Fansided

5 NFL teams that became playoff contenders in free agency

By Nicholas McGee

Tyrod Taylor, Los Angeles Chargers. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Tyrod Taylor, Los Angeles Chargers. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots yells to teammates on the field during the the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots yells to teammates on the field during the the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

There are few who do not consider the Buccaneers winners of free agency following the signing of Tom Brady.

Replacing a quarterback as turnover prone as Jameis Winston with one as intelligent with the football as Brady is an obvious recipe for success. The Buccaneers finished 7-9 in 2019 but it is intriguing to think about how much better they could have been had Winston not thrown 30 interceptions.

Logic says Brady, despite showing some signs of decline in his final season with the New England Patriots, should thrive with a supporting cast featuring Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

He will also find a defense not short on difference makers. Shaquil Barrett was rightly franchise tagged after leading the NFL in sacks last season with 19.5.

The ceiling of the Buccaneers will hinge on Brady’s ability to gel quickly with Evans and Godwin and Barrett proving he’s not a one-season wonder.

Barrett’s task will theoretically be made easier by the return of Ndamukong Suh on a one-year deal. Suh is not the force he once was on the interior but is still capable of drawing the attention of offensive linemen and taking double teams away from edge rushers.

Should the defense improve and the offense operate in a more efficient manner, the Bucs will be firmly in the conversation to win the NFC South.

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