Buccaneers QB Tom Brady announced his retirement Wednesday morning via social media, and he says it's "for good" this time. We'll all obviously be waiting to confirm that throughout the offseason after last year's 1st crack at retirement, but we're taking the 45-year-old at his word. Brady's retirement officially leaves the Bucs with only Kyle Trask under contract at the position. They'll pick 19th in the upcoming NFL Draft, which might prove a little low for selecting an immediate successor. NFL free agency holds some potential options, including Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and Jimmy Garoppolo. Daniel Jones and Geno Smith are currently set to hit the market as well, though they're generally expected to re-sign with their current teams. Derek Carr and Aaron Rodgers also sit as potential trade targets, though Tampa Bay might not have the salary-cap space to fit either of them. We'll be tracking this situation closely for the sake of WRs Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.
The Buccaneers are expected to fire OC Byron Leftwich, according to Pewter Report. Just a year ago, Tampa Bay was coming off 3 straight years among the league's top 3 in scoring and Leftwich was getting interviews for HC gigs elsewhere. But the 2022 Bucs ranked just 25th in points, 15th in yards and 16th in Football Outsiders offensive DVOA (down from 1st in 2021). We'd bet on Leftwich getting an opportunity elsewhere. The Bucs, meanwhile, seem likely to have a QB question to answer, with Tom Brady's contract up.
Update: Greg Auman of FOX Sports reports that HC Todd Bowles says no decision has been made yet on Leftwich's job status.
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