Buccaneers: Veteran free agents that are done in Tampa Bay
By Rob Leeds
The Buccaneers can’t keep everyone.
This offseason will be marked by many difficult decisions by the Buccaneers to make their roster better for the future, and bringing players back is just as important as knowing when to let others walk.
Letting guys go that have been a part of such a magical time for the franchise is a difficult but necessary process. While none of these players are likely to be fan favorites, their departure still comes as the less fun side of the NFL business. Here are some of the most likely candidates to not get a new contract from the Bucs this offseason.
Player #1
The Buccaneers don’t need three quarterbacks on their roster unless one is a rookie that is learning to take over down the road. The Bucs have Tom Brady and Blaine Gabbert, who has also earned an extension, and Ryan Griffin is the odd man out.
Griffin is the same age as Gabbert without any of the same abilities as a backup, and the Bucs need to go a different direction with their third quarterback spot if they keep three on the roster.
The smartest decision for the Bucs is to draft a young quarterback to learn behind Brady for a season or two before handing over the reins, and Griffin soaks up too much money to justify remaining in Tampa any longer. Perhaps the preseason star can find work elsewhere where he can earn a legitimate shot to see the field, but that chance won’t come here.