INDIANAPOLIS — Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians continues to throw his support behind longtime NFL journeyman QB Blaine Gabbert in the wake of Tom Brady’s retirement. Arians, speaking at the NFL Combine, went as far as to say that Gabbert was “crucial” in Brady’s development during his two years in Tampa Bay’s offense.
Bruce Arians says Blaine Gabbert’s ‘got the answers to the test’
Arians said he would feel comfortable with Gabbert as his starting quarterback, despite his reputation as a former first-round draft bust. Arians admitted he isn’t concerned about Gabbert’s previous record from before they linked up in Arizona in 2019. The Buccaneers HC said Gabbert won two huge games that year for Arizona when injuries ravaged the team.
Arians said he has been a fan of Gabbert’s since his rookie season in 2011. At the time, Arians was with the Pittsburgh Steelers and watched from the sideline as Gabbert threw a touchdown pass, got hit in the mouth by legendary pass rusher James Harrison, and immediately popped back up. It was that play that let Arians know that Gabbert could perform in the NFL.
Gabbert will become a free agent later this month, so the Buccaneers would need to re-sign him before thrusting him into the starting lineup.
Last year’s second-round pick, QB Kyle Trask, is also in consideration for the QB1 spot. Arians said Gabbert and Trask have earned the respect of the locker room because of their work on the sideline and on the scout teams. Arians said he would be comfortable if Trask was Brady’s successor. Trask is the only quarterback under contract with the Bucs entering free agency.
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