Blaine Gabbert is actually an ideal backup for Tom Brady

It’s easy to lament bringing him back, but Blaine Gabbert is actually an ideal backup for Tom Brady in Tampa Bay.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made their big move this offseason by signing Tom Brady. So Thursday’s news they’ve signed quarterback Blaine Gabbert to a one-year deal wasn’t a needle mover.

Gabbert signed with the Buccaneers last year, but he wound up missing most of the season with a dislocated shoulder. He is of course best remembered as the 10th overall pick in the 2011 draft, followed by a 5-22 record as the starter for the Jacksonville Jaguars over the next three seasons.

Brady has only had one significant injury in his career, a torn ACL that cost him most of the 2008 season. Tampa Bay’s offensive line was better than it seemed last year, when strictly looking at sacks allowed, but there is risk in not having a better backup plan for a quarterback who will turn 43 in August.

Gabbert has a dismal 13-35 record as an NFL starter, which (news flash) is not good. The most recent of those starts, and his last meaningful game action, game for the Tennessee Titans in Week 17 of the 2018 season. He went 18-for-29 for 165 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in a loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

But on the other hand, Gabbert is an ideal choice to back up Brady in Tampa Bay.

Gabbert has those 48 starts on his resume, for better or worse with 48 touchdowns, 47 interceptions and 32 fumbles in his career. He made five starts for the Arizona Cardinals in 2017, under current Buccaneers’ head coach Bruce Arians. So he has knowledge of Arians’ offense, and would certainly be a valuable resource for Brady under any circumstance.

But in what will be a unique NFL offseason due to the coronavirus pandemic, Gabbert stands to be a bit more valuable as Brady and Arians begin working together. Even if correspondence is limited to video chats, Gabbert will be a key cog in the Buccaneers’ offensive wheel over the coming weeks and months.

Let’s not get it twisted–if Brady suffers a serious injury the Buccaneers’ 2020 season is effectively over. But dismissing Gabbert’s value, based solely on the expected drop-off in level of play if he had to step in, is a failure to see the bigger picture.