The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were expected to be quite this offseason, but they’ve already made some moves that seem like winners.
For as much excitement as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had this offseason, the flip side is beloved players being let go.
This past week, the Bucs officially parted ways with Cameron Brate and Leonard Fournette. Both were on the 2020 Super Bowl Championship team and were key contributors during these recent years of exceptional football.
Tampa Bay also traded Shaq Mason in what amounted to a pick-swap but managed to re-sign Lavonte David, Jamel Dean, Anthony Nelson, and Nick Leverett. It also appears as though Baker Mayfield will be joining the team, bringing a strong arm, and experience that can help lead an offense.
There will be a competition for the starting QB job in 2023. which is an exciting development. It will not be given to the “expected” starter, no the starting job will be earned through competition on the gridiron. It’s a difficult decision for the coaches. Unproven potential in Trask vs an NFL veteran who still is playing in his prime.
So far, I love the Bucs approach to free agency. This is a get-the-salary cap-under-control type of year, so the biggest talent available is probably not going to fit the current cap situation in Tampa Bay. Re-signing quality NFL players, World champions, Lavonte David, and Jamel Dean is a quality roster move by the GM. $35 million of this year’s salary cap is going to pay Tom Brady who is now officially retired from the NFL.
Hopefully, this is a reloading year and not a rebuilding year. Whatever type of season is on the horizon for the Bucs. The salary cap situation is what it is, and was worth it! There is a cost to every NFL franchise for assembling a super bowl championship team and the Bucs are not an exception.
Forever Super Bowl 55 world champions!