Getty The Buccaneers could be looking at Tom Brady's potential successor in Jimmy Garoppolo.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be looking at their next franchise quarterback.
As part of a bold prediction list compiled by Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay, one of his predictions sees the Buccaneers acquire San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in exchange for a third-round draft pick.
Kay argued that the Buccaneers’ need for a franchise quarterback in the aftermath of the Tom Brady era could lead to this potential deal in the near future.
“Having a replacement like Garoppolo — whom the New England Patriots drafted as a potential heir to Brady in 2014 — on the roster would make for a much smoother transition than the one that Bucs nearly had to undertake this offseason,” Kay wrote in the July 12 story. “With the Baker Mayfield trade helping set the market, the Buccaneers — who have $12.5 million in cap space but could get some relief if San Francisco takes on some of Garoppolo’s $24.2 million base salary — would likely only need to give up a Day 2 draft pick for him.”
How the Bucs Could Acquire Garoppolo
There is little doubt that the Buccaneers could use the 30-year-old Garoppolo — a proven winner with a 33-14 career record — as soon as the 2023 season, after Brady’s potential retirement. The elephant in the room is Garoppolo’s current contract, which calls for him to earn over $24 million this season.
With the Buccaneers lacking the salary cap space to make a trade for Garoppolo, San Francisco would have to absorb a large portion of their former starter’s cap hit. The Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers pulled off a similar deal for disgruntled quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mayfield was scheduled to earn $18.9 million in 2022, but the Browns and Panthers worked out a deal that will see the former pay him $10.5 million, the Panthers pay him $5 million and Mayfield forfeit the remainder of his salary.
Considering the Buccaneers would represent a situation in which they’re ready to contend immediately, Garoppolo could concede several million for the opportunity to win a Super Bowl. It’s worth mentioning that Garoppolo is coming from a situation where he’s accustomed to contending, having led the Niners to the 2020 Super Bowl and an NFC championship game at the conclusion of the 2021 season.
It all comes down to money and whether the Bucs can acquire Jimmy G at a bargain rate. If Tampa Bay is unable to acquire the veteran quarterback at such a rate, the Bucs will not make a play for him.
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Buccaneers Have Yet to Show Interest in Jimmy G Trade
While the idea of the Buccaneers starting Garoppolo after of Brady retires might seem swell, Tampa Bay hasn’t shown any interest — so far.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Garoppolo’s agent, Don Yee, said he had yet to speak to the Bucs regarding a trade for Garoppolo.
Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times was even more blunt in his report, saying there’s “not a chance.”
Um. Not a chance fellas. As one Bucs coach told me, “If (Garoppolo) could throw a deep ball, he would’ve won two Super Bowls already.”
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Reportedly Want to Trade for 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo – Sports Illustrated San Francisco 49er
It seems the Bucs have no immediate urgency to acquire Garoppolo. But if there’s an appealing deal to be made — such as acquiring him at a bargain salary for a third-round draft pick — Tampa Bay could seriously reconsider their stance on possibly acquiring Brady’s former teammate.