As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare for their upcoming season, there are still many different pieces they need to find if they want to make another run at a Super Bowl with Tom Brady at the helm.
Despite the talent of their roster as a whole, one issue that emerged last year and had a massive impact on the team’s success was depth, specifically at the wide receiver position.
For what felt like the entirety of last season, the Bucs were playing at 70-80%. This is still good enough to beat most teams but it will simply not be adequate enough if the Bucs want to win another Super Bowl.
Given the age of the Bucs’ crucial offensive pieces like tight-end Rob Gronkowski as well as the fragility of other key players like Chris Godwin (through no fault of his own), it would behoove the Buccaneers to acquire as many talented assets as possible to bolster their offensive depth.
One potentially great option for doing just that would be the signing of wide receiver and former Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman.
Though Edelman has been retired for a year now, he is in almost the exact same situation that Patriots teammate Gronkowski was in two years ago just before signing with the Bucs.
Why would Edelman come back? Well, why would Gronk come back? They love playing football with Tom Brady.
To add fuel to the fire, Edelman has teased his return to play with Brady, culminating in a video posted by Brady this week of Edelman running routes for Tampa’s captain.
Still the best way to get some cardio in… @Edelman11 pic.twitter.com/vT3pCWs6VF
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) March 21, 2022
Edelman would be a boost to the team’s offensive depth and talent pool. He already has nearly unmatched chemistry with Brady, probably surpassed only by Gronkowski, and his targets with defensive backs focusing on the other receivers could elevate Edelman beyond any season in his career.
Edelman is a perfect fit for what the team needs in the absence of Antonio Brown this season. A great route runner with hands and a talent for finding the first down line will thrive in an offense that has opposing defenses focusing on shutting down every other player.
Similarly for Edelman, the Bucs would be the best move for him if he were to return considering it would provide him with a great chance at another Super Bowl, a limited role so he wouldn’t destroy his body, and an opportunity to play with two of his great friends again.
Crazier things have happened.
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