The script for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2020 NFL season had already been written with the signing of quarterback Tom Brady in free agency.
After all, the stage was set with Tampa Bay preparing to play host to Super Bowl LV. They certainly had good reason to believe now that Brady arrived intent on restoring this team to its former glory all while bearing the same initials as the city itself.
If that was not enough, the Bucs went out and made sure to get Brady's most trusted receiving target in now-unretired tight end Rob Gronkowski. After the pair had paved the way for three Super Bowl wins with the New England Patriots, their former team was now forced to watch them reunite essentially in exchange for a fourth-round pick.
Expectations are now higher than ever for the Buccaneers given the level of talent that was already on the roster. Waiting to get well-acquainted with Brady is arguably the league's top wide receiver duo in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. They also have a surplus of talent at tight end position with Gronkowski, OJ Howard and Cameron Brate. Even if the team ultimately opts to trade Howard, it should have little impact on their case as bona fide Super Bowl contenders.
Brady has won championships with far less at his disposal and head coach Bruce Arians has proven more than capable of making the necessary adjustments to utilize the talents under center. Of course, the Bucs still have a few notable voids on the roster they will need to address through the 2020 NFL Draft and the rest of the offseason.
Tampa Bay was able to avoid any significant turnover up front by welcoming back four starters on the offensive line. Regardless, they will still need to address the open right tackle spot left by Demar Dotson in free agency in order to fortify Brady's protection. Although they managed to signed versatile offensive lineman Joe Haeg, they may need to secure a more long-term option early in the draft.
While there is certainly no shortage of firepower on offense between Evans, Godwin and Gronkowski, the prospect of the Buccaneers going all in on shoring up Brady's supporting cast is not far-fetched. Arians has acknowledged the idea of potentially bringing in another running back outside of Ronald Jones that could serve as a viable pass-catcher out of the backfield. They could also look to secure another No. 3 wideout after losing Breshad Perriman in free agency, and this year's rich receiver class should leave them with plenty of options.
History has a tendency to repeat itself and sports are hardly an exceptions to this notion. Brady's track record indicates that when he has garnered enough star power for his cause, the rest of the NFL better take notice.
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