Tom Brady Already Has a Forgotten Star Wide Receiver Dreaming of Playing With Him
Tom Brady didn’t take long to significantly impact the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as he guided them to a Super Bowl win in his first campaign. The Buccaneers’ tremendous success with Brady could lead to the franchise making some big moves ahead in the offseason. One of which could see Tampa Bay acquire a forgotten star wide receiver.
Tom Brady transforms Buccaneers into Super Bowl champions
Tom Brady‘s arrival to the Buccaneers swiftly changed the entire landscape of the franchise.
Tampa Bay transformed from being a team that continued to flounder outside the playoff picture to a Super Bowl contender. Brady’s stellar play under center coupled with their stout defense helped guide them to their second championship in franchise history.
With the magical first season in Tampa Bay under his belt, the seven-time Super Bowl champion could have another star talent join the fray this offseason.
Tom Brady already has a forgotten star wide receiver dying to play with him
Tom Brady guiding the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl win in his first year with the franchise certainly appeals to other players around the league.
The Buccaneers are headed toward an offseason with some significant roster decisions ahead in free agency. With that in mind, longtime NFL insider Jeff Darlington recently pitched ESPN’s Get Up the possibility that Tampa Bay could pursue Odell Beckham Jr.
“I am going to say Odell Beckham Jr. because of the relationship with Tom Brady. [I] fully understanding that it would take a lot to make this happen,” Darlington said. “Keep in mind Tom Brady didn’t pitch to Jason Licht the idea of Odell coming down to Miami, despite the fact that those two guys would like to play together at some point.”
Beckham Jr. expressed in October 2019 that playing with Brady is a “dream” of his that he hopes to fulfill. There is strong mutual respect between the two that has continued to keep the discussion in the background.
The 28-year-old has fallen a bit out of the limelight the last couple of years due to injury. When healthy, Beckham Jr. is one of the game’s most explosive wide receivers. He can be the bonafide No. 1 option in nearly any passing game.
Throughout his tenure with the Cleveland Browns, Beckham Jr. has dealt with lingering trade rumors. The chatter has quieted down over the last several months, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see them heat up again this offseason if Brady wants him in Tampa Bay.
Could the Buccaneers make it happen?
The question in this scenario becomes whether or not the Buccaneers want to pursue Odell Beckham Jr.
The decision to go after Beckham Jr. would all but eliminate bringing back Pro Bowl wideout Chris Godwin on a new deal. If Antonio Brown is hoping to get a payday with Tampa Bay, that would also significantly hinder his chances of returning to the franchise.
Beckham jr. is in the third year of his five-year, $90 million deal that runs through the 2023 season. His arrival would likely require him to take a pay cut in 2021 to help the team bring back as many players as possible.
Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans has already informed the Buccaneers that he would take a pay decrease to help the team’s free agency efforts. Beyond all that, Tom Brady would need to make a significant internal push to get Beckham Jr. in Tampa Bay.
If what happened with Brown last season was any evidence of Brady’s influence on the Buccaneers’ decision-making, Beckham Jr. could easily be in the team’s plans this offseason.
Contract numbers courtesy of Spotrac.
