TAMPA, Fla. ― Bruce Arians remained home from the Senior Bowl workouts this week, trying to rest and recover from a debilitating Achilles injury.
Like his team, he is down but not out.
Why would Arians, who will be 70 on Oct. 3, want to continue as the Bucs’ head coach now that quarterback Tom Brady has retired?
Because he knows it’s too early for people to begin shoveling dirt on the Bucs’ coffin.
There is no replacing Brady, arguably the greatest NFL player of all time. But Tampa Bay could find a quarterback that gives it a better chance to win in 2022 than Kyle Trask, a second-year quarterback the organization is still very high on.
Perhaps more importantly, the Bucs have enough good players still on their roster to remain a destination spot for free agents.
They also have a veteran coaching staff that begins with Arians and could still include offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
“We’ve got a lot of really good young players on this team,” general manager Jason Licht said Tuesday, noting that seven (outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett, wide receiver Mike Evans, guard Ali Marpet, inside linebacker Devin White, safety Antoine Winfield Jr., tackle Tristan Wirfs and nose tackle Vita Vea) of the Bucs’ nine Pro Bowlers return next season.
“We’re going to try to re-sign some of our players back, and we’ll continue to explore players in free agency, as well. We have the draft coming up. We’re here in Mobile right now (at the Senior Bowl), working on that. We do not feel at all like we’re in a situation where we have to completely start from scratch with this roster whatsoever. We have a lot of good players, (and) a lot of teams wish they were in our position.”
That’s not to say the Bucs don’t have a lot of work to do this offseason.
Six offensive regulars can be free agents, including tight ends Rob Gronkowski and O.J. Howard, tailback Leonard Fournette and center Ryan Jensen. Of course, the list begins with receiver Chris Godwin, who is recovering from a torn ACL and could receive the franchise tag again.
On defense, the Bucs face the prospect of losing players such as cornerback Carlton Davis, safety Jordan Whitehead, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, defensive end William Gholston and outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul.
Ultimately, money plays the biggest role in where a free agent will sign. The Bucs have $6.98 million of salary-cap space, which ranks 21st in the league. But they have ways of increasing that by restructuring contracts and pushing that debt to future years.
There’s no doubt having Brady made it easier to lure players. Gronkowski doesn’t come out of retirement unless he could be reunited with the only NFL starting quarterback he’s played with. Brady also had an influence over the signing of Fournette and receiver Antonio Brown (since released).
The Bucs have some priorities that go beyond securing a quarterback. They have needs at receiver, offensive line and defensive end.
“Right now, we have a lot of priorities just like we do every year,” Licht said. “Even coming off the Super Bowl, you have priorities like we (did) last year. We want to be better, be faster, be more athletic, and we want to be physical to play on our teams. We have a lot of decisions we have to make here in the coming weeks.”
But Tampa Bay, with the quality of life and no state income tax, has an advantage over a lot of NFL teams.
The schedule is daunting, with games against eight playoff teams, but Licht is hopeful the culture built by Brady and Arians will remain.
“It’s been said a lot, but it can’t be said enough that this team and this locker room is as tight as I’ve ever seen one,” Licht said, “and I think that was one of the major keys ― in addition to having Tom Brady and Bruce Arians as our head coach ― to us winning.
“I think that will continue. We’re losing a legend in Tom and no one wants to lose a legend, but the lessons that he’s provided with these guys with just his actions and his leadership – along with our head coach — are going to continue to lead our team and continue to build on it.”
The Bucs’ front office also currently remains intact. Licht has presided over several stellar drafts, acquiring players such as Wirfs, Winfield, Vea, White, Davis, Whitehead and cornerbacks Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean. They select 27th overall but have been known to move up in the first round.
“Everyone will step up, and they’ve learned throughout the last couple of years how to do that,” Licht said. “I think just the experience that they’ve had the last couple of years playing with Tom Brady are lessons that are invaluable. We’re very excited about the future still. We’re very excited about the team that we have, and we will just continue to march forward.”
