homer take’ or say that Brady is vastly overrated, make sure you read the rest.
Here’s a look at the three reasons why Tom Brady is already the greatest quarterback in franchise history before he even takes the field for the first time.
3. The Bucs don’t have a long list of historical great QBs
First, let’s start with the more obvious reason: It’s not like Tampa Bay has this great historical list of Hall of Fame quarterbacks.
Vinny Testaverde, Brad Johnson, Doug Williams, Josh Freeman, Steve Young, Trent Dilfer, Jameis Winston. Which name really sticks out to you as first-ballot Hall of Famer during their time with the Bucs?
Of course, Testaverde and Johnson had nice careers, but let’s not pretend that they were absolute gunslingers like Brady. Yes, Winston put up a lot of numbers, but don’t you have to win games to be considered an all-time great?
You see, the first problem with looking at things through an ‘all-time lens’ is realizing that there simply haven’t been all that many ‘all-time greats‘ at the quarterback position for the Buccaneers.
None of them have the legacy of Tom Brady, for sure, and that’s why this can be a discussion.
2. Brady put Tampa Bay back on the map
In a time where the Buccaneers had basically become forgotten losers in the NFL, Tom Brady elected to come to the franchise.
That means something.
Brady could’ve gone a number of places. He could’ve gone to Los Angeles. He could’ve stayed in New England. He could’ve expressed interest to head to Chicago and a number of other places. And they would’ve found a way to make it happen.
Despite this conception that he is ‘old and passed his prime,’ there is still no shortage of respect for Tom Brady. He put Tampa Bay back on the map and gave the franchise a much-needed boost in terms of respect and notoriety in a time where it was given none.
By just being here, Brady has already made the Buccaneers one of the hottest franchises in the league and has, in turn, made this team and organization better.
1. He’s already made an impact on the future
Obviously, we all want to see how Brady will perform once he gets on the field.
He may be a complete bust and his status will change. He may look like a renewed version of himself and absolutely light up the scoreboard.
Either way, Tom Brady’s legacy with the Buccaneers is gong to be much more than what he did on the field.
Brady put Tampa Bay on the map and that has led to several other veterans taking notice. That has led to young talented collegiate prospects taking notice. Don’t believe for one second that the ‘Brady effect’ will end in two seasons once his contract is up.
Brady made Tampa Bay a destination. He opened up the door for other free-agents and talented players to sign with the Buccaneers in the future. He opened the door for the Bucs to have a seat at the negotiation with athletes who never would’ve returned their phone calls previously.
That can’t be understated and it’s something that many Buccaneers fans simply don’t realize when it comes to the simple magnitude of having Tom Brady on your roster.