Buccaneers find excellent option to fill major offensive need
By Rob Leeds
The Buccaneers have found another talented option for Tom Brady.
It was bound to happen eventually. The Buccaneers have finally agreed to terms with their first outside free agent of the offseason.
After playing the Falcons twice a year for the past four seasons, the Bucs have seen plenty of action from wide receiver Russell Gage, and that helped them make the decision to bring him in to compete for the third role in 2022.
If the decision hurts a division rival, all the better, right?
Gage may not be the flashiest option on the market, but the price tag for receivers was reaching a tipping point. The Jaguars seemingly decided to overinflated the market for everyone in search of a pass-catcher by wildly overpaying on several mediocre options, and the Bucs being able to find a guy like Gage is a great look from the front office.
Tampa will need as much help as possible from their depth receivers this season; we all saw what happened in the playoffs with Mike Evans as the lone reliable option. Gage brings a decent resume and a high upside as a third guy to elevate the overall talent of the group, and he has consistently improved since coming into the league.
Over the past four seasons, Gage has accounted for 2,065 yards and nine touchdowns.
Again, this signing was never about blowing anyone out of the water. The Bucs were able to keep the best receiver duo in the league and likely have Rob Gronkowski coming back. All Tom Brady needed was a third receiver with more talent and consistency than what the Bucs already had on the roster, and that is exactly what they get in signing Gage.
Expect for Russell Gage to get some decent looks during camp and the start of the season as Chris Godwin is returning from his major injury.
This move likely means that the Buccaneers don’t target another major receiver in free agency with so many quality pieces already on their roster, but they could surprise everyone with a high-profile draft pick or one more proven piece before free agency comes to a close.
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