The Bucs dealt with quite the offseason in 2022. They saw four retirements, an unretirement, a coaching change and a whole lot of turnover with their roster personnel in the short span of about six months. So, by comparison, the 2023 offseason can’t be nearly as tumultuous. Right?

It shouldn’t be, as last offseason simply can’t be replicated. But Tampa Bay still faces plenty of questions once this season comes to an end — whenever that may be. Just take a quick glance at Pro Football Focus’ recent list of Top 10 2023 free agents and you’ll see where some of the Bucs’ biggest questions begin. Tampa Bay has three players in that top 10.

Will The Bucs Be Faced With A Question Mark At Quarterback?

Bucs QB Tom Brady – Photo by: USA Today

The first Bucs player on PFF’s list is quarterback Tom Brady, who comes in at No. 3. He sits behind only Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson and Seattle signal-caller Geno Smith. And Brady is likely only that low on the list because it’s uncertain if he’ll play an age 46 season in 2023 or if he’ll retire after 23 legendary years. Writes PFF’s Brad Spielberger:

“Brady has an argument to be the top player on this list, but given he may very well retire, we’ll let the young bucks go ahead of him this time around. Brady’s 77.9 passing grade ranks eighth on the season, and the 18 drops by his wide receivers are the third-most on the year. Granted, he has thrown a league-leading 427 passes this season, averaging over 48 attempts per game from Week 3 to Week 9.

“Brady’s 2.3% turnover-worthy play rate is the sixth-lowest among qualifying quarterbacks, further illustrated by his streak of 399 consecutive passes without an interception that ended in Germany when Seattle Seahawks linebacker Cody Barton picked him off over the middle. This was the second-longest streak in NFL history, just three attempts behind the record of 402 set by Aaron Rodgers in 2018.”

The Bucs’ future very much hinges on Brady’s future. If he retires — or if he decides to test free agency and ends up elsewhere next year — Tampa Bay will face a daunting quarterback change. Will the team roll into next fall with veteran Blaine Gabbert (also a free agent) or 2021 second-round pick Kyle Trask under center?

The other options are unclear. The quarterback market in free agency is thin, and the Bucs are unlikely to be picking high enough to find their quarterback of the future in the 2023 NFL Draft. General manager Jason Licht, head coach Todd Bowles and the rest of the Bucs’ decision-makers will eventually need to find a post-Brady plan. Will that be next spring? Or will they be able to punt on that for another year and see what Brady can do in a fourth season in Florida?

Will Tampa Bay Lock In Its Starting Cornerback Duo For The Future?

Bucs CB Jamel Dean – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The other two Bucs on PFF’s top 10 list play on the defensive side of the ball. Coming in at No. 7 is cornerback Jamel Dean, who has been one of Tampa Bay’s best and most consistent players in 2022. Fellow Auburn alum Carlton Davis III got paid last offseason, and now it’s time for Dean to get his payday this offseason. Through 10 games this season, he’s earned it.

Dean could find a contract similar to what Davis got from the Bucs earlier this year. From Spielberger:

“Dean carries some injury history but has outperformed Davis since entering the league in 2019, earning coverage grades above 75.0 in every season thus far.”

Signing Dean to a long-term deal would ensure that the Bucs have their top two corners locked in for the foreseeable future. That would be important for Bowles’ defense. It would also prove to be another win for Licht’s draft history, as the 2019 third-round pick would be another hit on the general manager’s record.

“Dean takes some risks attempting to jump routes that at times can lead to explosive receptions over the top, but his size, athleticism and physicality at the line of scrimmage enable him to disrupt opposing wide receivers’ releases and will have a lot of teams interested. He doesn’t have great ball skills — though he does have two interceptions on the year — and can be a bit stiff in the hips, but we’re nitpicking here with a guy who can match up well with a lot of the top big-bodied wide receivers across the NFL.”

Longtime Buc Set To Become A Free Agent Once Again

Bucs Lavonte David – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Following Dean on the list is veteran linebacker Lavonte David at No. 8. The career Buccaneer signed a new two-year deal after he earned a long-deserved Super Bowl ring two seasons ago. He’ll be 33 in January, but it’s hard to imagine the longtime captain finishing his career anywhere else. Spielberger has high — and warranted — praise for David:

“One of the best off-ball linebackers of his generation, David is still playing at an extremely high level and may benefit from New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis and Los Angeles Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner playing very good football well into their 30s on recently signed contracts of their own. Potentially losing a step or two with age can be negated by elite play recognition and instincts, both of which David has in spades.”

David definitely isn’t as fast as he once was, and he hasn’t been providing the Bucs with as many splash plays in recent years. But he’s still a fantastic linebacker, one who has been underrated for a significant portion of his career. PFF rightfully grades him well and recently included him on its midseason All-Pro team.

“David’s 86.5 coverage grade through Week 10 ranks third among off-ball linebackers this season, and his elite 92.9 mark over the past four seasons is the top mark at the position.”

David spoke about the goals he still has left back in September during in appearance on Bussin’ With the Boys. At the time, he said he was taking everything year by year.

“I still feel like I’ve got some more stuff to accomplish,” David said at the time. “I’m just trying to solidify myself as one of the best linebackers that’s played the game,” David said. “I obviously want to make the Hall of Fame, so I’m trying to pad those numbers a little bit. A goal of mine was obviously to reach the 40-20 club, with the 40 sacks, 20 interceptions thing. But I don’t know how much longer I’ve got to play to do that. It’s just how far my body takes me and how my mental is. I’m a family man now, so I’m gonna go from there.”

It’s not hard to see Tampa Bay keeping Dean and David on board in 2023. The bigger questions surround Brady. But what’s clear is that the Bucs’ questions this offseason will extend far beyond these three high-profile free agents.