USAT: Buccs Wire audio clip

USAT: Buccs Wire

Mar 21, 2022

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were about to head into free agency with a long list of big question marks, the most massive being at quarterback, following Tom Brady’s retirement. - Then came a phone call, and an announcement, and the GOAT was back for a 23rd NFL season, his third with the Bucs. - After that, more questions started to get answered. Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen agreed to a new three-year extension just hours later. Top cornerback Carlton Davis III re-signed on a three-year deal of his own. Then came another three-year extension, this time for franchise player and Pro Bowl wide receiver Chris Godwin. - Oh, and a couple of new faces in wide receiver Russell Gage (free agency) and offensive guard Shaq Mason (trade with Patriots). - Just how much did Brady’s return impact the Bucs’ ability to bring back their top free agents, as well as add some new talent? - “Well, it certainly helped,” Bucs general manager Jason Licht said Monday. “When you have a player like Tom, who’s the greatest quarterback of all-time, if not player, players want to play with a guy like that. So, it certainly helped, I can’t lie. We’ve got the ultimate cheat code with Tom. So, we’re going to take advantage of it while we have it. I think players like it here, regardless. But, having a player like that throwing the ball to them, or even being on the other side of the ball knowing that he’s your quarterback, it certainly helps.” - Brady returns after leading the NFL in both passing yards and touchdown passes last season, at 44 years old. He’ll now hope to lead the Bucs back to the Super Bowl, the same destination they found in his first season with the team back in 2020. - Tampa Bay still has a handful of key free agents to retain, and the chances of getting them back are as high as possible with Brady back in the mix. - - List - - NFL free agency: Tracking all the latest Bucs news, rumors - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Bucs Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Bucs Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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Jan 27, 2022