With Tom Brady retired, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a quarterback problem.
They are not the only team in the NFL dealing with this; it seems to be an epidemic.
Could the Bucs orchestrate a no-hassle transition to Brady’s backup, free agent Blaine Gabbert, in 2022?
It is only February so there is plenty of time to change his mind, but Coach Bruce Arians seems to think Gabbert is a real possibility.
Blaine Gabbert ➡️ QB1 in Tampa Bay? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/ZXLHVMbkqd
— theScore (@theScore) February 23, 2022
Arians raises a good point about Gabbert being shuffled around under different coaches and coordinators, but it still does not seem as though Gabbert is a reliable starting quarterback for the Bucs, and here are the reasons why.
1. A Trusty Backup
Some quarterbacks are meant to be backups, and this is not a bad thing.
There are only 32 starters each season so there is a limited amount of starting jobs available.
Gabbert has been in the NFL for 10 years; he presumably had many chances to compete for a starting job in those 10 seasons.
Instead, he has started only 48 games.
.@Realrclark25 says Blaine Gabbert shouldn’t replace Tom Brady.
“I’m sure he has respect in the locker room. Last time I checked, respect ain’t never win you no football games.” pic.twitter.com/XIg3U7LNcn
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 24, 2022
2. Never Played A Full Season
Doing the math from above, Gabbert’s career average is four starts per season, and even that number is misleading.
Of his 48 starts, 24 came in his first two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011 and 2012.
Going from his previous average to starting a 17 game regular season at 32 years of age seems unrealistic.
3. Inexperienced In Big Game Moments
The Bucs fell short of repeating as Super Bowl Champions, but this is still a very good team that has stars who can perform in big-game moments.
This team has Leonard Fournette and Mike Evans as just a couple of their offensive weapons.
They need a quarterback who has managed the pressure in big games to lead them into the postseason in the post-Tom Brady era.
Gabbert is not that guy.
Blaine Gabbert starting for the Bucs is the definition of cowardice. It’s literally saying “we’re cool not winning a Super Bowl in 2022.” Not sure how you can justify that watching the Rams. Even if you can’t find someone else, Gabbert doesn’t push the franchise forward one iota.
— The Pewter Plank (@ThePewterPlank) February 22, 2022
Gabbert Is Iffy, And There Are Other Potential QB1s Available
Because there are so many question marks associated with Gabbert and the fact that there are reportedly big named quarterbacks looking to relocate in this offseason, the Bucs need to get off the Gabbert bandwagon and invest in a new starting quarterback.
Jimmy Garoppolo, Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Carson Wentz, and Mitchell Trubisky are possibilities that the Bucs need to conduct due diligence on.
Offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich can help work with Wentz and Trubiskly at these critical crossroads of their careers.
Not a scheme fit.. but considering the other options are Blaine Gabbert & Kyle Trask… Jimmy is better than those two. https://t.co/ZBq9X4CzHr
— BrianCarter99 (@BrianPNW99) February 21, 2022
However, if the Bucs want to go big, Los Angeles Rams style, they will pursue a veteran who can make the seamless transition and not be afraid to walk in Tom Brady’s shadow.
Given that they are only one year removed from their Super Bowl Championship, veterans should want to come to Tampa Bay.
They see how well the transition worked out for Brady and want a similar experience.
In the meantime, Gabbert is a trusty backup who can show this new quarterback the ropes and be the Tampa tour guide so the Bucs should definitely re-sign him in that capacity.
NEXT: The Buccaneers May Go With A Surprise Option At QB