The outlook of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed when Tom Brady decided to return for his 23rd NFL season.
Without him, fans would find it hard to be optimistic that the team will return to the playoffs.
But when he ended his brief retirement, the Buccaneers are back on the map.
Players would want to play with the seven-time Super Bowl champion, like this update that NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport shared.
Sources: The #Bucs are re-signing RB Leonard Fournette, as more of Tom Brady’s friends return to Tampa. He gets a 3-year deal worth $21M up to $24M.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 22, 2022
Rapoport tweeted, “Sources: The #Bucs are re-signing RB Leonard Fournette, as more of Tom Brady’s friends return to Tampa. He gets a 3-year deal worth $21M up to $24M.”
It was Brady who recruited Fournette to join him in Tampa Bay when he transferred from the New England Patriots.
The former Jacksonville Jaguar was instrumental in the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl LV victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ironically, Fournette decided to sign his extension with Tampa Bay a day after he visited the Patriots.
Stability In The Backfield
Before Fournette re-signed, the Buccaneers backfield looked bleak.
For a while, Ke’Shawn Vaughn was their top running back after Giovani Bernard and Ronald Jones left for free agency.
Fournette gives Tampa Bay a marquee back that tallied 812 rushing yards and eight touchdowns last season.
He’s also an option in the passing game with 454 yards and two touchdowns over the past two seasons.
But while Fournette returns to the fray, the Buccaneers must address their offensive line.
Ali Marpet announced his retirement after seven NFL seasons while Alex Cappa joined the Cincinnati Bengals.
Their absence may spell a huge difference to the Buccaneers’ run attack, especially because Marpet is often the player that goes for pull blocks for Fournette.
Tampa Bay must address the holes they left to continuously help Fournette.
NEXT: Buccaneers Could Still Reportedly Trade Chris Godwin
