Buccaneers: 1 trade, 1 signing and 1 draft pick to replace Tom Brady

Jan 16, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks on before a wild card game against the Dallas Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady likely won’t be back with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023, so how do they replace him?

The 2023 offseason is going to be one of big changes for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

After a season that saw Tom Brady take a step back and, for the first time ever, look his age, it might be time to plan for life without Brady.

Actually, some Bucs players already think he’s going to leave Tampa Bay. So, if the Bucs were smart, they’d start planning ahead. Fortunately, there are several options for Tampa Bay to replace Brady, starting with a trade.

One trade for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to replace Tom Brady: Derek Carr via Las Vegas

First up, let’s talk trades for Tampa Bay. The Raiders are looking to unload Derek Carr via trade, if possible, before they would ultimately cut him in order to save against their cap. This would have to work out in a few aspects for both sides, along with Carr, but it could get done.

Initially, Carr would be best served if he agreed to a contract restructuring with Tampa Bay. The Bucs are hard-pressed against the salary cap as it is, but in order to land a vested veteran quarterback like Carr, they would have to make it work. Getting Carr to Tampa, first and foremost, is step number one.

If a restructuring was something Carr could get behind, especially with an opportunity to win and have weapons like the Bucs do, then it would work out for him and the Bucs. To this point, he’s made plenty of cash throughout his career. Now, it’s time to focus on winning, if he so chooses.

If Carr were to head to Tampa Bay, maybe the Bucs execute a trade involving Brady where the teams wouldn’t have to give up ample draft capital. At this stage, it would be more just about swapping veteran quarterbacks. Maybe a couple of late picks come into play, but this is mostly about the contract situations for both guys, as well as a possible restructuring for Carr.