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How Panthers trading for No. 1 pick impacts Buccaneers plans for the future

By Josh Hill

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers line up during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers line up during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 27: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens carries the ball during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on November 27, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 27: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens carries the ball during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on November 27, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images) /

Should Bucs answer Panthers by trading for Lamar Jackson?

This would be quite the answer, but also an overreaction to the Panthers landing the No.1 pick. There isn’t an arms race happening in the NFC South, whatever happens next is likely going to be a slow burn.

Carolina needs to draft the right quarterback, and this class is generally considered to be second-rate compared to the ones prior or the one next season. That doesn’t mean Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud won’t be great quarterbacks the Bucs need to worry about for the next handful of years, but this isn’t the same as when Tom Brady came to the division.

Nobody in the NFC South is particularly good, and the Saints still seem to be the team to beat after signing Derek Carr — which tells you exactly where the bar is in the division. Carolina is playing the long game and the Bucs should too. Trading for Jackson would once again give Tampa Bay the best quarterback in the division but it would be an overreaction that might cost them down line. Two first-round picks would be needed to make the deal happen, plus the money needed to pay Jackson which might mean some of the pieces that make the Bucs competitive wouldn’t be retained due to salary cap constraints.

Trading for Jackson was already a conversation before the Panthers trade, but making a move in reaction to it is a bit much.

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