NFL Trade Deadline: Buccaneers trade and free agent needs

Quarterback

The Buccaneers need to make a move soon for a quarterback, but obviously not to replace Brady. Tom Brady is still playing at a surprisingly high level, but there is only so long that he can maintain it. The Bucs need to start planning for their future, and making a move before the deadline could be the best way to address this.

While quarterback prospects in the draft look like the likely direction for Tampa Bay to address depth, they could be out of the running for one of the top options, and a current player could be the better option.

The Buccaneers smartly signed Josh Rosen to their practice squad, and he should get a real chance to compete for the job down the road, but he may not be the answer. While his situations with each team were far from ideal, Rosen has failed to impress so far, and the Buccaneers want as many options as possible.

There aren’t many free agents available at the moment, but the Bucs could try to target Sam Darnold or Nick Mullens in trades, as both have shown more upside in the NFL than Rosen, and both deserve a better chance than they are receiving now.

Tampa Bay doesn’t need anyone to come in and serve as an immediate game-changer, but Brady and Blaine Gabbert are both in the later years of their career, and the Buccaneers want to be prepared.