3 Tom Brady replacement options that could get Bucs back to Super Bowl
By Josh Wilson
Tom Brady seems to be done with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If that’s true, these quarterbacks could prolong the Super Bowl expectation era.
Based on some new rumors related to Tom Brady’s offseason decision, he’s probably done with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Look, the man could be done in the NFL for all we know, too, but reports from NFL insider Ian Rapoport suggested those in Tampa Bay do not really expect him to be back next year.
Who could blame him? It was a rocky season, the first losing year of his career as a starter, and though the Bucs made the playoffs, it was kind of a disaster all year long, even though the expectation was and always will be Super Bowl or bust with Brady under center.
So, moving forward, how can the Bucs prolong that Super Bowl expectation with a Brady replacement, assuming they are, in fact, unable to come to an agreement to re-sign him?
We already looked at realistic replacement options for Brady. Now let’s look at some options that are a little more optimistic, but if the Bucs can land them, would actually raise hopes of a title.
Tom Brady replacements to keep Super Bowl hopes alive for Buccaneers: Daniel Jones
It’s a little bold to say Daniel Jones comes with a Super Bowl expectation. But Jones had a legitimately good season this year, is in the divisional round of the playoffs, and has restored the narrative around his capabilities and trajectory in the NFL.
Is he a Super Bowl quarterback right now? No. But if the Bucs can land him in free agency this offseason, they could extend his development and get him to that point. He did go further than the Bucs this year!
Jones put up over 3,200 passing yards this season, threw for 15 touchdowns, and lowered his interception rate to a league-leading 1.1 percent. His interceptions have declined each year so far and his seasonal quarterback rating hit a new high this year as well.
Some respected names in NYG circles are likening him to Eli Manning. Not a flashy comparison, but probably fair. And after all, Manning won two Super Bowls.
More than anything, Jones’s inclusion on this list illustrates an important point: There aren’t many no-brainer options even out there for the Bucs to consider replacing Tom Brady with. Arguably, there is only one on this list that immediately instills a level of hope for Bucs fans in their team getting back to preseason Super Bowl predictions.