If recent rumors are to be believed, then the days of OJ Howard with the Tambay Bay Buccaneers are numbered.

On Michael Lombardi's The GM Shuffle podcast, the former football executive turned analyst revealed that Howard might be traded in the near future — particularly by next week — as the Buccaneers try to trade him.

“I think Howard's got a great name, but I think there's an instinctive issue going on. I think he's going to be available,” Lombardi said.

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Such rumors were centered on quarterback legend Tom Brady, who shocked the football world by inking a hefty two-year deal with the Buccaneers this offseason. With Brady in the fold, the football club is bent on retooling their roster.

OJ Howard, the 19th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, failed to develop into a star tight end. In his first three seasons, he failed to reach the 600-yard mark. Last year, he caught just a single touchdown in 14 games.

As such, a partnership with Brady wouldn't likely work given Howard's mediocre performance.

The trade rumor involving Howard and the Buccaneers has triggered louder whispers regarding Rob Gronkowski's possible return to football. The tight end retired last year due to health concerns.

Such whispers mushroomed right when Brady joined the Buccaneers. Fans and analysts quickly concocted a dream scenario of a Brady and Gronk reunion. There are numerous things to be ironed out, such as the fact that the Patriots still hold Gronk's rights. Be as it may, the rumors suggest that the Bucs are not letting go of this once-in-a-lifetime chance of having one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time donning their uniform.