With the NFL Trade Deadline just a few days away, speculation is flying around as the winds of the rumor mill blow harder and faster.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers seem to be a prime candidate to make a move before the deadline, as the combination of injuries and a division-leading record suggests something might happen. Don't get too excited, though, as no matter how many hypothetical trades the Bucs show up in, the reality of the situation is we likely won't see as much action.
It's exciting to talk about, and nobody can be faulted for getting in on some trade fodder. It's part of what makes football so much fun, but it's highly unlikely Tampa Bay actually gets involved, given the track record this front office has established.
Don't expect the Buccaneers to pull off a huge trade before the deadline
Mostly it's history working against this plan, as Jason Licht simply does not make in-season moves. In fact, he rarely makes trades at all; Licht has only made two in-season trades and four moves where he's acquired played during his entire tenure running the Bucs' front office.
Date | Player | Trade |
|---|---|---|
Nov. 1, 2016 | Jonathan Banks | Traded to Lions for a conditional 2018 draft pick |
Mar. 22, 2018 | Jason Pierre-Paul | Acquired from Giants for 3rd & 4th round picks in 2018 draft |
Aug. 31, 2019 | Jerald Hawkins | Acquired from Steelers for a 6th round pick in 2021 draft |
Oct. 19, 2020 | Steve McLendon | Acquired from Jets for a 6th round pick in 2022 draft |
That's not a lot of action, and hardly enough evidence to suggest a huge move is going to come before the deadline.
While it's exciting to think about the Bucs making a trade before the deadline, the precedent just isn't there to sell it as hard as some might be. This isn't Madden, and Jason Licht has proven over the years he knows how to build a roster a lot better than just about anybody -- fans and fellow general managers alike.
That doesn't mean the idea of Tampa Bay making a trade is totally out of the question, though.
However, if a move happens, it won't be some sort of massive blockbuster that lands the Bucs a top-tier player; rather, it will be along the lines of the McLendon trade back in 2020. That could still be a very impactful trade, even if it's lower stakes, but expecting the Bucs to pull the trigger on a deal that lands them Logan Wilson, Trey Hendrickson, or even Jaelan Phillips might be expecting a little too much.
There's an obvious need for the Bucs to add players, but this is also a team that has prided itself on internal development. Almost the entirety of Tampa Bay's roster is homegrown, and those additions that have come externally haven't been massive swings at the time they were made.
Lest we forget how much the Bucs were trolled for signing Baker Mayfield, even though everyone in Tampa is getting the last laugh.
While the possibility exists that the team could make a trade, expecting it to be a big one is terribly misguided. Chances are the Bucs will rely on internal depth to fill any cracks as players like Luke Goedeke, Bucky Irving, and Chris Godwin get healthy, and the valuable draft capital Licht has used to build a Super Bowl contending team will remain in the war chest.