Its New Year’s Eve at the time of this writing, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should have some resolutions. Here are the goals of 2023 for the Buccaneers.
Ah New Year’s Eve, as of this writing, we are still hours away until the ball drops to 2023 and the next day the ball kicks off for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and NFL as a whole. While this writer is reflecting on what he wants to accomplish in the Jordan year, the Buccaneers should also be doing the same. So with that said, we are here to help them out and put the list together while they prepare for the Carolina Panthers. Credit to us for being about the #team.
Here are the Buccaneers New Year’s Resolutions for the year 2023.
Buccaneers to win the NFC South
This should be obvious. If the Bucs beat the Panthers, they are NFC South campions, and hosting a playoff game seemingly against all odds. With the game taking place on January 1st, 2023, this is the first item on the list.
Buccaneers to win Super Bowl LVII
Obviously this feels like a long shot. However, if you get in the playoffs and your main goal isn’t to win the Super Bowl then what are you elven doing? Besides, Tom Brady is quarterback, and we know he’s thinking it.
Buccaneers to figure out what they have in Kyle Trask
Now we’re onto things beyond the 2022-23 NFL season. Brady is likely not long for Tampa Bay, which means the Bucs will likely be exploring all options at quarterback. There are likely to be a ton of veteran options they could bring in, and depending on how the season ends, potentially to draft. Speaking of the draft, the Buccaneers spent a second round pick on Kyle Trask in 2021. Whether they bring in a veteran or not, they can use a new veteran or even Blaine Gabbert as some sort of bridge until they figure out what to do with Trask. They can play him in spot duty, or just outright start him, so they can proceed with future plans at quarterback. Regardless, they can’t do anything until they know what they have in Trask.
Buccaneers should try to re-sign Mike Edwards
Mike Edwards is an unrestricted free agent, as is pretty much every other defensive back on the roster not named Carlton Davis and Antoine Winfield. The two veterans the Bucs brought in, Logan Ryan and Keanu Neal, will probably be allowed to walk after this year, in favor of the ball-hawking Edwards. The secondary has long been the part of the defense with room to improve, and keeping both starting safeties into 2023 would go a long way.
Buccaneers will probably have to choose between two corners
Speaking of which, corners Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting are also both set to be free agents. Chances are the Buccaneers will have to make a decision on which one to bring back, and it’s one they shouldn’t take lightly. Dean played a lot early over Murphy-Bunting, but the playing time has since evened out. Both have flashes, but can also be inconsistent at times. The Buccaneers can always take their chances in the draft for a cornerback, but either way at least one of these veterans should be brought back.
Buccaneers need to stay relevant in 2023 and beyond
It’s no secret that when Brady arrived in Tampa Bay, it brought some much needed relevance to the franchise. We don’t have to dwell on the, shall we say, “checkered” history of the franchise, but the arrival of the GOAT has been a breath of fresh air. If/when he does move on, the Bucs need to do all they can to maintain relevance, and that starts with competitiveness. If the team can stay competitive and in the thick of playoff races, Floridians and other fans would feel more inclined to show up and sign up for season tickets, in an effort to keep the Bucs franchise they love in the national consciousness. The maintaining of competitiveness and relevance of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should be the top New Year’s resolution for 2023 after the 2022 season concludes, and can’t be treated like the basic “I’m going to lose weight and go the gym” that us normal folk try to subscribe to.
Happy New Year’s everyone, let’s have a 2023 and beyond.