Jimmy Garoppolo Rumors: Bucs Eye 49ers' FA QB to Replace Tom Brady amid Trade Buzz

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might not play in the deep end of the quarterback market this offseason as they try to restore their salary cap.

Per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo (starts at 1:15 mark), the Bucs plan to "retool while still competing," with Jimmy Garoppolo one of the options they like to replace Tom Brady.

The Buccaneers have a lot of work to do with the salary cap before the start of free agency. They are currently $55.7 million over the cap for next season. The New Orleans Saints at $57.4 million over are the only team in worse cap shape than Tampa.

Despite being retired, Brady is going to count $35.1 million against the cap for the Bucs in 2023. He signed a new deal with the team in March 2021 that included four void years from 2023-26 to spread out his cap hits.

Derek Carr and Aaron Rodgers are two quarterbacks who have been frequently mentioned in trade rumors since the end of the regular season. There has been no indication at this point that the Bucs are pursuing either one in a deal.

Given how much both players are set to make in 2023, and the Bucs' desire to restore their cap, it would seem difficult to add either one while doing so. Carr is owed $32.9 million in base salary and has a $34.9 million cap hit next season on his current deal.

There is a possibility Carr could be released because his salary with the Las Vegas Raiders becomes fully guaranteed on Feb. 15. He has made it clear he's not going to help the Raiders try to find a trade partner by pushing back the date his salary is guaranteed.

Carr also has a full no-trade clause that gives him the ability to control where he might end up if the Raiders find a partner.

Rodgers, who has not yet committed to playing in 2023, has a fully-guaranteed $58.3 million option bonus in his contract that must be picked up by a team any time between March 17 and Week 1 of the regular season.

Garoppolo is set to be a true free agent after restructuring his deal with the San Francisco 49ers last offseason that includes a clause to prevent them from using the franchise tag to keep him.

While Garoppolo isn't as good as either Rodgers or Carr, he's been a successful starter during his six seasons with the 49ers. The 31-year-old threw for 2,437 yards, 16 touchdowns and completed 67.2 percent of his attempts in 11 games this season.

The Bucs made the playoffs in each of Brady's three seasons as their starting quarterback. They won Super Bowl 55 after the 2020 season and have won back-to-back NFC South titles in 2021 and 2022.