Bruce Arians
FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht, left, address the audience with linebackers Lavonte David, center, and Devin White during a celebration of their Super Bowl 55 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Tampa, Fla., in this Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, file photo. When Jason Licht declared he was going to do everything he could to keep the Tampa Bay Buccaneers together, no one envisioned the process going as smoothly as it has for the Super Bowl champions. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Bucs GM says winning culture helped keep SB roster together

By Fred Goodall Apr. 02, 2021 06:13 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski (87), left, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrate together after the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Tampa, Fla. NFL Films has been chronicling Tom Brady’s career since he entered the league in 2000, but there are still times when there are still new things to reveal. That is the case with this year’s Super Bowl film, chronicling Brady’s seventh championship and his first with the Tampa Buccaneers. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano, File)
Bucs' Super Bowl film showcases Brady and Tampa Bay D

By Joe Reedy Mar. 23, 2021 05:59 PM EDT

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians holds the Vince Lombardi trophy following the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. Tampa Bay won 31-9. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Free-agent pickups have made a difference for some champions

By Rob Maaddi Mar. 16, 2021 12:56 PM EDT

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) looks to throw a pass while in the grasp of Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett, right, during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Barrett, Gronkowski agree to deals to stay with Buccaneers

By Fred Goodall Mar. 15, 2021 02:28 PM EDT

Super Bowl champion Bucs focused on keeping roster intact

By The Associated Press Mar. 12, 2021 05:01 PM EST
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (15-5) UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: LB Shaquil Barrett, TE Rob Gronkowski, WR Antonio Brown, RB Leonard Fournette, DT...

FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady leaves the field an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, in this Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, file photo. om Brady has agreed to a contract extension with the Buccaneers that provides the Super Bowl champions with much-needed salary cap relief and will help the seven-time NFL champion reach a goal of playing until he’s at least 45. Brady posted a picture of himself on Twitter, signing the extension Friday, March 12, 2021, with the message: “In pursuit of 8 ... LFG@ Buccaneers we’re keeping the band together.” (AP Photo/Brett Duke, File)
Brady signs extension, frees salary cap space for Buccaneers

By Fred Goodall Mar. 12, 2021 02:39 PM EST

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, file photo, Washington Football Team offensive guard Brandon Scherff stands on the sideline prior to an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Football Team, in Landover, Md. On Monday, March 8, 2021, Washington announced they've placed the franchise tag on guard Brandon Scherff for a second consecutive year. Scherff is coming off his first All-Pro season. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)
Receivers Godwin, Robinson top franchise tag list

By Barry Wilner Mar. 09, 2021 04:46 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receivers Mike Evans, left, and Chris Godwin take part in a celebration of the team's Super Bowl 55 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, following a boat parade Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Super Bowl champ Bucs place franchise tag on WR Chris Godwin

By Fred Goodall Mar. 09, 2021 04:43 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady holds his daughter Vivian Lake while waving to fans during a celebration of their Super Bowl 55 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs with a boat parade, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Licht: Buccaneers open to giving Brady a contract extension

By Fred Goodall Feb. 24, 2021 05:22 PM EST

FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020 file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) makes a diving catch in front of Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Rashad Fenton (27) during the second half of an NFL football game in Tampa, Fla. Applying franchise and even transition tags to players can have major ramifications on a team's present and future. That was never more of a consideration than this year, with the salary cap decreasing by, for now, $18 million. That's the first time the cap has gone down, which is due to lost revenues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.(AP Photo/Jason Behnken, File)
Playing tag is no kids' game for NFL teams

By Barry Wilner Feb. 23, 2021 05:12 PM EST

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson walks off the field before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Houston. Star quarterback Deshaun Watson has requested a trade from the Houston Texans, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, because they weren’t authorized to discuss the request publicly. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
NFL carousel will spin soon, and not just for quarterbacks

By Barry Wilner Feb. 10, 2021 12:10 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL football tight end Rob Gronkowski dances as he and others celebrate their Super Bowl 55 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs with a boat parade in Tampa, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. (Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Brady-Brate trophy pass wows Bucs' Super Bowl boat parade

By Fred Goodall Feb. 10, 2021 09:48 AM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Antoine Winfield Jr. taunts Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill after a play during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Analysis: Bucs laugh off fouls as Chiefs see red over yellow

By Arnie Stapleton Feb. 09, 2021 02:29 AM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates with head coach Bruce Arians following the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. Tampa Bay won 31-9. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Bucs hope to keep core together to chase another Super Bowl

By Fred Goodall Feb. 08, 2021 12:39 PM EST

FILE - In this Jan. 9, 2021, file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant defensive line coach Lori Locust looks on before an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Washington Football Team in Landover, Md. Maral Javadifar, assistant strength and conditioning coach, and Locust follow in Katie Sowers' footsteps with the Bucs the only NFL team with two female coaches this season. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr., File)
Bucs' Javadifar, Locust 1st female coaches to win Super Bowl

Feb. 08, 2021 03:23 AM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski, left, and quarterback Tom Brady celebrate after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs 31-9 to win the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New normal: Brady gets 7th trophy in a season to remember

Feb. 08, 2021 03:12 AM EST

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) sits on the field after an incomplete pass as Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebacker Devin White (45) looks on in the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Buccaneers defense rises to occasion again in Super Bowl win

By Fred Goodall Feb. 08, 2021 12:13 AM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates with head coach Bruce Arians following the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. Tampa Bay won 31-9. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Bucs' Arians scoffs at rumors, says he's returning 'for 2'

By Mark Long Feb. 07, 2021 11:42 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Rob Gronkowski (87) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
AP PHOTOS: Tom Brady wins 7th Super Bowl, 1st with Tampa Bay

Feb. 07, 2021 11:38 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady celebrates with his children after the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs 31-9 to win the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Column: Brady remains great in a season like no other

By Tim Dahlberg Feb. 07, 2021 11:37 PM EST