Replacing Brady not only challenge Bucs face in free agency
By The Associated Press - Mar. 10, 2022 05:01 PM EST
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, March 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, March 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (14-5)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: LB Jason Pierre-Paul, G Alex Cappa, C Ryan Jensen, DT Ndamukong Suh, TE Rob Gronkowski, DL Will Gholston, RB Leonard Fournette, TE O.J. Howard, RB Ronald Jones, CB Richard Sherman, RB Giovani Bernard, CB Carlton Davis, S Jordan Whitehead, QB Blaine Gabbert, G Aaron Stinnie, LB Kevin Minter, DT Steve McLendon, T Josh Wells, S Andrew Adams, DE Pat O’Connor.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: LS Zach Triner.

NEEDS: A year after having all the answers to keeping a championship roster intact around Tom Brady, general manager Jason Licht and coach Bruce Arians face an even bigger challenge. They must replace the retired seven-time Super Bowl-winner. In addition to identifying a new starting QB, the surprise retirement of Pro Bowl G Ali Marpet presents the prospect of replacing as many as three starters on the offensive line if Jenson and Cappa move on via free agency. The team placed the franchise tag on WR Chris Godwin for the second straight year, and some other needs can be filled by re-signing free agents, including Davis and Whitehead. Running back is a priority, too, with Fournette, Jones and Bernard headed to the open market.

AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $10.84 million over.

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