O.J. Howard Says Bucs Offense 'One of the Best' in NFL with Brady, Gronkowski

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard has high hopes for his team's offense following the offseason additions of Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski.

Howard said Tuesday on Good Morning Football that the Bucs are "one of the best in the league, if not the best" heading into the 2020 season.

"One thing about Tom, I watched him for years in New England, he's always in the game," Howard said (via NFL.com's Kevin Patra). "I think that's something he can bring to our team. No matter what the score is or how it starts in the first half, I think you always have a chance to win when it comes down to the final minutes of the game. He'll keep it close."

It's easy to see why Howard feels that way.

Brady will turn 43 on Aug. 3, so expecting him to be as prolific as Jameis Winston was last season might be unrealistic. Winston threw for a league-high 5,109 yards in 2019. Brady has surpassed that number only once in his legendary career, and it was in 2011.

According to NFL.com's Next Gen Stats, Winston was also second in average completed air yards (8.2). Brady was in 24th at 5.6 yards.

What Brady may cede yardage to Winston, he should make up for with far fewer turnovers. The latter threw 30 interceptions, nine more than the next closest player (Baker Mayfield).

The Buccaneers were third in total offense (397.9 yards) but 22nd in offensive efficiency on Football Outsiders. Head coach Bruce Arians would probably be happy to gain fewer yards in 2020 if it meant running a more efficient offense.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler spoke with an NFL quarterback who posited the Bucs' supporting cast should help elevate Brady as well.

"If he was still in New England, not sure I would put him on [the list]," the player said. "I put him on there because he's in Tampa, he's got weapons. He processes at such a high rate that when you have pieces around you, it still works."

Chris Godwin and Mike Evans both eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards en route to the Pro Bowl last season, while Howard caught 34 passes for 459 yards and one touchdown in 14 games. Now, Tampa Bay will have the services of two players who are among the best ever at their respective positions.

Brady's age and Gronkowski's injury concerns—along with his yearlong layoff—raise questions about their value. Still, Howard isn't the only one placing the Bucs offense among the NFL's elite.