While Winston, Rivers, Brady etc will cost 25-30 million per year, a rookie QB will be 5 million a year max.
The first argument would be that we are mortgaging our future and we are not just a QB away. But what if we were?
What if.. instead of committing 30 million to a QB, we resign JPP, Shaq, and Suh. Then go out and sign a starting RT and a FS, maybe a veteran CB too. Our defense would be ready to roll. Offensively we could use another RB, and possibly a #3 WR depending on the Perriman situation - but for the most part the only big hole on the team would be QB.
A jump from 14 to 3 (Detroit) would probably cost our 1st and 2nd round picks both this year and next. Yes, that is a lot. But we are talking about the final piece of the puzzle. I think Herbert should be that guy, but I wouldn't be mad if it was Tua either.
Plus, remember that we could easily recoup this year's 2nd round pick by trading OJ Howard. We could use that pick to take another RB/WR/OL.
I don't believe we should keep Winston and the more I think about Rivers/Brady the less I see them in Tampa. Brady is staying in New England, all of this free agency talk is just for leverage with New England. Rivers is going to Indy where they have a good OL and an offense he is familiar with. Besides, those guys are statues and this downhill, vertical passing offense needs a guy who can move and extend the play. Unless Arians has a QB crush on Marcus Mariota, we need to go with a rookie. Herbert has the size, the mobility, and the arm to lead this offense, and the QB whisperer will work his magic like he did with Manning, Roethlisberger and Luck.
The ball is in your court Bucs, make the right decision.
