When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers woke up on Tuesday morning, they could comfortably expect to contend for another Lombardi Trophy in 2022-23. At least, that’s what oddsmakers were telling them.
At +1300, Tampa Bay had the fourth-shortest odds at Tipico Sportsbook to win Super Bowl 57—behind only this year’s final four of the Buffalo Bills (+650), Kansas City Chiefs (+650), Los Angeles Rams (+1200) and tied with the Cincinnati Bengals and San Francisco 49ers.
Then Tom Brady retired (officially, like for real this time). No question about it. Brady wrote a lengthy Instagram post and all declaring his time in the NFL was over.
And, amazingly, Bucs futures haven’t moved an inch.
Tampa Bay’s odds to win Super Bowl 57 remained among the shortest in the NFL. Similarly, the Bucs’ odds to win the NFC held steady +550.
There are a few reasons bettors might not be ready to give up on Tampa Bay as a contender. For starters, it’s not like Brady is taking the rest of the team with him into retirement. A star-studded wideout corps led by Mike Evans and Chris Godwin remains in place. So does a terrifying defense anchored by Vita Vea, Lavonte David and Shaquil Barrett.
The Bucs may not even have to struggle to find a suitable replacement for Brady. This year’s quarterback carousel could see a number of high profile names moved with Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan and Jimmy Garoppolo among those expected to hit the trade block.
Even as Brady calls it a career, Tampa Bay should remain a powerhouse in the NFC. Oddsmakers don’t expect anything less.
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