3 Tom Brady replacement options that could get Bucs back to Super Bowl

Tom Brady replacements to keep Super Bowl hopes alive for Buccaneers: Lamar Jackson

This is perhaps the only (maybe) available option for the Buccaneers to pursue if they want to get back in the Super Bowl conversation off the name of their quarterback alone. Jackson is a former MVP and a proven winner. Whoever starts the year with him next year should at least be considered a marginal postseason threat, TB included.

The Lamar Jackson story will be one to track league-wide all offseason long. The ending to the season for Jackson was peculiar at best, and the lack of an extension before this season underscored all of his success this year.

In the end, he wasn’t on the field when the Ravens played in the playoffs and the team was bounced in the first round.

Outwardly, the Ravens have committed to Jackson and say they want to keep him in Baltimore long-term. That said, they’ve had plenty of time to get a deal done before the situation became dire and have been unable or unwilling to meet in the middle with him.

So, does he become available this offseason? The Ravens could make him restricted, but that gives other teams the opportunity to give him an offer sheet that the Ravens can match, or opt not to.

Jackson is from the southern Florida region, so Tampa Bay is at least somewhat familiar to him. It’s not Miami, but why not give Tampa a shot?

In the end, though, we can’t say this feels like a strong possibility. Perhaps the Bucs will need to turn toward the more realistic options instead and hope there is a gem there.