While impending free agent quarterback Jameis Winston may be stealing headlines, Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians is more focused on retaining his team’s top defenders.
“Oh, yeah. To me, it’s the whole defense,” Arians told ESPN’s Jenna Laine. “You can’t get ’em all, but … those young guys grew. We can’t let that go. I don’t care who’s my quarterback. We’ve gotta have a defense.”
Outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett is the most notable defender hitting free agency, and he should be in line for a lucrative payday after compiling an NFL-high 19.5 sacks last season. Many of Barrett’s defensive teammates are also set to hit the open market, including players Jason Pierre-Paul, Carl Nassib, Ndamukong Suh, Beau Allen and Rakeem Nunez-Roches.
On the offensive side of the ball, it doesn’t sound like Arians is all that concerned about who’s under center. The head coach did admit that it’s tough to have any clarity on the quarterbacks position considering the uncertainty of free agency.
“You don’t know who’s available,” Arians said. “You just sit there and wait to see, is there someone available. If not, is this a better option. That’s the problem. You get about two days to decide in the legal tampering period.”
One of the team’s options will naturally be Winston, who spent the first five seasons of his career in Tampa Bay. Winston set career-highs in passing yards (5,109) and touchdowns (33) in 2019, but he also set a career-high (and led the NFL) with 30 interceptions.
Let crab legs walk. You can get rivers or maybe….Brady. After all look at that WR corps he would have in Tampa. Might be something to interest him.
Rivers is basically old white Jameis Winston, all his stats are destroyed by his turnovers, I think Arians can make any proper nfl quarterback work on that offense and highly doubt he wants a turnover machine like rivers, they should go get Derek Carr and plug him in with Evans and Godwin
Dalton is better than Carr
You’re kidding right?
Dalton has had the better career, but he’s had a few more years….I wouldn’t waste time on either though….they should sign Teddy
“I don’t care who’s my quarterback”.
I’d be convinced Bruce was serious about that if he brought Mike Glennon back to Tampa Bay.
need a QB on a rookie deal or at a discount if you want to win a super bowl.