Tom Brady, perhaps the greatest quarterback to ever play the game of football, is retiring from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after a career where he won seven Super Bowl rings. Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington first broke the news of Brady’s reported retirement and was later confirmed by Brady on February 1.
Tom Brady Retires: What’s next for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Despite the breaking news from Schefter on January 29, Brady’s agent Don Yee had released a statement to Pro Football Network that Brady himself will be the only one to express his future plans.
“I understand the advance speculation about Tom’s future. Without getting into the accuracy or inaccuracy of what’s being reported, Tom will be the only person to express his plans with complete accuracy. He knows the realities of the football business and planning calendar as well as anybody, so that should be soon.”
Now that Brady has retired, what’s next? His era coming to a close isn’t the only major change anticipated with the Buccaneers, including the possibility of tight end Rob Gronkowski going back into retirement, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
What’s more, Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians has informed his entire coaching staff they have permission to seek jobs around the league regardless of whether it’s a promotion, according to sources.
“Everything is up in the air in Tampa Bay,” one source said. “What kind of team are they going to have without Tom Brady and so many free agents? It’s looking like a rebuild, and guys are making contingency plans.”
Will Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians retire?
It remains unclear if Arians, 69, will stay on or opt to retire rather than undertake a rebuilding construction project at his age, per sources.
Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich recently met with the Jacksonville Jaguars for a second interview, per a source. But talks hit an impasse over the continued presence of Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke and Leftwich wanting Arizona Cardinals executive Adrian Wilson to be his replacement. Leftwich is also interviewing with the New Orleans Saints.
Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles interviewed with the Las Vegas Raiders, but that job is expected to go to New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers has drawn interest from the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants, per sources.
Brady’s retirement leaves a lot of question marks in terms of the future of some players
On the player movement side, wide receiver Chris Godwin, center Ryan Jensen, Gronkowski, and cornerback Carlton Davis are all unrestricted free agents.
“It’s going to look a lot different in Tampa Bay on the field and on the sideline,” a source said. “They had a great run, and now they’re going to have to dig into this and make new plans. Brady retiring is huge, but the coaching staff thing is just as big.”