What Tom Brady’s Retirement Means for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the NFL

Tom Brady still had a year remaining on his contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and his play had shown no real signs of slipping even at 44-years-old. In fact, the more than 5,300 yards he threw for in his final season was the highest total he’d reached in any of his 22 NFL seasons.

But, after a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round of the 2022 NFL Playoffs, Brady announced his retirement with a post on his social media.

“This is difficult for me to write, but here it goes: I am not going to make that competitive commitment anymore,” Brady wrote. “I have loved my NFL career, and now it is time to focus my time and energy on other things that require my attention. I’ve done a lot of reflecting the past week and have asked myself difficult questions. And I am so proud of what we have achieved. My teammates, coaches, fellow competitors, and fans deserve 100% of me, but right now, it’s best I leave the field of play to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes.”

Brady leaves the game as the all-time leader in passing yards and touchdown passes. He also won seven Super Bowls. The passing numbers may fall, but it is hard to imagine another NFL star matching him in championships. He’s pretty inarguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history and has had one of the greatest and most iconic careers in all major professional sports. 

After his retirement, even Brady’s icy relationship with the team he had most of his professional success with seemed to thaw. Brady left New England, reportedly due to differences with coach Bill Belichick. Belichick released a statement praising Brady after his retirement, and Brady responded by thanking him and calling him “the greatest coach in NFL history.” 

Brady’s legacy, and in particular, what his absence will mean to the league, will be discussed heavily throughout the offseason. In particular, what impact is absence could have on league ratings is already being covered.

But the more pressing question is what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will do to replace him. Brady’s decision to sign with the team rescued them from a recent history that was bleak. But Brady alone didn’t elevate the franchise. They have a great coaching staff and a roster that is still loaded with talent, even if Brady and possibly tight end Rob Gronkowski retire, although the Bucs are hoping Gronk returns.

Even before Brady officially announced his retirement, coach Bruce Arians said the team would explore contingency plans if Brady did decide to step away. The team’s current backups are Blaine Gabbert and Kyle Trask. Gabbert is a former first round pick who has starting experience in Jacksonville and San Francisco, but it was underwhelming. Arians only seemed to give a modest endorsement of the incumbents on the roster when asked by USA Today whether he’d be comfortable with what the team currently has behind Brady.

“I like what we have, but again, you never know what’s behind Door No. 2. We kind of went down that road two years ago and there was Tom Brady. We’ll have to wait and see,” he said.

So, that “wait and see,” suggests Tampa will explore the market for quarterbacks in the offseason. Here are four they could look at.

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Rodgers himself is reportedly at least considering the idea of retiring. 

It will take a lot to trade for Rodgers, and any team that pursues him will likely have to pursue some other players, though. In particular, Rodgers reportedly has a strong preference for playing with star receiver Davante Adams and receiver Marquez Caldes-Scandling if he does play next season.

The easiest place for all of those factors to come together would be Green Bay, especially considering the Packers don’t seem likely to let Adams slip away from them. But, as the Brady signing shows, the Bucs have been aggressive in pursuing the accessories to make a star quarterback happy. Gronkowski and Antonio Brown were both added to the team because of Brady’s influence. 

It would take a lot to pull off a similar feat with a new star quarterback, but Tampa has shown the willingness to go big before. They also have a roster that is Super Bowl-ready with the right quarterback, so a huge move like this can’t be ruled out.

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

Wilson’s situation is trickier, since it would require a trade with the Seahawks. If the Bucs would be willing to sacrifice significant draft capital to get him, it could be pulled off.

The Seahawks have thus far seemed unwilling to part with Wilson, but for the right price and if Wilson is adamant he wants out, Tampa could be a logical landing place.

Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders

Carr isn’t quite the tier of quarterback as Rodgers or Wilson, but he’s long been one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the league.

Depending on the direction of the Raiders, he may or may not fit into their future plans. He led them to the playoffs this season, but a new coach and front office could elect to start rebuilding. Carr wouldn’t require as much of a return in a trade as Rodgers or Wilson would, so he’s a realistic target if the Raiders decide to part with him.

Jimmy Garoppolo, San Franscisco 49ers

Garoppolo seems like the most realistic option. He’s heading for a departure from San Franscisco despite leading the team to the NFC Championship Game. Garoppolo has played all season known the team drafted Trey Lance last year to eventually replace him.

Garoppolo has been what he’s always been this season – a mostly reliable game manager who is occasionally mistake-prone. But he’s also a player who can thrive with talent around him. 

His asking price will likely be lower compared to other quarterbacks potentially on the market, and the Bucs are the exact type of loaded roster that can work with his deficiencies. The Bucs are also the current favorite to land his services.