Report: Buccaneers Eyeing 2-Time Super Bowl Winning Quarterback as Replacement for Tom Brady

2-time Super Bowl winning quarterback appears to be on the radar for the Buccaneers as a possible replacement for Tom Brady.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers find themselves in a precarious situation when it comes to who they will go with to replace Tom Brady as the team's starting quarterback now that Brady has sailed away into retirement.

According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Bucs plan to "retool while still competing," with a number of options available to fill the void left by Brady, including soon to be free agent Jimmy Garoppolo.

The Super Bowl LVII @NFLGameDay Notebook: Aaron Rodgers heads into the darkness Monday with a decision looming; The #Bucs will retool and get their books in order; Could the #Ravens trade Lamar Jackson?; Baltimore matching an offer sheet could actually be the result. pic.twitter.com/BdF6AGRank

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 12, 2023

The biggest obstacle that the Buccaneers face is their current salary cap situation heading into the 2023 season. They currently are $55.7 million over the cap for next season - in large part due to Brady's retirement costing the Bucs $35.1 million against the cap. The only other team with a worse salary cap situation than Tampa Bay are NFC South rivals, the New Orleans Saints ($57.4 million).

READ MORE: Buccaneers listed with top odds to land Four-Time Pro Bowl Quarterback

Since their salary cap situation is so dire, the Buccaneers won't be able to get into the upper echelon of quarterbacks who will be available via trade or free agency like Aaron Rodgers or Derek Carr. Rodgers and Carr have both been connected to the Buccaneers, but as of now there doesn't seem to be any glimmer of hope for either to make their way to Tampa Bay. However, there is still a quarterback that will be on the market soon that has continuously popped up as an option for the Bucs: Jimmy Garoppolo.

Garoppolo is set to become a free agent this offseason after restructuring his deal with the San Francisco 49ers last offseason that prevents them from placing the franchise tag on him. The 49ers are completely okay with this as they will head into next season with a quarterback battle of their own between Trey Lance and Brock Purdy.

Jimmy G may not be the level of quarterback that Carr and Rodgers are, but he is a great game manager and has seen success with each team he has played on.

Garoppolo would be a great transition after Brady if the Bucs indeed want to remain relevant in the NFC South and contend for a playoff spot. With the others like Carr and Rodgers seemingly off the table it would be smart for the organization to try and lure the veteran Garoppolo to Tampa Bay.

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One way or another we will soon know who the Bucs plan to head into next season with. They could either snag a veteran in free agency, draft a rookie that they see promise in, or decide to ride with their former 2nd-round pick in Kyle Trask. It is interesting times in Tampa Bay, and hopefully the Glazers and GM Jason Licht will be able to make a concise decision on the future of the team.

Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2023 offseason.

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