Since the retirement of Tom Brady, I’ve done a lot of thinking. By now, most of us know the landscape of available quarterbacks for the Bucs. In the draft, free agency or via trade, it seems unlikely that a savior will land in Tampa Bay. So what should the Bucs, with a win-now roster, an aging head coach and tons of talent, do at the game’s most important position?

First, they need to be honest about their franchise outlook. The Bucs’ mid-to-long term future is bright regardless of their record this upcoming season. They have a pair of the league’s best wide receivers, assuming Chris Godwin re-signs as expected. Even if they lose a player or two in free agency, their offensive line is a strong group, and they’ve shown the ability to evaluate and draft well for depth up front.

Yes, some pieces are needed on offense. But 4-5 Pro Bowlers is a great place to start.

Bucs CB Carlton Davis III – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

On defense, the outlook for some players remains up in the air. Free agency will determine exactly what this group looks like, but a nucleus of Carlton Davis III, Jamel Dean, Antoine Winfield, Jr., Shaq Barrett, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Vita Vea and, yes, even Devin White, is a pretty good group to build on. Lavonte David has maintained a high level of play while aging as well. And if Jordan Whitehead can be re-signed, the group will be even better.

No team in the NFL has drafted and used free agency as well as the Bucs over the past five years. And few teams have handled the cap as well, not giving out any bad contracts since 2017. Tampa Bay’s roster has plenty of talent to compete now, and in the future. Plus, the front office can be counted on to build a winner more than most.

Of course, none of that will matter without a top-tier quarterback. And without a future at head coach. In Bruce Arians’ offense, the Bucs rely heavily on their passing attack for success. That won’t change regardless of who plays quarterback next year. So who are the Bucs’ top options to acquire this offseason?

It isn’t pretty.

Top Quarterback Options For Bucs

In terms of on-field success, it would be awesome if Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson landed in Tampa Bay. But it’s pretty unlikely. Would Green Bay or Seattle really want to trade their franchise quarterbacks within the conference?

For the Packers, they’ll likely have a better suitor in Denver. And Rodgers is more likely to be on board with a trade to the Broncos, given that several of his former coaches are there now. So that leaves the Bucs on the outside looking-in on a potential Rodgers’ deal.

Seahawks QB Russell Wilson – Photo by: USA Today

The Seahawks should be more willing to partner with the Bucs than Green Bay. They aren’t going to compete in the NFC West regardless of Wilson’s presence on the team or not. Also, they should be desperate to acquire draft capital to begin their rebuild.

But Wilson’s rumored desirable destinations in the past have had little correlation to winning. If reports are true, it seems his top priorities are football and brand-building wherever he lands next. Major cities up north or out west seem to be more likely destinations.

Of course, the Bucs weren’t an option during these rumors due to Tom Brady’s presence. So perhaps Wilson would be open to such a move now.

On the field, Wilson’s deep ball would thrive in Arians’ offense. He’s an extremely aggressive thrower who certainly fits the scheme. He can also create outside of structure, which would be different from Arians’ typical quarterback. There is certainly a path to elite production for Wilson in the Bucs’ offense.

Of course, Wilson is also known for taking way too many sacks. Holding the ball too long will be a death knell in the Bucs offense. Can they get through to him in a way Seattle never really could? Can offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich get Wilson to utilize his check down and target the middle of the field more frequently?

I don’t think there is any chance the Bucs can land Rodgers. But if Tampa Bay can get Wilson, I’m all for it.

Yes, he hasn’t played as well over the past year – likely due to a thumb injury that cost him three games. But his talent is still obvious even at age 33. He’s been one of the best quarterbacks in the league for a decade. I don’t know what he’s going to cost, but it’s hard to foresee any option for the Bucs being better than Wilson over the next couple years. That kind of talent doesn’t become available very often.

Of course, Seattle has to actually eventually make him available. Given how they typically operate, that could also be a long shot.

Don’t Trade For Anyone Else

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins – Photo by: USA Today

The Falcons aren’t going to trade Matt Ryan within the division to the Bucs. Or at all, possibly.

The Raiders seem unlikely to part ways with Derek Carr either.

Minnesota will likely part ways with Kirk Cousins, getting what they can for him in the last year of his deal. But does Cousins really solve any issues for the Bucs?

Yes, they’d be a playoff-likely team with Cousins at quarterback. But he isn’t an ideal scheme fit at all, and the Bucs would still have little-to-no shot at a championship. Cousins doesn’t have that type of ceiling.

Tampa Bay can sign a free agent for cheap if they want. Jameis Winston or Carson Wentz if he’s released by Indianapolis, whatever. Neither are great options, and neither are going to get you to the Super Bowl.

Yet Blaine Gabbert hasn’t started a game since 2018. He hasn’t started more than half a season since 2012. Kyle Trask, last year’s second-round pick, does not seem ready. I understand bringing in a veteran with recent starting experience for cheap. Obviously you can’t ride into 2022 with those two options and Ryan Griffin.

But the key phrase there is, “for cheap.” If the Bucs can’t land a premier quarterback this offseason, the position becomes of little importance. Ultimately, this team’s goal should be to position itself for winning over the next 4-5 years. Not necessarily to position itself for winning in 2022. Without a great quarterback, that is unlikely to happen at a championship level.

Bucs Must Prioritize Rest Of Roster

If the Bucs can’t land Wilson, Rodgers or another unforeseen top quarterback, they need to focus on the rest of their roster. Tampa Bay currently has several key free agents to re-sign. Bringing back young studs like Godwin, Davis and Whitehead should be a priority. Brady’s retirement, along with Rob Gronkowski’s if it eventually comes, will open up space for spending elsewhere. Tampa Bay must not waste those resources on an average quarterback.

Given their current cap space, the Bucs have a unique opportunity to keep their young nucleus together. Bringing back Davis, Whitehead and Will Gholston on defense will help immensely. On offense, Godwin is the top priority. But more space due to retirements could re-open the door for one or both of right guard Alex Cappa and running back Leonard Fournette to return, too.

Bucs C Ryan Jensen – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Cappa is 27, and has been very durable in his career. Re-signing Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen would be great, but his price will be higher and he’ll be 31 in May. Can Jensen’s body, which has taken a beating the last two years, hold up for another full contract?

Aging players like Jason Pierre-Paul, Ndamukong Suh, Steve McLendon and Kevin Minter need to be allowed to walk. At the very least, wait out the market and re-sign them for cheap. All four are over 30 and may also retire. Pierre-Paul has already said he’ll consider it this offseason. Ultimately, the Bucs can replace all four on the field. The question will be who fills their roles in the locker room in terms of leadership.

There is no shortage of options. Few NFL teams have more young stars than the Bucs. Eight Pro Bowlers are under contract (Mike Evans, Tristan Wirfs, Ali Marpet, Vea, White, Winfield, David and Barrett) and Godwin is likely to return. Donovan Smith, Davis, Dean and Whitehead are all ascending players. And Tryon-Shoyinka has star potential if he can get his technique and timing right this offseason.

The reality is that a quick fix is unlikely to come for the Bucs this offseason. Tampa Bay’s front office must lean into that fact and accept it. If the Bucs can continue to build one of the best rosters in the NFL, it will give them a ton of flexibility when a top quarterback does come along. Speaking of which …

2023 Quarterback Outlook

Even if the Bucs land outside the Top 10 for the 2023 draft, they’ll be well-positioned to move up the board. Another strong draft plus key re-signings should have their roster loaded for a contender run in the playoffs. Tampa Bay should be willing to part with 2023 and 2024 draft picks in order to acquire the right top quarterback. That could happen in a number of ways, including free agency and the draft.

Rams QB Matthew Stafford – Photo by: USA Today

The Bucs preference will likely be to acquire a veteran. Currently, Matthew Stafford, Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Rodgers, Cousins and Carr are set to be free agents. Obviously, Murray will have his fifth-year option picked up, so take him off the list. Jackson is likely to get an extension. And Stafford will almost certainly be extended by the Rams this offseason. That’s a shame, considering he’s probably Bruce Arians’ dream quarterback. He would light it up in Tampa Bay.

It’s also very likely that Ryan will be available in the 2023 offseason too. The Falcons can finally move on from him without major cap concern. The same could be said for Wilson, whose dead cap hit in Seattle comes way down in 2023, the final year of his deal. The Seahawks could still trade him, but likely for less than his current cost.

In the 2023 draft, the quarterback class is expected to be strong. That could quickly change, of course. But right now, Ohio State C.J. Stroud, Alabama’s Bryce Young and Boston College’s Phil Jurkovic highlight an impressive group.

I have no idea what will happen between now and 2023. But I know there will be more options than there currently are for the Bucs.

Tampa Bay’s outstanding roster construction once lured Brady and a few other solid pieces to Tampa Bay to win a Super Bowl. If they play their cards right this offseason, the Bucs can become that destination again for the next top quarterback. But they need to be smart this offseason.

Brady isn’t walking through that door, literally or figuratively. The sooner the Bucs can accept that, the closer they’ll be to competing for championships in the near future – even if it isn’t in 2022.