Tom Brady replacements: 3 quarterbacks Bucs can add if he retires

2. Jameis Winston

There is always the chance to bring back a familiar face in Jameis Winston.

The Buccaneers used their first-overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft to select Winston as their starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. That really did not go off to plan, especially with Winston’s ability to turn over the ball at an alarming rate (i.e. his 30-for-30 season in 2019). After the Buccaneers brought in Brady, Winston signed with the rival New Orleans Saints to sit behind Drew Brees and learn from head coach Sean Payton, and it paid off this past season.

Winston shined in the Saints’ 2021 season-opener, where he threw five touchdown passes in the team’s 38-3 victory over the Green Bay Packers. He may not have lit up the stat sheet prior to his season-ending knee injury in Week 8, but he significantly reduced his turnovers.

In seven games, Winston threw for 1,170 yards, 14 touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 59.0-percent of his passes.

With Winston being an unrestricted free agent, it would not be shocking if head coach Bruce Arians were to turn back to Winston once Brady retires.