National negativity pouring on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is not 100% unanimous.

Doubts about the Bucs swirled nationally amid quarterback Tom Brady‘s retirement and viral missteps by Bucs quarterbacks in organized team activities. Adam Rank of NFL.com sees how it could be different if Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield can reignite his career in Tampa.

“There hasn’t been a downgrade at the headliner position like this since Rachelle Lefevre was replaced by Bryce Dallas Howard for the role of Victoria in the ‘Twilight’ series,” Rank wrote. “All right, that’s not completely fair. I’ve always sort of liked Mayfield going back to his time at Oklahoma. And he did play pretty well in his five games with the Rams last season.”

“It would take an absolute cynic to point out he played his best football of the season with Sean McVay as his head coach,” Rank added. “I’m trying to turn over a new leaf and bring some positivity. I absolutely won’t point that out. He does have some talent to work with in Tampa Bay. I’ll keep an open mind.”

Mayfield, if he wins the starting job, will have Pro Bowl-quality wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to throw to plus Russell Gage. Second-year offensive skill players running back Rachaad White and tight end Cade Otton could both take steps forward.

Tampa’s offensive line has a Pro Bowl talent in tackle Tristan Wirfs and center Ryan Jensen. New Bucs guard Matt Feiler had a solid stint with the Los Angeles Chargers, and fellow guard Cody Mauch could shine as a rookie and Luke Goedeke could bounce back from a rough rookie campaign.

New Bucs OC Dave Canales Could Make a Difference

In addition, Mayfield will have the benefit of working with new Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales. Last season as a quarterbacks coach, Canales helped Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith revive his career and win Comeback Player of the Year.

“He’s going to be an NFL head coach if he does the same thing with Mayfield this year,” Rank wrote about Canales. “I know I’m coming off as really mean toward Mayfield. I’m trying not to be. But the 42-year-old will indeed be a hot coaching candidate if the Bucs are successful this season.”

Rank noted that Smith thrived with Canales in Seattle partially because the Seahawks produced a top-10 ground game with 4.8 yards per carry. Mayfield could get run support in Tampa with White and Chase Edmonds, but the Bucs running attack finished last in 2022.

Baker Mayfield for Bucs MVP

Rank projects Mayfield as the team’s MVP but not without mention of the Bucs quarterback battle set for training camp July.

“I mean, Mayfield could easily be replaced by former second-round pick Kyle Trask, who is also competing for the starting job,” Rank wrote. “So, let’s just say that this award will come down to the quarterback position. There are still good players on defense, but to get back to last year’s level, the quarterback will need to play pretty well.”

As former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star running back Leonard Fournette remains unsigned, fellow former Bucs star tight end Rob Gronkowski sees potential.

“Lenny is an absolute tank who’s versatile to be a three-down back and make a big play when you need it the most,” Gronkowski told The Score’s Jordan Schultz. “His unique skill set in the pass game at the size he is makes him a mismatch at all times.”

Gronkowski knows Fournette well as a player since the two competed together with the Bucs in 2020 and 2021. Fournette emerged as a playoff superstar in the 2020 postseason, but his regression and big contract led to his release after the 2022 season.

Schultz proposed the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, and New England Patriots as “best fits” for Fournette. Last season, Fournette rushed for 668 yards and three touchdowns, but he also caught 73 passes for 523 yards and three scores.

“Gronk specifically mentioned that Fournette provides a certain comfort and reliability in the game’s biggest moments,” Schultz wrote. “Not only is that hard to find, but it has a domino effect on the entire offense, regardless of who’s under center.”

“Considering his elite pass-protection ability and soft hands out of the backfield, Fournette — only 28 — still brings a lot to the table at this stage in his career,” Schultz added.

Fournette simply got cut loose in the worst possible year. The NFL has a dearth of notable available running backs due to big contracts: Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook, and Kareem Hunt.

“The NFL’s running back market has never experienced such an immense dead zone financially,” Schultz wrote. “Ironically, running the football hasn’t been this in vogue in more than a decade, with rushing attempts across the NFL hitting an 11-year high in 2022.”

When and where Fournette lands remains to be seen, but he could wait until a need arises during training camp, which kicks off next month. However, if teams continue on last year’s trajectory for running the ball, Fournette can find a roster spot somewhere.

Bucs a Fit for Ezekiel Elliott, Jordan Schultz Says

Among available running backs, Schultz considers Elliott a good option for Tampa Bay. The Bucs had a league-worst rushing attack in 2022, and only second-year back Rachaad White had a substantial rushing load.

“He’s still a good player. He’s still gonna help you win football games,” an unnamed NFL executive told Schultz. “I think he’s been one of the best pass-pro running backs during his career. That’s a ‘want-to’ thing, and he’s always had that desire.”

“You’re not signing him to be the player he was at 23, 24 years old. And that’s okay. He can still shoulder the load when you need him to. I don’t really have doubts about that,” the executive added.

Leonard Fournette Still Not Over Postseason Loss

Amid Fournette’s recent appearance on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football“, recounted something that arguably bothers him more than waiting for a new team. That’s the 2017 AFC Championship Game loss to the Patriots.

Fournette, a rookie with the Jacksonville Jaguars at the time, and had a shot at the Super Bowl before a late rally by the Patriots, 24-20. Then-Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack stripped the ball in the fourth quarter when his team had a 20-10 lead, but the referees called the play dead before the fumble counted.

“Myles Jack was not down,” Fournette told the GMFB hosts. “That’s the famous quote we always say. He was not down.”

The Patriots, led by quarterback Tom Brady at the time, scored on that drive instead. Brady and Fournette ironically joined forces in Tampa in 2020, which led to a Super Bowl win and two NFC South division titles.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could soon be handing a new contract to a familiar star.

As reported by Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times, negotiations for wide receiver Mike Evans’ third contract has begun, with a willingness to get a new deal done this summer. Stroud further notes that Evans could sign a deal similar to that of Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams, who inked a five-year, $140 million contract with $65.67 million guaranteed.

“What would a new contract for Evans look like? The best comparison may be Davante Adams,” wrote Stroud on Saturday, June 17. “He signed a five-year, $140 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders with $65.67 million guaranteed.”

Mike Evans Could Be NFL’s Top-Paid Receiver With New Deal

Evans is due to earn $23.7 million this season in the final year of his current contract. He’s currently the second-highest paid receiver in the league.

If Evans were to earn $28 million per year — as Adams does — he’d be the highest-paid receiver in the league.

It’s worth mentioning that Tampa Bay signed Chris Godwin — who was coming off of a serious knee injury — to a three-year, $60 million contract with $40 million guaranteed last offseason.

“Mike loves Tampa,” Evans’ agent Deryk Gilmore said. “I know the feeling is mutual. His production is the best of all the guys out there. … The Bucs’ ownership has to love that Mike isn’t even an off-the-field conversation but an on-the-field terror. I’ve got to think they would like to lock him up to a third deal.”

Mike Evans Remains Top-Tier Receiver Entering 10th Season

Evans — who will turn 30 years old this August — has been one of the NFL’s most prolific receivers since entering the league in 2014. In fact, he’s the only receiver in NFL history to post nine consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to begin his career.

Despite coming off of a down season, Evans still posted a productive year by most receivers’ standards. The veteran receiver posted 77 receptions for 1,124 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Although his touchdown total was a regression from the 14 touchdowns he posted during the 2021 season, he caught his most passes since the 2018 season.

His number of touchdowns declining can be attributed to less touchdowns overall across the board for the Buccaneers during the 2022 season. The 2022 Buccaneers threw for just 26 passing touchdowns in comparison to the 2021 squad, which threw for 43 total touchdowns.

According to Pro Football Focus, Evans posted a 74.0 offensive grade last season. That grade mirrors the 73.2 offensive grade he posted during the 2021 season and the 74.1 offensive grade he put up during the 2020 season. In other words, Evans isn’t regressing.

“Obviously, he’s talented,” Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said. “He’s a heck of a pro and competitor. When you stay with one team and you put up those type of numbers, that says a lot about you from a character standpoint and a talent standpoint. He continues to do it.”

Considering the Buccaneers are going through a reload of sorts with Tom Brady now retired, it looks like Tampa Bay plans to have the best wide receiver in franchise history retire as a member of the Buccaneers.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might have an additional answer at quarterback in their own backyard.

Beleaguered quarterback Carson Wentz recently began working on throwing and film study with former Bucs head coach Jon Gruden in Tampa according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. A former MVP candidate and one-time Super Bowl champion, Wentz looks to revive his career after subpar endings with three other teams.

Sound familiar? That’s also the story of Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield in the team’s daunting task of replacing Tom Brady, who retired on February 1.

Mayfield and third-year quarterback Kyle Trask competed for the job in organized team activities and mandatory minicamp this month. Neither inspired confidence — albeit on the national stage — and the Bucs have another inexperienced third quarterback in John Wolford.

Only Mayfield has substantial starting experience out of those three quarterbacks, and Wolford has three career starts in seven games and Trask has only taken 10 career snaps.

Wentz could add to the competition with his size, arm, and experience. While he hasn’t played at an MVP level since 2017, he still averages over 10 yards per completion and more than 3.8 yards per rushing attempt.

Tampa Bay wouldn’t need to pay much for the former No. 2 pick and North Dakota State star. Given his 2-5 in 2022 before the Washington Commanders released and no landing spot since, a team could arguably give Wentz an inexpensive “prove it” deal.

Wentz is willing to take on a backup role according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Teams  interested in Wentz, according to Fowler at the time of the report.

Whether or not Wentz can prove doubters wrong remains to be seen. Gruden was once considered quarterback guru before his involvement in an off-field controversy suppressed his NFL coaching career.

If the Bucs grabbed Wentz, he realistically would compete with Wolford for the second backup job. However, Wentz could step in as an experienced starter if both Mayfield or Trask get injured or falter and if Wentz can beat Wolford for the third-string job.

Bucs Starting QB Situation Remains Unsettled

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said who will win the starting job between Mayfield and Trask has yet to be determined. Bowles indicated that June’s practices didn’t suffice for the final decision.

“Some time during training camp or right after there will be a decision made,” Bowles said via Sports Illustrated’s Bucs Game Day. It’s still a competition right now. We’re not going to award [anybody] in shorts and T-shirts. In any competition, there’s waiting involved. You have to see who wins.”

Baker Mayfield, Kyle Trask Trending in Similar Directions

Mayfield has shown an “edge” to his game, Fowler reported on “SportsCenter” on Sunday, June 18. The former No. 1 pick looks to bounce back from a year of bouncing around three teams and losing two starting jobs.

“I’m told that Baker Mayfield has been working like a player who’s lost two jobs in the past, both in Cleveland and Carolina, and doesn’t want that to happen again,” Fowler said on “SportsCenter” via Bleacher Report’s transcription. “He’s had a nice edge to him behind the scenes. This is a quarterback that’s had a new offensive coordinator nearly every year of his career. So, he knows how to work not only hard, but fast.”

Fowler also noted that Trask has put in significant work and “overhauled his mechanics” from years past. The Bucs notably drafted Trask in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he sat behind Brady for two seasons.

“He’s shown some good accuracy at times in OTAs and minicamp and plans to put up a good battle,” Fowler added via Bleacher Report’s transcription. “And this is a quarterback competition that could go well into training camp, I’m told; probably not an early decision because they want to see what both players can do in nearly every scenario.”

While Tom Brady remains retired, his pending ownership role with the Las Vegas Raiders could lead to the field according to Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby.

The Raiders’ two-time Pro Bowl defensive end talked Buffalo Bills star linebacker Von Miller during “The Voncast” podcast when the subject came up. Brady retired on February 1 from his 23-year playing career as quarterback of the New England Patriots followed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“Yeah, the possibility [of Brady’s return], obviously we got Jimmy G,” Crosby told Miller. “He’s coming back. He’s gonna be healthy. But you know, you never know what’s going to happen. Tom Brady’s a competitor. The greatest of all time. At the absolute worst, if everything doesn’t go the way it’s supposed to and we need him, I would not be surprised if Tom Brady shows up in a Raiders jersey.”

Brady doubled down on staying retired during a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, but the question hasn’t gone away. The seven-time Super Bowl champion previously retired for 41 days in 2022 and returned to play one more year for the Bucs.

Brady’s part ownership of the Raiders is pending approval via a vote by the NFL’s other 31 owners.

Tom Brady Explains Why He Chose the Raiders

While the “Tuck Rule” in a 2002 playoff win over the Raiders arguably launched Brady’s career, his connection to the team goes back further. He explained his decision to take on part ownership in the Raiders during a recent interview with The Associated Press.

“I grew up in the Bay Area. My favorite team was the 49ers. The team across the bay was the Raiders. And, you know, they’re an iconic NFL franchise,” Brady  told The Associated Press. “When I look at a lot of the people that have impacted the NFL over a long period of time in the most positive way, Al Davis is one of them. And he’s not with us anymore but I’ve heard incredible stories. And then the opportunity came about to become a minority owner in the Raiders, it was a dream come true for me.”

Brady won’t be calling any shots from a football standpoint though. He notably has an NFL broadcasting gig with FOX around the corner in 2024.

“I’ll be playing a very passive role,” Brady said. “This is something that I’m interested in doing for the rest of my life. This is not something that I’m into it for a year or two years.”

“You know, I’ve got a lot of responsibility with my Fox job, which I take very seriously,” Brady added. “But if I’m looking over the course of my life, to have the opportunity to be involved in the NFL is a dream come true. And if I could help the NFL and continue to contribute in a positive way, then you know, that’s been a very enjoyable part of my life.”

Tom Brady Reveals His Approach to Fatherhood

Brady might appear at Disney World with his children now that he’s retired, but he doesn’t believe in being a “Disney Dad”. He described his approach to parenting in the summer month during his interview with The Associated Press.

“It’s not the thing you want to hear when you get out of school after a long year, is to think about summer reading, but it’s our reality,” Brady said. “So, let’s think about where we’ve got to be when school starts and let’s work our way back and make sure that we’re not cramming here with the last week to go.”

“We’ll set aside some time,” Brady added. “But the kids have plenty of fun things ahead and we’ll make sure they cover their school bases and get away from it a little bit and allow them to be kids, too, because, you know, you only get to be a kid once.”

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have revamped their group of kickers as the team signed former Lou Groza Award winner Rodrigo Blankenship to a one-year, $940,000 contract, per Spotrac. The news comes after the Bucs released longtime kicker Ryan Succop earlier this offseason. Succop spent the last three years as Tampa Bay’s kicker, including the team’s Super Bowl run during the 2020 season.

Blankenship will compete against Chase McLaughlin to emerge as the Bucs kicker for 2023. It would be a surprise if Tampa Bay opted to retain both players on the final roster, meaning one of Blankenship or McLaughlin will likely be released prior to Week 1.

The newest Buccaneers kicker comes as a former highly touted college specialist during his career at Georgia. Blankenship converted on 82.5% of his college field goals and did not miss an extra point attempt with the Bulldogs.

Blankenship began his NFL career with the Colts in 2020 before being released in 2022. Most recently, Blankenship was a mid-season addition by the Cardinals before being once again released last November.

New Tampa Bay Buccaneers Kicker Rodrigo Blankenship Holds the Rose Bowl Record for Longest Field Goal

The veteran has connected on 47-of-53 field goal attempts (83.9%) and 93.1% of extra point tries over his NFL career. Blankenship has been particularly consistent from the 40 to 49-yard range nailing 15-of-19 kicks. The former Bulldogs standout notched a 53-yard field goal with the Colts during his rookie season which remains the longest successful kick of his career.

Blankenship won the Lou Groza Award in 2019 given to the top college kicker during the same season the specialist notched the most field goals in the SEC. The Bucs kicker still holds the Rose Bowl record for longest made kick with his 55-yard field goal against Baker Mayfield’s Oklahoma squad in 2018.

Tampa Bay Bucs HC Todd Bowles on Baker Mayfield’s Interceptions: ‘You’re Going to Take Some Chances’

For as important as special teams is for a contending team, all eyes are on the Buccaneers quarterback battle between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask. Mayfield has struggled with interceptions throughout his NFL career throwing 64 picks, including 13 turnovers with the Browns in 2021. Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles is okay with Mayfield taking some chances within reason.

“I have to see all of them first to see what kind they were, but you try to get the ball out of his hands and make sure he’s making the right read,” Bowles told reporters on June 15. “If the guy is covered, try and throw it out of bounds. If you’re a quarterback, you’re going to take some chances and you’re going to have some turnovers – just try to limit them as much as we can.”

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rumors: The Front Office Is in Talks With Star Receiver Mike Evans on a New Contract

More moves could be on the way as the Buccaneers are looking to keep Mike Evans in Tampa for the forceable future despite ongoing trade rumors. Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud reported that the Bucs and Evans are in contract talks with a willingness to “get something done this summer.” Evans is heading into the final season of a five-year, $82 million contract and is slated to have a $13 million base salary in 2023.

“Evans counts $23,698,500 against the 2023 salary cap,” Stroud wrote on June 17. “Part of that is the result of his willingness to restructure in order to give the Bucs more salary-cap space.

“But now it’s time for Evans to receive his third contract from the Bucs. Those talks have already begun, and there is a willingness on both sides to get something done this summer.”

The NFL All-Pro list is the definitive measure of a player’s stature as the elite of the elite at his position, and the honor that garners the most respect when it comes to defining legacies.

Early summer is a time when hope springs eternal for NFL teams, and players, alike, as minicamps wind down and the grind of training camp and the upcoming season await with much optimism and promise. It’s also the perfect time to project out which players will shine the brightest in the fall.

Projecting which players will wind up as a First-Team All-Pro can be a daunting task, but easy all at once, by simply placing the name of the best player at his position the prior season into your projected list for the next one.

But, in order to make things a bit more interesting, to shine the spotlight a little brighter on some of the stars of the game that are knocking on the doorstep of reaching “elite’ status, we opted instead to make the list of players most likely to become a First-Team All-Pro selection for the first time.

Here are our selections:

QB: Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Hurts very nearly stole the MVP and a first-team All-Pro slot from Patrick Mahomes last season, but the stage seems set for the 24-year-old to make another significant stride in his development. Given that this will be Hurts’ second season throwing to dynamic receiver A.J. Brown, as well as DeVonta Smith’s third NFL season (when receivers typically begin to peak), all of the pieces are in place for Hurts to take his game and the Eagles’ outlook to new heights.

RB: Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

Chubb was a Second-Team All-Pro in 2022, and he’s one of the most feared backs in the game. The combination of the Browns‘ run-based scheme, an offensive line that can make a strong claim as one of the two best in the league, and Chubb’s ferocious running style give the 27-year-old a great chance to make the varsity squad in 2023.

RB: Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons

Running back might be the easiest position to make the leap to first-team All-Pro as a rookie. Especially when a rookie running back can expect the kind of workload Robinson can in Atlanta, combined with his explosiveness as a runner and versatility as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. If Robinson’s 104 forced missed tackles and 1,o71 yards after contact from last season at the University of Texas translate to the NFL, look out.

WR: A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

Not only was A.J. Brown a touchdown-maker, catching a career-high 11 in his first season in Philadelphia, he was a monster averaging 6.4 Yards After the Catch per Reception. If that was Brown’s introduction to the Eagles‘ offense, imagine how much more prolific he’ll be in a second season as Hurts’ favorite target.

WR: Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Chase was a second-team All-Pro selection in 2021, but each year the dynamic receiver’s chemistry seems to strengthen with quarterback Joe Burrow. Injuries limited Chase to just 12 games last season, yet he still produced 1,046 receiving yards with nine touchdowns. Given that Chase averaged 4.8 Yards after The Catch per Reception, just imagine how productive he’ll be if he can stay on the field for the entire 2023 campaign.

WR: Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

One might think that the addition of a speedster like Tyreek Hill on the other side might limit the production of a player like Waddle, but that’s not exactly how 2022 played out. Sure, Waddle only caught 75 passes (down from 104 in 2022), but his yards per catch average nearly doubled to an eye-popping 18.1. Waddle’s speed gives him the ability to take the top off a defense. Playing opposite Hill creates space. Don’t be surprised if Waddle finds a way to build on last season’s 1,356-yard and 8-touchdown outburst.

TE: T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings

Hockenson was an absolute revelation to the Vikings‘ offense, after arriving in a midseason trade. The 25-year-old caught 60 passes for 519 yards with 3 touchdowns during the final 10 games of the season. With Justin Jefferson flying down the perimeter, expect there to be plenty of room for Hockenson to operate underneath, and plenty of check down targets from Kirk Cousins for him to rack up yards and touchdowns this season.

LT: Andrew Thomas, New York Giants

Andrew Thomas is one of the ascending stars along the offensive line, and the trajectory of his career has been ticking upward the past two seasons, in a big way. A Second-Team All-Pro selection in 2022, Thomas only allowed three sacks and continued to emerge as a stalwart along the Giants’ offensive line.

RT: Kaleb McGary, Atlanta Falcons

McGary is a dominant presence along the line of scrimmage, and one of the Falcons’ building blocks on offense. Last season, McGary was Pro Football Focus’ No. 3 highest-rated offensive tackle, with an 86.6 overall grade. The addition of Robinson in the backfield will give McGary even more opportunities to showcase his ability as a lead-blocker in the running game, where he posted the highest run-blocking grade of anyone not named Trent Williams, at 91.6.

LG: Joe Thuney, Kansas City Chiefs

Joe Thuney has been a stalwart of consistency throughout his career, and he has elevated his game to new heights since arriving in Kansas City in 2021. Last season, Thuney was instrumental in keeping Mahomes upright, allowing only one sack and 15 total pressures. That kind of consistency up front makes it easy for a freelancer like Mahomes to create big-play opportunities.

RG: Teven Jenkins, Chicago Bears

Teven Jenkins is a road grader up front in the running game, a tactician in pass protection, and one of the anchors of the Chicago Bears‘ offensive line. Last season, Jenkins only allowed 2.0 sacks and 12 quarterback pressures. He’s already on the cusp of breaking through as an All-Pro, and if the Bears’ offense makes major strides, this could be his season to crack the list.

C: Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs

Creed Humphrey is the most consistently dominant young center in this league. Full stop. Humphrey is a complete mauler as a run-blocker, producing an elite 91.1 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, and a stonewall in pass protection, where he didn’t allow a single sack last season, with just one surrendered through the first two seasons of his career. Maybe more impressive than the fact that Humphrey allowed just 21, quarterback hits is that he was flagged for only 4 penalties in 1,138 snaps in 2022. Humphrey is an ascending talent and perhaps next in line to be a permanent All-Pro fixture.

EDGE: Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders

There are few pass-rushers who strike as much fear in opposing offensive tackles as Maxx Crosby does when he’s flying off the edge. It is almost unfair that a player has that much burst and that much speed, flying off the corner. Beyond freakish athleticism, Crosby’s productivity speaks for itself; 15.0 sacks, 81 total pressures, 4 forced fumbles, and 70 tackles in 2022 as the centerpiece of the Raiders‘ defense. Given the exotic blitz packages defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is accustomed to drawing up, don’t be surprised if even those numbers from Crosby take a big jump in 2023.

EDGE: Montez Sweat, Washington Commanders

Montez Swat is borderline unblockable off the edge, where he produced 8.0 sacks and 63 total pressures as the centerpiece of the Commanders’ front-seven in 2022. What makes Sweat special is that he’s one of the more dominant run-stopping edge players in the game, on top of being a game-wrecker when rushing the passer. Sweat is one of the more complete players at his position, and if he continues his upward trajectory, could find himself on All-Pro lists this season.

DL: D.J. Reader, Cincinnati Bengals

Injuries limited D.J. Reader’s production last season, he missed six games due to a knee injury while finishing with 27 tackles and 1.0 sack, but don’t let those numbers fool you into thinking this isn’t one of the top players at his position. Reader is a matchup nightmare, a dominant interior pass-rusher, and as steady as they come against the run. If Reader can stay on the field all season, 2023 could be the year he solidifies his place among the elite of the position.

DL: Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants

Few humans walking the earth can move with the speed and burst that Dexter Lawrence shows on each snap, at a mammoth 6-foot-4 and 342 pounds. Not only does Lawrence take up boatloads of space against the run, but his 9.0 sacks and 63 total pressures are absolute game-wreckers up the middle for opposing quarterbacks. Lawrence was a Second-Team All-Pro selection in 2022, and playing another season in coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale’s scheme should create even more opportunities for Lawrence to destroy things up the middle. If he does, well, etch his name on the First-Team list this season.

LB: Tremaine Edmunds, Chicago Bears

Edmunds arrives in Chicago coming off the most dominant season of his prolific career. Once again surpassing 100 total tackles, Edmunds produced a team-high 101, while holding opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of just 87.1. All that, only to leave Buffalo without a contract extension. Given Edmunds’ productivity, his talent, and the added motivation that comes with being spurned by your former team, expect big things from the centerpiece of the Bears’ revamped defense in 2023.

LB: Devin Lloyd, Jacksonville Jaguars

Lloyd didn’t waste any time throwing his weight around, as a rookie in the Jaguars’ linebacker corps last season. The Utah alum’s three interceptions led all linebackers, and he was consistently around the football, carding 110 total tackles. If Lloyd builds on his stellar rookie season, don’t be surprised to find him on this list by year’s end.

LB: Dre Greenlaw, San Francisco 49ers

A strong case can be made that each member of the 49ers’ front-seven could wind up an All-Pro, but Greenlaw should benefit more than most from Javon Hargrave’s arrival. Last season Greenlaw had 127 tackles and was just a brick wall against the run. Expect that to continue in 2023.

CB: Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers boast one of the most talented defenses in the league, and the best defensive back on the roster might be Charvarius Ward, who is criminally underrated outside the Bay Area. Opposing quarterbacks managed only an 88.2 passer rating when targeting Ward last season, and receivers had little room to operate, averaging just 11 yards per catch. Given the combination of the 49ers’ ferocious front-seven and Ward’s prowess in man coverage, the stage could be set for the 27-year-old to have a career year in 2023.

CB: Asante Samuel Jr., Los Angeles Chargers

Entering his third season, Samuel Jr. hasn’t just already proven himself to be a legitimate ballhawk, but he continues to get better. Quarterbacks rarely targeted Samuel Jr. last season, and when they did, they managed a meager 97.6 passer rating on those throws. Samuel Jr. already etched his name in the record books, becoming the first player to pull down three interceptions in his playoff debut. If Samuel builds on a stellar finish to 2022, there’s a good chance he finishes 2023 as an All-Pro.

S: Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens

Hamilton is as versatile as they come at safety, and aims to build on a prolific rookie season, that was capped by him leading the Ravens’ defense with 9.0 tackles in a Wild Card loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Not only does Hamilton thrive in coverage, where he played both deep safety and in the slot while holding opposing receivers to only 9.9 Yards per Reception, but he’s a real weapon up near the line of scrimmage. Hamilton’s 2.0 sacks and 20 run-stops underscore his value at all levels of the Ravens’ defense.

S: Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Winfield Jr. is an ascending talent at the safety position, who could see more opportunities to create turnovers as head coach Todd Bowles dials up the pressure via the blitz this season. Moving to free safety this season could create more opportunities for Winfield to flash in coverage, where he held opposing receivers to just 10.5 Yards per Reception in 2022. If the Buccaneers’ defense bounces back, and Winfield plays a starring role, don’t be surprised when he winds up being an impact player this season.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are entering a transition period after Tom Brady’s retirement, leaving the door open to potential trades for some of the franchise’s most iconic players, including wide receiver Mike Evans.

Evans has been mentioned in trade rumors throughout the offseason, with the 29-year-old potentially moving on to a new NFL team for the first time in his professional career. While the Buccaneers haven’t publicly stated any plans to trade Evans, the speculation continues to pop up heading into training camp.

Maurice Moton with Bleacher Report came up with another trade proposal for Evans, this time sending the four-time Pro Bowler to the New York Giants. In return, the Buccaneers would receive a star player of their own along with a top draft pick.

New York Giants Receive: WR Mike Evans

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Receive: RB Saquon Barkley, 2024 2nd-round pick

While Buccaneers fans would be sad to see one of the most consistent weapons in franchise history leave, a trade like this one would also help jumpstart the team’s efforts at rebuilding into a Super Bowl contender once again.

Why Would The Buccaneers Trade Mike Evans?

While Evans continues to be Tampa Bay’s most reliable offensive weapon, the direction of the team’s roster could lead general manager Jason Licht to move on from the four-time Pro Bowler in favor of retooling the roster with a long-term view.

Evans is currently on the final year of an $82.5 million contract, making him a free agent in 2024. Despite his loyalty to the franchise since being drafted in 2014, there’s no guarantee that Evans will return to Tampa Bay if the team isn’t willing to pay him top-tier money again next offseason.

The Buccaneers also aren’t expected to have the strongest passing game in 2023, despite a talented wide receiver room that includes Evans and Chris Godwin. The current quarterback battle is between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask, and during offseason workouts the two have gone viral for their struggles with accuracy in simple passing drills.

If Evans isn’t thrilled with the quarterback situation in 2023, and is unable to agree to terms on a huge payday with the Buccaneers, he could opt to sign with a new team next offseason. Alternatively, Licht and his staff could decide to work out a trade to ensure that the Buccaneers could at least get something in return for their star wide receiver.

Do the Buccaneers Need a Running Back?

The Buccaneers may not have the biggest names in the backfield, but they may have enough suitable players to not need a star at the position like Barkley.

Rachaad White is expected to be the team’s starting running back heading into training camp. A third-round pick in 2022, White averaged just 3.7 yards per carry as a rookie. However, the 24-year-old is expected to take a jump in his second year with an increased workload.

Tampa Bay also brought in Chase Edmonds, who has served as a rotational back over the past few years with multiple teams. His experience will allow him to be fill in as a change-of-pace back behind White.

Other running backs likely to see some playing time include Ke’Shawn Vaughn and undrafted rookie Sean Tucker. While a free agent pickup like Ezekiel Elliott would be interesting, the Buccaneers may not need to lean on a star to run the ball in 2023.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers star linebacker Devin White took to social media amid his simmering off-field controversy with the team.

White posted videos of himself practicing alone plus a Jalen Hurts video before mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, June 14. All of this came about amid White’s contract dispute with the team and his attendance at minicamp amid not practicing. White just observed at practice again on Wednesday, according to FOX Sports’ Greg Auman.

“I carry my scars with me everywhere I go. I don’t forget,” Hurts said in the video that White posted. “Do I waste my energy worrying about the opinion of someone else, opinion of a sheep? No. Everyone and their opinion don’t deposit at the bank.”

White requested a trade this offseason amid his bid to obtain a larger contract after his four-year, $29 million deal with the Bucs expires in 2024. He will make $11.7 million this season with free agency on the horizon.

Bucs general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles both previously indicated they don’t want to trade White despite the persistent rumors. Bowles also didn’t express concern over White not practicing at minicamp.

“No, it’s not a hold-in,” Bowles told reporters on Tuesday, June 13. “We’d like to see where he is physically. We don’t feel like we need to put him out here right now until we test him, do everything. So, two or three days of camp is not going to help him that way.”

“His mindset is good,” Bowles added. “It’s just business. That’s part of it. That takes care of itself. He’ll be ready for training camp, and he’ll be ready to go.”

According to ESPN’s Jenna Laine, White “spent the majority of the time Tuesday talking to inside linebacker Lavonte David, who has served as a mentor to White” over the years. White, a former No. 5 pick in 2019, emerged as a threat alongside David over the past four years.

Doubt Remains on Devin White’s Future With Bucs

White avoids fines by his attendance at minicamp, but his future with the team remains in doubt. The Bucs could free up much of his $11.7 million via a trade, but the front office clearly wants to see what he has in year five first as Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds noted.

“There have been times in White’s career where his splash plays prove the Bucs right for drafting him so high,” Reynolds wrote. “His blazing speed is unique and he’s shown a penchant for making highlight reel sacks and creating takeaways.”

“As high as his highlights are, his lowlights are just as low. That’s why the Bucs want to make him play out his fifth-year option before deciding whether or not to meet his contract demands, reported to be $18 million-$20 million per year. White, a team captain, wants his money now, and requested a trade this offseason. The team declined and insists he play out the 2023 season.”

Devin White ‘Doesn’t Really Have Any Leverage’

Reynolds also noted that White “doesn’t really have any leverage” with the Bucs. Rookie inside linebackers Jeremy Banks and SirVocea Dennis have impressed thus far, Reynolds wrote.

White’s attendance at minicamp also doesn’t erase internal concerns for the Bucs, Reynolds explained. White didn’t turn in a monster season in 2022, and he took heat from Bucs Hall of Famer Warren Sapp last season.

“And what will White’s attitude be like this season,” Reynolds questioned. “Will he be able to simply forget about his displeasure over his contract situation and focus on football, or will that consume him and cause him to be distracted?”

Former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady could not help himself before a challenging throw.

“If I hit the drone on the first try, maybe I should come out of retirement,” Brady said in a viral video, posted on Sunday, June 11.

Brady nailed the drone on his first throw from his $300 million Yacht in a video appearance with famed YouTuber Mr. Beast. After the ball knocked the drone from the air, a swimmer caught the drone.

Brady’s next throw didn’t go as well when a jet skier failed to catch the ball. It became the “second-most viewed video in YouTube history in 24 hours” according to Mr. Beast’s Twitter.

While Brady put his joke about a comeback in front of 47.5 million people online via that video, he remains retired since his February 1 announcement via Instagram. Brady later clarified that he’s staying retired in an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Robin Lundberg.

The Patriots’ sixth-round draft pick in 2000, Brady emerged as the game’s greatest quarterback with six Super Bowl wins in 20 years. He played another three seasons for the Bucs and led the team to a Super Bowl win in the 2020 season.

Brady free agency rumors swirled for chunks of the offseason, and that ramped up again when he agreed to part ownership of the Las Vegas Raiders. It all stewed because Brady retired in 2022 and came back to play for the Bucs after a 41-day retirement.

This time, Brady has kept the cleats hung up much further into the offseason with six weeks left before training camps begin. Brady also had another notable outing recently as NFL teams geared up for minicamps this week.

He attended the French Open in support of champion Novak Djokovic. The tennis superstar thanked Brady publicly for his attendance after the Grand Slam title win over Casper Ruud on Sunday, June 11.

Tom Brady Pokes Fun as His Speed Again

While Brady became known for his arm in his 23-year career, his mobility lacked throughout. He poked fun about during the The 24 Hours of Le Mans motorsport race on June 10-11 in France.

“Look I was never known for my speed, couldn’t outrun nose tackles, so I came out to Le Mans to try another sport and see what it feels like to pass someone,” Brady wrote on Instagram.

“I’m still hiding in the back of the garage, gonna try to slip into the car at the next stop,” Brady continued. “If you see this beauty upside down you know who’s fault it was.”

Brady, who has been endorsing Hertz, made the appearance in support of the Hertz Racing Gold team. He first endorsed Hertz in 2021.

Proposed Tom Brady Apparel Would Fly Off the Shelf

While Brady will likely never wear the Bucs creamsicle throwback uniforms on the field, a creamsicle Brady jersey could sell like hotcakes as FOX Sports’ Greg Auman acknowledged.

Auman responded to Bucs fan Joe Deehr’s take on Twitter that Brady creamsicle jerseys “would sell out fast”. The Bucs haven’t released creamsicle jerseys for purchase yet, Auman noted. The team recently announced that the throwbacks will debut on October 15 against the Detroit Lions.

Brady notably wore throwback uniforms with the Patriots during his career. New England brought back the Pat Patriot throwback in 2022, which Brady reacted to when announced.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ open quarterback competition is just beginning, but the early signs point to Baker Mayfield having an edge over Kyle Trask. ESPN’s Jeff Darlington noted that Mayfield is “imposing himself over the competition” but also emphasized that “no determination” has been made yet on the Bucs’ next QB1.

“In general, we’re hearing the words that have been used to describe Baker Mayfield since the start of his career,” Darlington detailed during a June 11, 2023 edition of “SportsCenter,” per Bleacher Report’s Joseph Tucker. “The positive ones, like moxie and leadership. And those are the things so far in Tampa it feels like could earn him the starting job.

“There is just definitely a little bit more of a vibe when I talk to people about these two quarterbacks, that Baker seems to be imposing himself. Now, Kyle Trask is still in the hunt. There is no determination on who the starter will be in this quarterback competition. But at this point, it does feel that Baker is imposing himself over the competition.”

Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles on Quarterback Competition: ‘It Comes Down to Moxie, It Comes Down to Intelligence’

Mayfield is hoping that new Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales can help him resurrect his career. The former No. 1 pick finds himself on his fourth team over the last three seasons.

Mayfield signed a one-year, $4 million contract with Tampa Bay this offseason which opens up the possibility that the franchise could once again be in the market for a quarterback in 2024 if neither signal-caller is able to take a firm hold of the position. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles outlined what he is looking for in the next starting quarterback.

“From an analyzing standpoint, again it’s the grasp of the offense, it’s the reading of the defense – it’s not necessarily making the big play but the right play,” Bowles told reporters on May 30. “Then it comes down to moxie, it comes down to intelligence – in-game intelligence and adjustments and fits and film work.

“You can see who the team galvanizes around and who’s ready to play the first game and you make a decision from there. It’s constant analyzation, whether it’s small or whether it’s big – it’s constant analysis from now up until we name a starter.”

Antoine Winfield Jr. on Baker Mayfield: ‘You Can Tell He’s a Competitor by the Trash Talking We Have Between Periods’

The team is still leaving the door open for Trask to overtake Mayfield as Tampa Bay’s QB1. Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. revealed that there is already a healthy amount of trash talk between Mayfield and the Tampa defense.

“It’s been fun, it’s different but it’s been fun,” Winfield said during a May 30 press conference. “We talk trash in between periods every now and then but he’s also a great quarterback. I love his mentality towards the game and he’s fun to practice against.

“…You can tell he’s a competitor just by the trash talking we have between periods and stuff like that. So, you’ve got to love that coming from your quarterback.”

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers landing Dalvin Cook would add extra spice to a Week 1 matchup at the Minnesota Vikings, plus the Bucs’ 2023 season overall.

WCCO’s Anthony Bettin sees it as a possibility amid the Vikings’ release of the four-time Pro Bowl running back this week. Cook, a Florida native, could help turn around the Bucs rushing attack if the two could agree to a deal despite a previous $63 million deal with the Vikings.

“Cook is a cap casualty for the Vikings — he’s still a player who will help a team win games. If, indeed, the Bucs are looking to do that, he’s a great option for their backfield,” Bettin wrote.

Bettin noted the Bucs are “going to need a strong run attack to win some games” with Baker Mayfield, or possibly Kyle Trask, at quarterback. While Bettin mentioned the Bucs “have a dearth of talent at running back”, no one on the Bucs roster has run the ball like Cook has.

For the past four years, Cook has rushed for over 1,100 yards each season and for 4.4 yards or better per carry in that span. He also scored 43 touchdowns over that period.

Tampa Bay doesn’t have a 1,000-yard rushing on the roster, and no one has gone over three rushing touchdowns in a season. Chase Edmonds scored four touchdowns for the Arizona Cardinals in 2019.

Second-year running back Rachaad White impressed as a rookie, but he played in a league-worst rushing attack in all major categories. White rushed for 481 yards and a touchdown amid a 3.7 yards per carry average.

While White and Edmonds have shown they can produce in the passing game, Cook has a proven track record in that area, too. Cook has caught 34 or more passes and 224 or more yards each of the past three seasons.

His career high of 53 catches for 519 yards came in 2019. That eclipses both of White’s and Edmonds’ best seasons in the passing game.

Dalvin Cook Could Smash False Bucs Narrative

Cook could make the Bucs offense dangerous, but Bettin questioned if the Bucs really “want to win games” in 2023. That’s reflective of the national narrative of the post-Tom Brady Bucs.

“With Tom Brady retired — for real this time, allegedly — the team seems primed for a tank-and-rebuild cycle,” Bettin wrote. “The wrinkle is they play in one of the worst divisions in football.”

“The Panthers, Falcons and Saints are all in various stages of their own rebuild cycles,” Bettin added. “The NFC South is seriously up for grabs this year, and while the Bucs aren’t the favorite to take the crown, it would be no more surprising than any of the other teams earning the banner.”

Locally, it’s clear that the Bucs don’t plan to tank in 2023 for a prime draft pick. Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds pointed out the Bucs signings this offseason as evidence of that, and Cook could add to that in a major way.

Bucs Actually Get a Second Shot at Dalvin Cook

Not only could the Bucs remain atop the NFC South with Cook, the franchise could bring a player the fan base once clamored for. Both fans and former Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston wanted Cook in the 2017 NFL Draft, but the Bucs took tight end O.J. Howard instead for the first round.

Cook slid to the second round where he landed with the Vikings, nine picks before the Bucs could select again. The former Florida State Seminoles star slid that far because of his past off-field struggles, and Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reported that the Bucs had concerns about Tampa being too close to home at the time.

While Cook will have a massive asking price, the Bucs could use voidable years or give him a similar contract to cornerback Jamel Dean. The Bucs corner will make $1.08 million in 2023 and then over $10 million during the next three seasons for his $52 million deal.

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star running back Leonard Fournette has yet to find a home, but one analyst sees “Big D” as the destination.

Pro Football Focus’ Marcus Mosher suggested that the Dallas Cowboys will sign Fournette before training camp. The Bucs released Fournette in march due to salary cap restraints amid his three-year, $21 million deal.

Dallas notably released running back Ezekiel Elliott this offseason due to his contract. Elliott, a player who has been linked to the Bucs, had a six-year, $90 million deal with the Cowboys.

“I do get the sense that they’re probably going to bring in another veteran or two like you mentioned,” Mosher said on the “Locked on Cowboys” podcast on May 31. “Remember the Cowboys signed Anthony Barr once training camp started last year. Maybe they’ll do a similar move. I’m still looking at the running back position.”

“That’s still one where I feel like [a move is coming]. I don’t think it’s going to be Ezekiel Elliott coming back, but maybe it’s somebody like a Leonard Fournette or somebody just to give them something else in that backfield. I’m looking at that position,” Mosher said.

Fournette played three seasons for the Bucs and helped the team win a Super Bowl in 2020. He amassed 1,847 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground plus 178 catches for 1,210 yards and five scores in his Bucs tenure.

Leonard Fournette Rose and Declined in Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay acquired Fournette in 2020 after the Jacksonville Jaguars released him before the season. As Fournette emerged as the Bucs’ lead back, he became known as “Playoff Lenny” for the team’s postseason run to the Super Bowl.

Fournette’s solid play continued in 2021, and management rewarded him with his $21 million deal. Then, the Bucs hit reality amid the retirement of quarterback Tom Brady and a salary cap deficit that teetered toward $55 million this offseason.

The Bucs will roll with Rachaad White as the lead back in place of Fournette. White became the starter in place of Fournette during the 2022 season amid the running game’s league-worst struggles.

Fournette only ran for 3.5 yards per carry as he tallied 668 yards and three touchdowns. White provided a little more spark with 3.7 yards per carry amid 481 yards and a touchdown in 60 fewer carries than Fournette.

Despite a down year, Fournette still has something to offer. Fournette finished as the third-leading receiver with the Bucs in 2022.

He caught 73 passes for 523 yards and three touchdowns. He also had a catch percentage of 88% , the best on the team for anyone with three or more catches.

How much Fournette will land for a contract with any team remains to be seen. Spotrac projects a two-year, $4.6 million deal for the former LSU star, who went No. 4 in the 2017 NFL Draft to the Jaguars.

Rachaad White Expects ‘a Lot of Balls’ in Passing Game

While the Bucs lost a reliable pass catcher in Fournette, White could fill that void. The second-year back expects it.

White expects “a lot of balls” in the passing game this season, he said on SiriusXM Fantasy Radio on Monday, June 5. He made solid plays in the passing game last season amid 50 catches for 290 yards and five touchdowns with an 86.2% catch percentage.

Breshad Perriman continued the offseason exodus of wide receivers from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Perriman signed with the Indianapolis Colts, the team announced, on Monday, June 5. He became the third receiver from the Bucs’ 2022 roster or practice squad to join another team. Overall, the Bucs parted ways with four receivers this offseason.

Scotty Miller previously signed with the Atlanta Falcons, and Tyler Johnson recently signed with the Los Angeles Rams. Former Bucs wide receiver Julio Jones remains unsigned.

A former first-round draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens, Perriman played three seasons for the Bucs between two stints. Perriman tallied 20 catches for 277 yards and two touchdowns during the past seasons with the team.

His previous stint in Tampa came in 2019 when he played a more prominent role. He caught 36 passes for 645 yards and six touchdowns.

Perriman continued a productive role with the New York Jets in 2020 with 30 receptions for 50 yards and three touchdowns, but he didn’t match that again. His 58-yard game-winning touchdown for the Bucs in 2021 turned out to be an anomaly amid his decline.

The Bucs picked up Perriman via a waiver by the Chicago Bears late in the 2021 season before the big highlight touchdown. Perriman saw the field in Chicago before his Bucs reunion.

Besides the Bucs, Perriman has ties to Florida as a former UCF standout in college. His NFL journey has taken him to seven stops, including the Bucs, since 2015.

Bucs Receiver Depth in Question

Amid the offseason departures, the Bucs receiver depth came into question.

The Bucs have two Pro Bowl-caliber receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin plus a solid third wideout in Russell Gage. After that, the Bucs didn’t have another receiver with a full season’s worth of game experience until the signing of David Moore on May 14.

Deven Thompkins and Kaylon Geiger played sparingly as rookies in 2022. The Bucs also drafted rookie Trey Palmer in April along with the signings of rookies Kade Warner, Rakim Jarrett, Taye Barber, and Ryan Miller.

Chris Godwin: ‘A Lot of My Explosion is Coming Back’

Godwin returned to organized team activities this year for the first time since 2021 before he tore his ACL in December that year.

His return to the field took until training camp in 2022. He still produced last season amid 104 catches, 1,023 yards, and three touchdowns.

However, he feels even better this time around. Godwin believes he can really get back to pre-injury form this year.

“I think I’m very close to it,” Godwin told reporters on May 23. “I feel like a lot of my explosion is coming back. I feel very comfortable with the things that I’m working on. It feels really good to be able to have the opportunity to work on my skill development this offseason, as opposed to just working to rehab an injury.”

“To be out here now, it’s a blessing,” Godwin also said. “It was a lot of hard work. … I took some much-needed rest right after the season. But I’m feeling really good. I feel really good with where I’m at. It’s a fresh year (with) fresh opportunities for myself and all the guys around.”

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers do not have a proven home-run-hitting playmaker at running back, but that could change amid ongoing Dalvin Cook rumors.

According to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, the Minnesota Vikings could cut Cook soon. A four-time Pro Bowler, Cook has a season-high longest run of 66 yards or better every year since 2018.

Minnesota wants to clear salary cap space with Cook’s five-year, $63 million deal and turn to third-year back Alexander Mattison. Cook will command a big salary on the open market based on his $11 million salary for this year, but the Bucs front office could find a way despite $1.6 million in salary cap space.

The Bucs turned to voidable years during the Tom Brady era, and the creativity continued this year amid severe salary cap issues. Cornerback Jamel Dean recently re-signed to a four-year deal where he will get $1.08 million the first year but $12 million-plus the following three years.

In addition, the Bucs could make additional cuts to make room for Cook. Releasing linebacker Shaquil Barrett, a possibility according to CBS Sports, could free up $14.6 million.

The Bucs defense ranked No. 13 in points allowed last season with Barret out for nine games due to an ACL tear. Tampa Bay did far worse in the running game — last in all major categories — with Leonard Fournette and Rachaad White.

Rachaad White Can’t Match Dalvin Cook’s Resume Yet

Fournette got cut and White stayed on as the potential No. 1 running back this offseason. However, White only produced 481 yards rushing and 290 yards receiving amid three total touchdowns.

Cook, 27, is in his prime amid a strong start to his career amid four-consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. He has 47 career touchdowns and no fewer than six in a season since 2019.

Tampa Bay instantly gets a proven star in the backfield of an offense that needs to redefine itself in 2023. Bucs quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask have delivered mixed results in organized team activities amid the monumental task of coming after Brady.

Bucs Fans, Former QB Wanted Dalvin Cook in 2017 Draft

Bucs fans once hoped for Cook, a former Florida State star and Miami native, to land with the team as a draft pick in 2017. Cook’s off-field issues from middle school onward affected his draft stock, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

Then-Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston even “openly lobbied” for Cook, Stroud wrote. Winston and Cook played together at FSU in 2014.

“But the Bucs believed the geography wouldn’t work for Cook,” Stroud wrote. “Even if they bought into the player, the fear was that too many of his friends from Miami would follow him to Tampa Bay.”

Instead of the Bucs taking a chance on Cook, he slid past the No. 19 pick into the second round where the Vikings took him at No. 41. The Bucs chose tight end O.J. Howard instead at No. 19, and he came short of big expectations in five seasons with the team.

If the Bucs don’t go after Cook aggressively this time around, he could leave the NFC and join either the Buffalo Bills or Miami Dolphins in the AFC East. Cook has those two teams in mind as his top choices, according to FOX’s Armando Salguero.

Veteran Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn might not see another season with the team beyond training camp.

Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon tabbed Vaughn as a likely cut candidate this offseason. Vaughn has 342 yards and two touchdowns on 79 carries in three seasons despite 37 game appearances.

“Ke’Shawn Vaughn has contributed more on special teams than as a runner in three seasons,” Kenyon noted. “Rachaad White is the Bucs’ starter, and they signed Chase Edmonds and added undrafted rookie Sean Tucker — an All-American at Syracuse in 2021. Vaughn is on cut alert.”

Playing special teams is a determining factor for Bucs head coach Todd Bowles in making roster moves. In Vaughn’s case, he played 46% of the team’s special teams plays in 2022, a three-percent dip from 2021.

Despite the trade speculation, Bucs general manager Jason Licht indicated his satisfaction with Vaughn on the roster. The Bucs selected Vaughn out of Vanderbilt in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

“We really like Ke’Shawn. We’ve always liked Ke’Shawn,” Licht told reporters before this year’s draft. “I know he’s been with us for three years, but he really hasn’t gotten opportunities. When he has, he’s done some good things.”

Bucs RB Additions Put Ke’Shawn Vaughn in Tough Spot

While the Bucs didn’t pick a running back in the draft, the team signed Tucker as an undrafted free agent amid health issues. Tucker tallied 3,182 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns plus 64 catches for 622 yards and four scores in 33 career games with the Orange.

Tucker hasn’t been practicing, according to Pewter Report, but should get cleared by training camp according to FOX Sports’ Greg Auman. Tucker’s heart condition came up during the NFL Draft process, and he couldn’t participate in the combine because of it according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Even if Tucker doesn’t pose a threat to Vaughn landing a roster spot, Edmonds will challenge Vaughn in addition to boasting mores experience. The former Fordham standout has 18 career starts amid 70 games played in five seasons.

He rushed for 245 yards and two touchdowns plus 16 catches for 157 yards and a score in 2022 with two different teams. Despite a subpar year, he had single-season career highs of 592 yards rushing in 2021 and five offensive touchdowns in 2019 and 2020.

“It’s on the film from my first four years doing it,” Edmonds said, via the Tampa Bay Times in April. “I know I can be an elite third running back in this league, and I’m going be one of those guys where I’m a big-time mismatch with linebackers coming out of the backfield, and I’m eager to prove them wrong.”

Rachaad White Looks Poised for Starting Role

White emerged as the front-runner for RB1 after a promising rookie season. He grabbed the starting job from former Bucs running back Leonard Fournette midway through the 2022 season.

A former Arizona State star, White tallied 481 rushing yards and a touchdown plus 50 catches for 290 yards and two scores in 2022. White switched his jersey number to No. 1 this offseason as expects to take steps forward.

“This is a new year,” White told JoeBucsFan.com on Tuesday, May 31. “Fresh things, fresh start. New everything, new vibe.”

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could still trade star wide receiver Mike Evans this summer as Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame sees it.

Evans has been linked to trade rumors throughout the offseason despite the Bucs’ public commitment not to trade him. Verderame, however, views Evans as a sought-after player by a contending team and a way for the Bucs to retool after the Tom Brady era.

“With Evans both 30 years old and in the last year of his contract, general manager Jason Licht should be looking to move his star wideout in a trade,” Verderame wrote. “Over his nine-year career, Evans has never failed to post 1,000 yards.”

“With a base salary of $13 million, Evans would be an attractive trade candidate for a contender looking for a perimeter weapon,” Verderame added. “As for Tampa, it would save $14.5 million to roll over.”

Expectations are low for the Bucs in the national media’s eyes, as Verderame alluded to. He called it “significant rebuild” and that the Bucs “need cap space and draft picks” for a quick turnaround.

Bucs Insider: ‘Evans isn’t Going Anywhere’

Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds strongly disagrees with the Evans trade narrative. Reynolds called it one of three “terrible” narratives about the Bucs from the national media.

“Evans isn’t going anywhere – except the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Bucs Ring of Honor after he retires in red and pewter,” Reynolds wrote. “Given he’s still in his prime, Tampa Bay wants and needs Evans in 2023 – and beyond.”

“Trading Evans would leave the team way too thin at wide receiver with just two veterans on the roster with Chris Godwin and Russell Gage,” Reynolds added. “No way Evans gets traded.”

Moreover, Evans looks set for an extension this summer according to Reynolds. The Bucs also need Evans’ extension to free up salary cap space, Reynolds noted.

“With Chris Godwin as the highest-paid Bucs receiver making an average of $20 million per season on his three-year, $60 million deal, Evans could fetch a similar deal,” Reynolds wrote. “Perhaps a two-year extension worth $40 million with $30 million in guaranteed money. That could free up $9.335 million in 2023 cap space and give the Bucs the room to sign their rookies once Evans’ extension is finalized later this summer.”

Bucs Anticipate More Involvement for Mike Evans

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles emphasized recently that Evans needs the ball more this season — especially near the end zone. Evans only had six touchdowns receptions in 2022 after 27 between the previous two seasons.

“We’ve got to make that a priority, obviously,” Bowles told reporters on Tuesday, May 30. “I think we made it a priority last year — sometimes it was shut down, sometimes we just misread it here and there, whether it was on the receiver, the [quarterback] or offensive linemen. We’ve got to get better in that area in getting him the football.”

Evans will play in a new-look offense with either Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask at quarterback, surrounded by a retooled offensive line. In addition, the Bucs have a new offensive coordinator in Dave Canales, who wants to utilize Evans and Godwin.

“I would say, specifically, they just do so many good things outside the numbers with the one-on-one matchups,” Canales said in a February press conference. “That will definitely be a part of what we do. And then, moving the receivers to gain access — you can release easier if you move your receivers around, so we have a simple system that allows us to be able to do that, to give them access into the secondary.”

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still figuring out the direction of their franchise without future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady, but fans continue to hold out hope that the 45-year-old could make an NFL comeback.

Rumors surrounding Brady have been nonstop since the seven-time Super Bowl champion decided to hang up his cleats for the second straight offseason. However, Brady cleared the air about any possible comeback when speaking with SI.com on Thursday, June 1.

“I’m certain I’m not playing again,” Brady told SI’s Robin Lundberg. “So I’ve tried to make that clear and I have to continue to profess that, because I’ve already told people that lots of times. But I’m looking forward to my broadcasting job at Fox next year. I’m looking forward to the opportunity ahead with the Raiders along with the other different things I’m a part of professionally and in my personal life.”

Buccaneers fans had hoped that Brady could announce a comeback like he did last season, especially given the way OTAs have started for Baker Mayfield, Kyle Trask and John Wolford, the team’s current quarterbacks. A video from a May 23 practice showed Mayfield overthrowing his receiver and Trask throwing off the mark to his.

Rumors of Tom Brady Playing in Las Vegas

Despite Brady’s continuing to tell anyone and everyone that he isn’t making another NFL comeback, the rumors have no chance at slowing down.

More rumors surfaced after the May 22 AP News report that Brady was working to become a minority owner with the Las Vegas Raiders. The internet took this information and ran with it, especially after a TMZ report that the NFL owners could vote on a rule that would allow Brady to play while also owning a stake in the Raiders.

The Raiders could be in the market for another quarterback despite signing Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason. Brady’s former backup in New England is dealing with a foot injury that resulted in a failed physical when signing his deal with Las Vegas. Meanwhile, former Raiders starter Derek Carr signed a new deal with the New Orleans Saints, leaving the team with Brian Hoyer and rookie Aidan O’Connell as the likely backups.

If Garoppolo ends up not being healthy enough to play, then Raiders fans will be clamoring for the team to bring in one of their owners to make an NFL comeback and play under center.

Who Will Start for Tampa Bay?

With no sign of Brady walking through the door, the Buccaneers are heading toward a quarterback competition between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask.

Trask earned a strong vote of confidence from Bucs general manager Jason Licht, who sung his praises during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. The former second-round pick has waited patiently behind Brady waiting for an opportunity, but now another veteran has been brought in to compete with him.

Mayfield had a disappointing end to his time with the Cleveland Browns before brief stints with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams in 2022. Unfortunately, the former No. 1 overall pick went just 2-8 in 10 starts for the two teams, struggling to put everything together.

While it’s not the flashiest competition, Buccaneers fans will be eagerly watching to see which of the two quarterbacks will be able to stand out in training camp and the preseason.

It did not take long for Tom Brady to react to rumors this time, especially once it involved a former teammate.

The former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback shot down the idea of playing again in recent interview with Sports Illustrated. Brady, amid pending part ownership of the Las Vegas Raiders, had been rumored to come back to replace injured former Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

“I’m certain I’m not playing again,” Brady told Sports Illustrated’s Robin Lundberg. “So, I’ve tried to make that clear. And I hate to continue to profess that ’cause I’ve already told people that lots of times. But I’m looking forward to my broadcasting job at FOX next year. I’m looking forward to the opportunity ahead with the Raiders, and we’re in the process of that.”

Tom Brady ‘Looks a Little Bored’ Only a Joke

Former English soccer great and friend of Brady’s, David Beckham, stirred the pot nationally when he joked publicly about Brady’s apparent demeanor in a photo on social media.

“Tom looks a little bored to be honest,” Beckham wrote on social media.

Beckham’s comment came in reaction to a photo on social media of Brady and entrepreneur David Grutman on a yacht in Sardinia, Italy. Former NHL player Tie Domi echoed Beckham’s take on the photo in a comment.

Brady previously commented on the photo that he’s “ready for my hospitality internship” followed by laughing emojis. The seven-time Super Bowl champion retired on February 1 after a 23-year NFL career, and had called it “for good” on Instagram.

However, Brady retired once in February 2022 and came back to the Bucs a month later in March 2022. That notably came amid an part ownership attempt with the Miami Dolphins that fell through due to illegal tampering when Brady last played for the Patriots in 2019.

This time around, Brady established part ownership of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces first, which Raiders owner Mark Davis also owns. While the Raiders have confirmed Brady’s agreement on part ownership, at least 24 owners will need to sign off on the deal.

Brady also has a 10-year, $375 million deal with FOX waiting in the wings for 2024, and that hasn’t been negated by Brady’s pending part ownership with the Raiders.

Raiders QB Problems Stoked Tom Brady Comeback Rumors

Las Vegas notably faces a quarterback conundrum going into June, which stoked the Brady unretirement rumors. Garoppolo, who once backed up Brady in New England, may not be ready for training camp in July due to foot surgery in March.

Amid the doubts on Garoppolo, his contract includes a waiver clause, which allows the Raiders to cut him with no salary cap penalty. The Raiders otherwise have former Patriots backup Brian Hoyer, rookie Aiden O’Connell, and Chase Garbers on the roster.

Tom Brady Rumors Follow Familiar Scripts

The player-owner dynamic has occurred before in American professional sports. Most notably, NBA great Michael Jordan unretired a second time in 2001 to play for the Washington Wizards, a team he had part ownership in at the time.

Brady joining the Raiders as a player at this point in the year wouldn’t have been too late to get ready, either. Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre unretired right before the NFL season in 2009, and led the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC Championship Game.

Based on Brady’s recent comments, he looks more ready to follow his own script rather than Jordan’s or Favre’s.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers star pass rusher Shaq Barrett may be on the hot seat heading into the 2023 season. USA Today put together a list of one veteran from each NFL team that are in danger of losing their starting spot to a rookie. Barrett could receive a push from rookies YaYa Diaby and Jose Ramirez for one of the starting edge rushing/linebacker spots, says USA Today’s River Wells.

“Outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett is coming back from an Achilles injury he suffered in 2022,” Wells wrote on May 28, 2023. “An Achilles injury is one of the worst injuries an NFL player can have if their position relies on their explosiveness, which every edge rusher needs — what’s more, Barrett is 30 years old heading into this season.

“The Bucs drafted two edge rushers in YaYa Diaby and Jose Ramirez in the 2023 NFL draft, and they also have strong depth at the position with guys like Anthony Nelson. If Barrett doesn’t heal properly from his Achilles injury this late in his career, he could quickly find himself out of a starting job in Tampa Bay.”

Bucs Star Shaq Barrett Still Has 2 Seasons Remaining on a 4-Year, $68 Million Contract

Barrett played in just eight games last season before sustaining a torn Achilles injury. The two-time Pro Bowler was off to a slow start prior to the injury posting 31 tackles, 6 quarterback hits and 3 sacks in 2022. Prior to last year, Barrett had double-digit sacks in two of his previous three seasons, including 19.5 sacks in 2019.

Barring a setback in Barrett’s recovery, smart money is on the veteran retaining his starting gig. Diaby posted 37 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 9 sacks and two fumble recoveries in 13 appearances for Louisville in 2022. There is a major jump in transitioning from playing in the ACC to battling NFL offensive lines.

Barrett still has two seasons remaining on a four-year, $68 million contract and is slated to have a $14.2 million salary in 2023. The Bucs could move off of Barrett during the 2024 offseason but would take a sizable $16.4 million dead cap hit with his release, per Spotrac.

Buccaneers Linebacker Devin White Is Pushing for a Trade Out of Tampa

Tampa Bay also selected former Pitt standout Calijah Kancey in the first round, but the rookie is primarily expected to make an impact from the inside of the defensive line. The Bucs are dealing with a bit of uncertainty as Devin White requested a trade this offseason, but the star is still under contract with Tampa Bay for another season. The Buccaneers have given no indication that the team will acquiesce White’s request as the franchise continues to emphasize their desire to keep the defender in Tampa.

“It’s money. You’re looking out at the guaranteed money, and he wants his money now,” Buccaneers inside linebackers coach Larry Foote told reporters on May 3. “He has to understand the organization is preparing for next year, so we have to meet somewhere in the middle, however it’s going to play out.

“[We] picked up his fifth-year option, [Saw] yesterday a lot of players don’t get that option. But it’s money and I understand that. Like I said, he’s not the first, and he’s not going to be the last. That’s part of the game.”

Former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady will not get off the hook this time around.

Brady has faced many questions for years regarding the famed “Tuck Rule” play in a 2001 AFC playoff game against the then-Oakland Raiders. As a pending part-owner of the Raiders now, Brady might have to change his tune.

That’s how Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels sees it in the wake of Brady’s move with the franchise this week. McDaniels had to do the same in Las Vegas once after years with the Patriots because of the play that launched Brady’s career and the Patriots’ dynasty.

“One hundred percent. No question,” McDaniels said via Pro Football Talk about whether or not Brady will have to admit the Raiders’ side of the story.

Debate has raged since that Patriots overtime win over the Raiders on whether or not Brady fumbled the ball. Instead, a little-known rule known as the “Tuck Rule” spared Brady and the Patriots as attempted to tuck the ball amid a hit by then-Raiders defensive back Charles Woodson.

“I think everybody knows how I feel about Tom the person,” McDaniels said. “So, if that comes to fruition, obviously I’ll be incredibly excited about just him being somebody that’s in Raider Nation and has a vested interest in us doing as well as we can do in trying to bring a championship football team here to Vegas.”

“So I don’t know exactly where all that stands. I think that’s a question that’s way above my pay grade in terms of that stuff,” McDaniels added. “But, obviously, [I] had a great history with the player and an even better one with the person. So it’ll obviously be a tremendous honor to partner up with him again.”

McDaniels and Brady worked together in New England from 2001 to 2008 and 2012 to 2019. Brady left the Patriots in 2020 as a free agent to join the Bucs, and McDaniels left New England for the Raiders in 2022.

In Brady’s early comments about the “Tuck Rule”, he backs the referees’ call of no fumble. Brady once dodged answering in a video with Woodson, who notably was his former college teammate at Michigan.

The NFL rule book stated, regarding the “Tuck Rule”, that a quarterback can tuck the ball amid a throw to prevent a fumble. In 2013, the league ceased the “Tuck Rule”, which was in rule 3, section 33, article 2, note 2 of the rulebook at the time of the Brady-Woodson incident.

The “Tuck Rule” Impacted the Bucs Directly

Sporting News’ Bill Bender noted how the “Tuck Rule” impacted Brady’s second team — the Bucs. Former Raiders head coach Jon Gruden got traded to the  Bucs in the offseason after that loss, and he led the Bucs to a Super Bowl win over the Raiders in the 2002 season.

Brady joined the Bucs 18 years later after the franchise went 13 years without a playoff berth, a drought that began in Gruden’s final season in Tampa as Bender noted.

Tom Brady Could Play for the Raiders With a Catch or Two

Whether or not Brady unretires and plays for a third team in Las Vegas remains to be seen.

The door appeared to open a little more this week as news came out that Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo wouldn’t participate in organized team activities due to foot surgery. In addition Brady claimed he retired “for good” on February 1, but he hasn’t slammed the door directly in public comments since that time.

However, Brady can’t just suit up for the Raiders because all 32 owners would need to approve in a vote. Brady could sell his portion of the Raiders instead though if he chooses to come back.

It may never get that far according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore. He reported that a source informed him that the owners want a commitment from Brady to be done playing before he acquires part ownership of the Raiders.

While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have some legitimate weapons on their offense, general manager Jason Licht could add another significant playmaker before the start of training camp.

After parting ways with Leonard Fournette back in March, the Buccaneers have a need for an established veteran in their backfield. Fortunately for the Bucs, there is at least one workhorse running back who is still available in free agency.

Kristopher Knox with Bleacher Report gave out top landing spots for some of the best remaining free agents. For Tampa Bay, Knox wrote that the franchise would be an ideal landing spot for former Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, who was released earlier this offseason in the middle of his $90 million contract extension.

“The Buccaneers could also use Elliott, as they have very little proven depth on the roster,” Knox wrote. “Tampa, which already had Ke’Shawn Vaughn and 2022 third-round pick Pachaad, added Chase Edmonds in free agency However, the Bucs had only five rushing touchdowns last season, and Patrick Laird is the only veteran back on the roster who reached 4.0 yards per carry in 2022.”

Knox also suggested that veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater would make sense for the Buccaneers as a backup.

A Look At Tampa Bay’s Backfield

If the Buccaneers don’t end up bringing in Elliott, the team will likely have to rely on a committee with their current roster of running backs.

Rachaad White is expected to be the team’s starter in the backfield. The former third-round pick saw his first NFL action as a rookie in 2022, but averaged just 3.7 yards per carry for 481 yards and one rushing touchdown. Now that he’s gotten some game experience, the Buccaneers will be expecting more efficient performances in 2023.

The Buccaneers also added some competition to the backfield this offseason by bringing in veteran Chase Edmonds on a one-year deal. The 27-year-old has spent his entire NFL career as a change-of-pace running back, but has been efficient with a career average of 4.5 yards per carry.

Other running backs competing for playing time include 2020 third-round pick Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Patrick Laird, and a pair of undrafted free agents in Sean Tucker and Ronnie Brown. Tucker is the most intriguing name of the group as the top offensive weapon for Syracuse the past few seasons, but limited size could impact his workload at the NFL level.

Does Ezekiel Elliott Have Anything in the Tank?

While Elliott may not be the same player that he was coming out of Ohio State, the 27-year-old has still been an effective running back when healthy.

The three-time Pro Bowler is coming off of his least efficient NFL season, averaging just 3.8 yards per carry for 876 yards. However, he still found the end zone 12 times and had zero fumbles on 231 carries and 17 receptions.

While the rushing efficiency has taken a step back, Elliott has remained a solid player in pass protection. He allowed zero sacks or QB hits in 2022 according to Pro Football Focus, and over the course of his career he’s only been responsible for five sacks in seven seasons.

If the Buccaneers want a well-rounded back with the ability to protect the quarterback, then Elliott would be a logical signing for them heading into training camp.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers look in danger of hitting the cliff that Max Kellerman once projected for Tom Brady — albeit based on one video.

Tampa Bay’s quarterbacks widely missed throws at practice in a viral video on Tuesday, May 23. Amid the reaction, SB Nation’s Joseph Acosta called it “the saddest QB competition in NFL OTAs” on Thursday, May 25.

Bucs quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask both missed a target apiece — widely. Backup John Wolford completed his lone pass in the video.

“Of course, it is OTAs, and routes on air isn’t exactly what you want to use to judge QBs,” Acosta wrote. “It’s May, and this isn’t a sweeping indictment.”

“However, going into OTAs, this group doesn’t exactly inspire confidence,” Acosta continued. “We have yet to see what Kyle Trask actually looks like in real, regular season football games, and Baker Mayfield had spurts of competent play mired by incompetence in Carolina, and didn’t inspire much hope in Los Angeles.”

“John Wolford, despite being a crucial part of a 2020 playoff victory for the Rams, is a career backup and might have the longest odds of actually starting,” added.

As Acosta noted, the Bucs “still have a very talented roster” and play in an NFC South division with no team that’s coming off of a winning season last year. The viral video also notably didn’t occur with Trask and Mayfield missing throws to the likes of star wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

“You could argue that the Bucs have the best receiver group in the NFC South, and the defense should be fully healthy,” Acosta wrote. “If they can get the defense firing on all cylinders, it might not take stupendous QB play for the Bucs to win the division.”

Acosta concluded that the Bucs also sink with an old roster and quarterback “uncertainty” and land a big-time draft pick such as Caleb Williams or Drake Maye.

Baker Mayfield Receives Low QB Ranking

Pro Football Focus doesn’t express confidence that Mayfield can keep the Bucs afloat  either. Mayfield ranks 28th among the 32 projected starters league wide by PFF.

“It’s difficult to argue that Mayfield’s 2022 season was easily predictable, but it’s equally difficult to maintain any kind of lofty expectations for him going forward after witnessing it,” PFF’s Sam Monson wrote.

“His 50.6 PFF grade on the year was 13 grading points lower than his previous career-worst mark [which involved a torn shoulder], and it speaks volumes that the Rams were happy to let him walk after he led the team to a remarkable win just after stepping off the plane after they traded for him,” Monson continued. “Mayfield has very good play on his NFL resume, but it’s getting harder and harder to see it in the rearview mirror.”

Analyst Believes Kyle Trask Will Win Starting Job

Not everyone considers Mayfield a lock to win the starting job. Dynasty Pros’ Dustin Ludke explained why Trask will beat out Mayfield during the Pewter Report podcast.

“I personally don’t think he is the starter Week 1,” Ludke said about Mayfield. “I just think that Baker just has that little bit of too much overconfidence in his abilities, and I think he’s pressuring too hard to make the plays to try to win the job, and I think that’s going to put him in a bad spot.”

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a lot of questions that need answered this offseason, including what the future holds for some of their top playmakers like Mike Evans in the post-Tom Brady era.

The 29-year-old veteran wideout has already been linked to teams in trade rumors throughout the offseason. With Brady gone and either Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask taking over under center, it’s unclear if Bucs general manager Jason Licht wants to hit the reset button on the franchise.

If Licht decides to blow it up, Kristopher Knox with Bleacher Report wrote about ideal trade packages for players like Evans who need a fresh starter, suggesting that the four-time Pro Bowler gets moved to the Indianapolis Colts.

Tampa Bay receives: 2024 2nd-round pick, 2024 3rd-round pick

Indianapolis receives: WR Mike Evans

“Evans is entering the final year of his contract and hasn’t been quite as productive as Davante Adams, who netted the Green Bay Packers a first- and a second-round pick in last year’s trade,” Knox wrote. “His price point should be just a notch lower.”

Who Else Could Be On The Trade Block?

Evans isn’t the only player the Buccaneers could consider trading, whether that’s this offseason or prior to the 2023 season’s trade deadline. In fact, the 29-year-old may not even be the only wide receiver the Bucs could consider trading.

Chris Godwin has two years left on his $60 million contract extension, and his 2024 cap hit of over $27 million could be tough for the team to justify depending on how next season goes. The Green Bay Packers have already been named a potential suitor for the talented wideout if the Buccaneers decided to move on.

It’s still unclear what the future holds for star linebacker Devin White, who requested a trade from Tampa Bay prior to the 2023 NFL Draft. The 25-year-old will be playing on the final year of his rookie deal in 2023, and will likely be seeking a new team willing to pay him similar money to what Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith received last season.

Other names could pop up over the coming months, but at the moment some of the franchise’s biggest names could be playing for new teams in the not-so-distant future.

Is Todd Bowles On The Hot Seat?

With so many potential changes coming this season, it’s safe to say that head coach Todd Bowles’ future is also up in the air.

After three seasons as Tampa Bay’s defensive coordinator, Bowles took over as head coach last season following Bruce Arians stepping down from the role. Despite an NFC South divisional title, the Buccaneers went just 8-9 and had a first-round exit from the playoffs in a 31-14 blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Now, the pressure is on for Bowles to have a winning team with a new quarterback under center. The former New York Jets head coach was considered a hot seat candidate before the 2022 season even ended, adding even more pressure heading into this upcoming season.

If the Buccaneers can’t roll out a competitive squad in an underperforming division, then Bowles could end up having a very short stint as the head coach in Tampa Bay.

Antonio Brown will play football again but for the Arena League’ Albany, New York, Empire, which he announced on social media on Tuesday, May 23.

Brown, who has part ownership in the franchise, will become the first player-owner in the league’s history. The four-time All-Pro previously played 12 seasons in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He hasn’t played football professionally since January 2, 2022, when he stormed off the field at MetLife Stadium as a member of the Bucs. Tampa Bay released him, and he couldn’t find a new team after that.

His career began with the Steelers where he amassed 11,207 yards and 74 touchdowns in nine seasons. Pittsburgh traded him in 2019 to the then-Oakland Raiders.

Brown’s off-field issues led to his release, but the Patriots picked him up that season. He only played one game for the Patriots with four catches for 56 yards and a touchdown in September 2019.

New England released him due to off-field issues shortly after that game. Things didn’t end for Brown in the NFL, however, as his connection with then-Patriots quarterback Tom Brady aided a comeback in 2020.

Brady left the Patriots in 2020 as a free agent to sign with the Bucs, and he recruited Brown along with former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. Brown signed at midseason and helped the Bucs win a Super Bowl in the 2020 season.

Tampa Bay looked poised to repeat in 2021 with Brady, Gronkowski, and Brown amid all 22 starters back. No team had done it since the Brady-led Patriots in the 2003 and 2004 seasons.

The Bucs came up short amid Brown’s late-regular season exit, injuries, and a failed comeback in the playoffs. Brown had been a key part of that two-year run in Tampa with 87 catches for 1,028 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games played.

Empire a Homecoming for Antonio Brown

Brown retired from the NFL this year, and he took up an ownership stake in the Empire. His father, Eddie Brown, was an Arena League star in Albany during the previous edition of the league in the 2000s.

“I grew up here, as a little kid watching my dad be successful and watching this building erupt,” Antonio Brown said in an introductory press conference.

“For me, to be in a family-oriented city like Albany, being here with my dad and my kids and just giving the community and players the opportunity to live out their dreams,” Brown said. “So for me, it was easy. I’m just excited to be here and excited to bring [the] Albany Empire a three-peat and see the community and these players live out their dreams.”

Antonio Brown Recruiting Cam Newton to Join the Empire

Brown wants a former Patriots quarterback to join him in Albany, but it’s not Brady.

The seven-time Pro Bowler told WNYT’s Rodger Wyland that “he has been in contact with” Cam Newton. The former Patriots and Carolina Panthers quarterback didn’t play in the NFL during the 2022 season.

Newton once had a stellar career with the Panthers where he won MVP in 2015. His play declined at the end of the decade, and he didn’t pan out in New England for the 2020 season before the Patriots cut him in 2021 and made Mac Jones the starter.

The seemingly endless sojourn of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers journeyman quarterback Josh Johnson continues.

Johnson, 37, signed with the Baltimore Ravens for a third time in his career on Monday, May 22, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Once a fifth-round pick by the Bucs in 2008, Johnson “has played for a record 14 teams”, Schefter wrote.

The one-time Bucs backup most recently played for the San Francisco 49ers in a fourth stint. That included an NFC Championship Game appearance in relief of Brock Purdy before sustaining an injury, too.

Johnson’s career took off in college at San Diego amid 9,669 yards passing for 113 touchdowns versus 15 interceptions. He then played four seasons for the Bucs from 2008 to 2011, mostly as a backup.

With the Bucs, Johnson started four games in the 2009 season and five overall amid 1,042 yards passing and five touchdowns versus 10 interceptions. Johnson’s arguably best season with the team came in 2010 when he managed a 95.6 quarterback rating in a wildcat role for 11 games.

Johnson also briefly played for Bucs head coach Todd Bowles in 2015 when both were members of the New York Jets organization.

Josh Johnson Keeps His Journey in Perspective

While Johnson’s career has been filled with releases and waivers between numerous new starts, he’s grateful.

“Being in my 14th year, I’m just thankful I get reps every day,” Johnson said via Denver 9 News in August 2022.

Most of those reps have come in practice whether as a backup or a practice squad member. Johnson has played in 39 games in 14 seasons, and 26 came with the Bucs before 2012.

He has only started four games since 2012, including his most recent in 2021 during his second Ravens stint. Johnson jumped in for Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley and threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns versus one interception.

“A blessing,” Johnson told Denver 9 News. “Didn’t know I was starting for the Ravens until Saturday morning. Stayed up until 3 in the morning the night before the game just making sure that when I heard something it was on my brain. It was fun. Everything in life I just make sure I appreciate everything I go through.”

One Winding NFL Journey

A California native, Johnson headed west to the 49ers as a free agent in 2012, but he didn’t make the team that year. Instead, spent a brief stint with the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League, which folded that same year.

Johnson bounced back to the NFL as he bounced around the league with Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals (twice), and 49ers before the 2015 season. His stops amid more signings and releases took him to the Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Ravens, Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, and Houston Texans through the 2017 campaign.

He couldn’t stick with the then-Oakland Raiders in early 2018 after a release, but he bounced back with the then-Washington Redskins late in the 2018 season. In between, Johnson became the top pick in the Alliance of American Football draft, but he never played a down in that league.

After a short-lived stint with the Detroit Lions in 2019, he bounced after to the XFL where he played for the Los Angeles Wildcats. Johnson found his third stint with the 49ers in 2020 before another release.

It led to second stints with the Jets and Ravens in 2021 followed by a stint with the Broncos in 2022 before the 49ers picked him up — again.

New Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield expects no nonsense this year.

“This is a great group that seems like a no-B.S. squad that’s all about winning,” Mayfield told reporters on Tuesday, May 23.

Tampa Bay won a Super Bowl and two NFC South division titles during the past three seasons with Tom Brady at quarterback. However, the Bucs finished below .500 during that last division title run in 2022 before Brady’s retirement in February.

Mayfield signed with the Bucs in March for $4 million to help alleviate Brady’s departure. The former No. 1 pick in 2018 will compete against Kyle Trask for the starting job.

“This is a place that’s been very welcoming, and I’m excited. Obviously, it’s a one-year deal, and I’m just trying to make the most of it one day at a time,” Mayfield said.

Mayfield also showed confidence that the Bucs could out-perform what the national prognosticators project. The Bucs are generally expected to sink in 2023 despite returning numerous key players from the Brady era.

“I played in this division last year, and I’m pretty sure the Bucs won it,” Mayfield said. “So, I don’t really care what the people in Vegas are putting odds on it — because it’s May. We haven’t played a real snap of football. There’s a long way to go before that.”

Baker Mayfield Likes Bucs’ Targets

If he wins the starting job, Mayfield inherits an offense with Pro Bowl-caliber wide receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Russell Gage and David Moore have been viable third receivers before in their careers.

“Obviously we’ve got two great veterans, and obviously Russell had a little bit of an injury last week, but he was doing really well before that,” Mayfield said. “We have a ton of speed. A lot of young speed.”

The Bucs notably drafted speedy wide receiver Trey Palmer from Nebraska. Second-year receivers Deven Thompkins and Kaylon Geiger likewise have quality speed.

“It’s just trying to get these guys to find their roles and find their place in the system because when we talk about the speed that we have, our tight ends can roll as well,” Mayfield added.

Second-year tight ends Cade Otton and Ko Kieft look to take steps forward as the most experienced veterans of their position group. Rookie Payne Durham, who wears Rob Gronkowski‘s old No. 87, will look to carve out a significant role.

“I know what I am; I’m not going to pretend to be something I’m not,” Durham said in a May 12 press conference. “If you put me in a phone booth, I’ve got to be able to get open so that’s something I’ve always prided myself in being able to do.”

Kyle Trask Shows Conviction Amid QB Battle

Otton, who spoke to the media on Tuesday, explained how Trask could still be the guy throwing passes on Sundays this fall instead of Mayfield. Trask, a 2021 second-round pick, sat behind Brady and backup Blaine Gabbert for two seasons.

“I think I’ve seen him take a step forward in terms of leadership and confidence,” Otton told reporters. “I think it shows on and off the field.”

“You hear about pitchers talk about conviction when they throw the ball, and I feel like I see that in Kyle a little bit more now,” Otton added. “Just conviction, throwing the ball into spots where he thinks guys are going to be, and I’m really excited to see how he progresses.”

Doubts about Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask keep pouring in.

This time it’s how former Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee should have landed with the Bucs instead of the Philadelphia Eagles. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox floated the idea amid his takes on which rookies “were drafted by the wrong team” this year.

Knox wrote that the Eagles “got great value” in McKee with the No. 188 pick in the sixth round. However, Knox noted that destination is “less great for” McKee as he will likely sit behind MVP quarterback Jalen Hurts for years.

“Had McKee landed with the Buccaneers at No. 191, he would probably have had an opportunity to battle Mayfield and Trask for the starting job,” Knox wrote.

McKee, a 6-foot-6, 228-pound quarterback, showed potential as a pocket passer at Stanford. He threw for 5,336 yards and 28 touchdowns in 23 career games for a 131.5 quarterback rating.

Knox also suggested for McKee to stay in California land with the Los Angeles Rams to begin his career instead of the Eagles. The Rams notably took former Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett during the fourth round instead.

“In L.A. or Tampa, McKee might have gotten a chance to be the quarterback of the future,” Knox wrote. “He’ll be part of no such succession plan in Philly.”

Tampa Bay, meanwhile, will roll with Mayfield or Trask amid a sea of doubters nationally. The Bucs notably didn’t draft a quarterback and opted to sign former Rams backup quarterback John Wolford as the third signal caller.

Trask joined the Bucs as a second round draft pick in 2021 as a potential successor to Tom Brady, who retired on February 1. Mayfield signed with the Bucs in March after a topsy-turvy 2022 season where he bounced around three teams that year.

Baker Mayfield Pays Tribute to NFL Great Jim Brown

Mayfield, who began his career with the Cleveland Browns in 2018, paid tribute to recently deceased Browns and NFL great running back Jim Brown. The three-time MVP and eight-time All-Pro died at the age of 87 on Thursday.

“The greatest to ever do it,” Mayfield wrote on Instagram. “Thank you for the conversations and your time and support. Thank you for inspiring greatness in so many in Cleveland and around the world. Rest in peace.”

Jim Brown Believed in Baker Mayfield

If Mayfield wins the starting job in Tampa and plays to the level he did early in his career, he could do to national doubters as he did to Brown in 2018. Brown expressed his doubts amid a “no comment” response to a TMZ Sports interview question in April 2018 about the team’s selection.

That all changed in September 2018 when Mayfield won his debut against the New York Jets in a 21-17 win. Mayfield threw for 201 yards on 17-23 passing.

“He’s a gunslinger, he can throw the ball, he’s got a great attitude, he’s young. I like everything about him,” Brown told TMZ Sports in September 2018.

Mayfield lived up to expectations in Cleveland for a time with the franchise’s first playoff win since 1994 during the 2020 season. Things went south after that when the team traded for Deshaun Watson.

Whether or not Mayfield can rebuild his career in Tampa remains to be seen.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers star wide receiver Mike Evans faces a crossroads this year, but he could wear a different uniform before ever hitting the field this fall.

Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport proposed a trade where the Bucs send Evans to the Kansas City Chiefs. Evan’s future with the Bucs faces uncertainty in the final year of his five-year, $82 million deal on a team that’s retooling after Tom Brady‘s retirement. The Chiefs, meanwhile, could use another Pro Bowl-caliber receiver after losing JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency to the New England Patriots, another team that Davenport floated as a destination.

“The Buccaneers could accelerate a rebuild with the draft capital gained in trading Evans,” Davenport wrote. “And even if Evans isn’t the dominant force he once was, he could still make a big difference for a contending team.”

Davenport noted Evans’ historic nine-consecutive 1,000-yard seasons — unmatched in NFL history. The Bucs’ No. 7 draft  pick in 2014 has amassed 10,425 yards and 81 touchdowns in that span, and he earned four Pro Bowl appearances and one second-team All-Pro appearance.

“However, as consistent and productive as Evans has been throughout his career, he appeared last year to have lost a step —he averaged less than 15 yards a catch for the third straight year and scored his fewest touchdowns since 2017,” Davenport wrote.

Evans tallied 77 receptions for 1,124 yards and six touchdowns in 2022, but previous years signal great potential for an interested team. He tallied 27 touchdowns between 2020 and 2021 in addition to 70 or more receptions both of those seasons.

Loyalty Factor Could Keep Mike Evans in Tampa

Kansas City would also face the hurdle of making a convincing offer amid the loyalty between the Bucs and Evans. Tampa Bay drafted Evans in 2014 with the No. 7 pick, and he restructured his contract multiple times to stay with the team and make room for more talent.

“Publicly, at least, the Buccaneers have given little indication that they intend to move Evans, despite trade rumors that have circulated around the 29-year-old much of the offseason,” Davenport wrote.

As Davenport noted, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles denied any trade consideration for Evans. Bowles called Evans “one of my favorite guys on the team” in an interview with CBS’ Pete Prisco as transcribed by JoeBucsFan.com.

Mike Evans Set Pass a Bunch of Big Names in 2023

If Evans continues on his career trajectory in 2023, he will eclipse a slew of past big-name receivers as JoeBucsFan.com noted.

Evans has averaged nine touchdowns per season, which puts him at 30th on the all-time list with 81 career scores. If Evans gets at least nine touchdowns, he will pass Calvin Johnson, Irving Fryar, Andre Rison, Antonio Brown, Andre Reed, and Reggie Wayne among others.

As JoeBucsFan.com pointed out, Evans will tie former Bucs tight end Rob Gronkowski at 92 with 11 touchdowns in 2023. The Bucs blogger gave a little extra nod to Evans if that were to happen.

“Joe would love to see Evans clock 11 touchdowns this season,” JoeBucsFan.com wrote. “Gronk needed 11 seasons [to reach 92] — with the greatest quarterback in NFL history throwing him the football.”

Evans had three seasons of Brady, five seasons of mainly Jameis Winston, and Josh McCown primarily before that.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White has a tenuous future with the team, and a proposed trade proposal involving White could help.

The Bucs could land Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and two draft picks in exchange for White, as proposed by NFL Analysis Network’s Kenneth Teape. That trade would clear $11.7 million in salary cap space for the Bucs and bring in a young, dynamic playmaker. In addition the Bucs would get a fifth-round pick in 2024 plus a second round and fourth round pick in 2025, based on Teape’s proposal.

While Teape acknowledged “that could be a tough sell for Tampa Bay”, the Bucs land a fourth-year receiver who scored six touchdowns last season. Jeudy was a bright spot in the Broncos offense with 67 receptions for 972 yards. He has a career average of 14.6 yards per catch and season-high receptions of 40, 67, and 92 yards.

With the Bucs, Jeudy would add a third receiver who has gone over 50 catches and 800 yards in two of the past three seasons. Jeudy would give the Bucs strong receiver depth and solidify the future at the position.

Bucs star receiver Mike Evans could become a free agent in 2024, and he could command a big contract after his five-year, $82.5 million deal. Fellow Bucs star receiver Chris Godwin could hit free agency in 2025 and could command $12.4 million annually per Over the Cap. Keeping both Evans and Godwin won’t come easy.

Tampa also wouldn’t have to wait until 2025 to use the second-round pick from the Broncos. The Bucs hypothetically could use the pick for a future trade before 2025.

As Teape noted, NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks previously floated the Broncos as a trade destination for White. The Broncos could especially use White for slowing down Kansas City Chiefs superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, as Brooks noted. White helped the Bucs shutdown Mahomes in a 31-9 win for the 2021 Super Bowl.

Bucs May Have Suitors for Devin White Sooner Than Later: Insider

If the Broncos don’t pull a trade, the Bucs could find a suitor later in 2023 as ESPN’s Bill Barnwell sees it. White has one year left on his contract with the Bucs.

“If the Buccaneers collapse and think White’s going to leave in free agency, though, he could end up being offered for trades before the midseason deadline,” Barnwell wrote.

White, a second-team All-Pro that year, had been a key part of the Bucs’ success during the Tom Brady era. The former No. 5 pick tallied 20.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries, 483 tackles, and an interception.

Devin White, Bucs Add Odds Over Contract

White asked for a trade earlier this offseason according to ESPN’s Jenna Laine. The fifth-year linebacker and former Pro Bowler seeks a new contract for 2024, and the two sides haven’t worked it out yet according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Meanwhile, the Bucs have been adamant about keeping White, though he hasn’t participated in offseason team activities.

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles downplayed White’s absence.

“No more conversation but the offseason is all voluntary so it’s not really a big deal right now,” Bowles told reporters on May 12. “I have not [spoken to White] but our coaches have and I understand where we are at this point.”

Waiting things out seems like “the most likely scenario” for both sides as Barnwell sees it.