Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard seemed in danger of being traded almost as soon as the Bucs acquired former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski on Tuesday.
But Howard reportedly wanted out of South Florida before the Gronkowski trade,anyway. According to JoeBucsFan.com, the tight end is ready for a “fresh start:”
“O.J. Howard is eager for a fresh start with a new NFL team and it’s not a post-Gronk-trade development for the Bucs’ 2017 first-round pick, JoeBucsFan.com learned from a trusted source today.
“This doesn’t mean Howard is having a tantrum and demanding a trade, but it does mean Howard is over the Bucs as least as much as it appears they are over him.”
The Bucs had already been shopping O.J. Howard, and they had even reached out to the Washington Redskins in a potential swap involving Redskins left tackle Trent Williams, per Jenna Laine of ESPN:
A source told ESPN that the Bucs were in discussions to trade Howard two months ago to the Washington Redskins in exchange for offensive tackle Trent Williams, but talks fell through. The Bucs have until May 5 to determine if they'll pick up the fifth-year option on Howard's contract for 2021.
It seems likelier the Buccaneers will trade Howard before picking up his fifth-year option.
The former Alabama man has shown bursts of potential. He had six receiving touchdowns in his rookie campaign and posted 34 receptions for 565 yards in just 10 games in 2018.
But given the Bucs still have Cameron Brate and now Gronkowski, it makes little sense for them to retain a third tight end. Plus, teams like the Chicago Bears might be opening to exploring Howard's market.
There is even a chance the Bucs look to swap Howard for a 2020 draft pick, given proceedings begin later Thursday night.
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