If Tom Brady retires or signs elsewhere in 2023 free agency, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be desperate for a new starting quarterback.
It’s hard to envision head coach Todd Bowles wanting to move forward with veteran backup Blaine Gabbert or 2021 second-round pick Kyle Trask as his starting quarterback. And given the amount of veteran talent on both sides of the ball, it feels likely that GM Jason Licht would rather find a QB who could help the Bucs win now as opposed to drafting and developing someone.
Brady hasn’t announced his plans for 2023. But even if he opts to continue playing, it’s difficult to envision him re-signing with a disappointing Tampa Bay team that doesn’t look anything like a contender this year.
If the Bucs lose Brady and decide to bring in a new veteran signal-caller? ESPN’s Bill Barnwell brought up an enticing idea for the Bucs to acquire Las Vegas Raiders veteran QB Derek Carr:
“The Buccaneers have a veteran core on both sides of the ball, so I would be surprised if they went for a long-term project at quarterback. I suspect they’ll make a serious effort to bring back Brady, but they’ll be in the running for one of the other veterans in the market if he retires or heads elsewhere. This would be the perfect landing spot for Derek Carr, although a more realistic option might be Geno Smith or Jacoby Brissett.”
Back in the offseason, the Raiders handed Carr a three-year contract extension worth $121.5 million. The organization made a win-now move by acquiring Carr’s former teammate and longtime Green Bay Packers star, Davante Adams, in a trade.
But the Raiders have been one of football’s biggest disappointments this season, and it wouldn’t be surprising if GM Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels opted to start afresh at the game’s most important position.
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The Bucs remain the most talented team in an awful NFC South, so trading for a QB of Carr’s caliber could help them keep their short-term title window intact. Carr would join an offense consisting of two star wideouts in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
It’s also not crazy to think the Bucs and Raiders could simply swap starting QBs next year. Brady could be enticed by the idea of playing in Las Vegas with McDaniels, his longtime offensive coordinator in New England, and a deep supporting cast on offense.
