03-11-2020, 10:02 PM
Tom Brady Rumors: Buccaneers 'Are Going All In' to Sign Free-Agent QB
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can be added to the list of serious suitors for Tom Brady when free agency begins.
Per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, the Bucs are going "all in" to sign the six-time Super Bowl champion.
Stroud cited Bucs head coach Bruce Arians' history of coaching a number of future Hall of Fame quarterbacks, including Ben Roethlisberger and Peyton Manning, as well as Tampa Bay ownership's desire to sell more tickets among the key reasons for the team's pursuit of Brady.
As the offseason has gone on, it's become more clear the Buccaneers will at least let Jameis Winston test the open market.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Feb. 28 that Tampa Bay was "strongly considering" using the franchise tag on edge-rusher Shaquil Barrett.
Stroud noted it's "no secret" that Arians prefers to move on from Winston, and general manager Jason Licht is deferring to his head coach about the quarterback position.
As for Brady's market, ESPN's Dianna Russini reported Tuesday on Get Up that his "interest in other teams outweighs the amount of teams" interested in him.
Russini noted Brady is also looking for a team that will give him control over the roster and be involved in play-calling decisions.
The Buccaneers could certainly use a rush of adrenaline to end their current malaise. The franchise has had just three winning seasons since 2008, hasn't made the playoffs since 2007 and hasn't won a playoff game since beating the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII.