Bucs to Explore 'Every Avenue' for QB to Replace Tom Brady, GM Jason Licht Says

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren't going to be limited in their search to replace Tom Brady. 

Bucs general manager Jason Licht told reporters Monday that the team is prepared "to go down every avenue" in its search for a new starting quarterback. 

"It's a little bit different landscape than it was a couple years ago with the quarterbacks that were available in free agency," he added.

Brady officially announced his retirement Tuesday after 22 seasons in the NFL.

It's rare that a quarterback of Brady's talent, even at the age of 42, hits true free agency. He was able to do that after the 2019 season by having the New England Patriots put a clause in his contract that prevented them from using the franchise tag to retain him. 

After exploring the free-agent market, Brady signed a two-year, fully guaranteed $50 million contract with the Bucs on March 20, 2020. He helped transform the franchise by leading it to a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV. 

The Buccaneers followed that up by going 13-4 this season to win the NFC South for the first time since 2007, but their playoff run ended with a 30-27 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Round. 

Trying to find a new starting quarterback this offseason figures to be more difficult for the Bucs than it was two years ago. The best impending free agents are Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota and Teddy Bridgewater. 

It's no secret that the 2022 draft class looks to be light on viable starters at the position. Tampa Bay won't make its first pick until No. 27 overall, so if one of the top signal-callers is available at that spot, the team could take a chance on one of them. 

The easiest way for the Bucs to potentially add a high-ceiling quarterback could be via trade, but it's still too early to know who could be available. If someone like Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers decides he wants a fresh start, Tampa Bay has a great infrastructure in place to win now. 

Regardless of who is under center in 2022, replacing Brady will be a difficult task. He led the NFL in completions (485), attempts (719), passing yards (5,316) and passing touchdowns (43) this season.