Potential impacts of recent retirement on the Buccaneers

The Buccaneers just lost one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL to retirement. Here’s how that could impact the team going forward.

The offseason just keeps getting worse for the Buccaneers. Unfortunately, its only been two weeks. It feels like forever when something bad happens every week to take this team further and further out of contention down the road.

Ali Marpet just retired as one of the most under-rated players in the NFL. The Buccaneers will struggle to find a replacement for such a player in the prime of his career, and this decision could lead to other impacts on the franchise.

Is Tampa really a free agent destination?

During the Brady era, everyone wanted to come play for the Buccaneers on a team-friendly deal. Now, does anyone actually want to come play for this team if a young guy or Blaine Gabbert as the face of the franchise?

Our money is on not. And the loss of Marpet only weakens the offensive line even further (with Alex Cappa or Ryan Jensen as potential losses), which means quarterbacks may be wary of coming to Tampa again.

The Buccaneers need to make a run at Alex Cappa

Ryan Jensen probably proves a bit too expensive on the open market as one of the best centers in the game, but Alex Cappa should be a great mix of talent and price that gives the Bucs a chance at keeping some part of their IOL intact.

Cappa could get paid more and get a better chance at winning with a different team, but Tampa at least has to try to keep another one of their young offensive guys at home.

Young guys are going to get their chance

We aren’t too sure how this will all play out just yet, but names like Aaron Stinnie and Robert Hainsey should start to pick up some attention as some plug-in options on the line that don’t break the bank.

Ali Marpet does free up some cap space 

No that we wanted it to happen this way, but Marpet’s retirement leaves the Bucs with a decent bit of money to invest in some other areas if they are happy with some combination of depth guys to step in on the interior of their line.

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