In a normal NFL offseason, the draft is followed at each team's headquarters by a series of mini-camps and OTA practices, usually concluding around mid-June. Players and coaches then get one last lengthy break before reconvening for training camp, generally near the end of July.
The 2020 NFL Draft was completed more than two weeks ago but, of course, this is not a normal offseason. Due to social distancing requirements to combat the coronavirus pandemic, no team has been able to hold a single practice or even convene with its players this spring. Any workouts that have been conducted have been virtual, with strength and conditioning coaches sending instructions to players remotely.
What did not grind to a halt, however, was the one thing that defines every NFL team's offseason: Roster reconstruction. That certainly has been the case for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have accomplished three major things of note: Kept free agency from dismantling their talented defensive front, made the most dramatic move possible at the sport's most important position, and directly addressed their biggest remaining needs in the draft.
Over the next six weeks we'll look at all of those developments and others more closely through our post-draft, position-by-position review of the Buccaneers' roster. An NFL roster is never fully finalized; last year Tampa Bay made personnel moves in all 12 months of the season, and had at least five roster changes in every month except February and June. That said, the Bucs have 87 players on the roster in mid-May, and the group they take to training camp will be very close to what they have right now. That's the group that Head Coach Bruce Arians and his staff will have to whittle down to 53 for the regular season.
Some positions needed more attention than others after the 2019 season, which ended in a 7-9 record in Arians' first season at the helm. But every spot on the depth chart has seen some turnover, and now that the draft and most of free agency is in the past it's time to review the roster and see where the Bucs stand at every spot.
Roster Review Schedule:
· Wednesday, May 20: Running Backs
· Monday, May 25: Wide Receivers
· Wednesday, May 27: Tight Ends
· Monday, June 1: Offensive Tackles
· Wednesday, June 3: Guards & Centers
· Monday, June 8: Defensive Linemen
· Wednesday, June 10: Outside Linebackers
· Monday, June 15: Inside Linebackers
· Wednesday, June 17: Cornerbacks
· Monday, June 22: Safeties
· Wednesday, June 24: Specialists
We begin with the position that has seen the single most significant modification on the whole team. The Buccaneers' signing of Tom Brady – a move that would have seemed unthinkable just a year ago – signals an all-in mentality for an organization that clearly believes it has the talent to compete for a title. It is the single most eye-opening free agency gambit in franchise history and one of the most newsworthy moves the league has ever seen.
The Buccaneers led the NFL in passing yards last season and their quarterback, Jameis Winston, racked up a franchise-record 33 touchdown passes. However, he also was picked off a league-high 30 times. The Buccaneers are banking on Brady leading a far less mistake-prone attack while still being able to put up big numbers with a talented cast of pass-catchers around him.
Other than that – yes, other than signing the only six-time Super Bowl champion in NFL history – the Bucs didn't have a lot of work to do at the quarterback position. They did bring back one unrestricted free agent and added a developmental passer after the draft.
Returning Players:
· Blaine Gabbert…Re-signed after he became an unrestricted free agent; Spent most of 2019 season on injured reserve due to shoulder injury
· Ryan Griffin…Headed into second year of two-year deal he signed in 2019; Saw first NFL regular-season action last season, completing two of four passes for 18 yards in late-season game
Departed Players:
· Jameis Winston…Signed with New Orleans as an unrestricted free agent; Started all 16 games and threw for 5,109 yards, 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions
· Chad Kanoff…Was not re-signed after spending last 11 weeks on practice squad
Added Veterans:
· Tom Brady…Signed as an unrestricted free agent from New England; in 20th season with Patriots, threw for 4,057 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions
Added Rookies:
· Reid Sinnett…Signed as an undrafted free agent; at University of San Diego, threw for 3,528, 32 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as a senior
Brady, who turns 43 in August, signed a two-year deal with the Buccaneers and is unquestionably expected to be the starter in 2020 and 2021. Given his intense devotion to health and fitness and his continued high level of play, it's also possible that his time in Tampa will extend beyond the next two years.
As much as the Bucs were attracted to Brady's incredible statistical achievements – in addition to those six rings he's also second all-time in league history in yards and touchdown passes – they also believe he will help mold a young but talented team into a winner.
"Going after Tom in free agency was our number-one priority this offseason because we knew he would be a perfect fit for what we are trying to do here," said General Manager Jason Licht when announcing the official news of Brady's signing. "He is a Buccaneer today not for what he has done in the past, but for what we know he can accomplish here in the near future as well. We know that Tom is going to have a transformative effect in our locker room and he is going to demand the best out of himself, his teammates and anybody that is around him. This was an all-out effort from every level of the organization – from scouts, to coaches, to front office and especially ownership. Today we begin a new era for the Buccaneers that will define our franchise for many years to come."
The Bucs then re-signed Gabbert, who suffered a shoulder injury during the 2019 preseason and eventually went to injured reserve without seeing any regular-season action. However, Gabbert previously played for Arians in Arizona and is fully familiar with the Bucs' offseason playbook. He was signed a year ago to compete with Griffin, and at the time Arians noted that Gabbert's regular-season experience gave him an edge in the battle to be the primary backup to Winston. It appears as if that same battle will take place again this summer.
On several occasions before the 2020 draft, both Arians and Licht said that they would like to add a developmental young quarterback to the roster, but that it would have to be the right fit of prospect and spot in the draft. That fit never materialized but the Bucs still got their young project in San Diego's Reid Sinnett. Sinnett had to wait behind another talented Toreros quarterback before he got his shot to start last year as a senior, but he made the most of it with a strong performance that led his team to the FCS playoffs.
2019 Performance:
The big numbers were mentioned above: Winston became the Buccaneers' first 5,000-yard passer, joining a short list of NFL quarterbacks with that feat, but also was the first player in league history to throw at least 30 touchdowns and at least 30 interceptions in the same season.
Arians was eager to work with Winston when he took the Bucs head job in 2019, and he did get some impressive numbers out of the fifth-year passer and Tampa Bay's passing attack. Winston in particular fared significantly better on deep throws, an Arians staple, than he had in the past. If Brady had not been surprisingly available, the Buccaneers might have tried the Arians-Winston combination for at least another year.
"We have a lot of respect for Jameis. Jameis was still part of our plan if things went a different route," said Licht. "I've got a lot of respect for him. I thought he did a lot of great things and I think anybody in our office, or our building, would say the same thing. He did some spectacular things for us. I think he's got a bright future ahead of him. It just really comes down to, we had a chance to get Tom Brady."
The Buccaneers also led the NFL in plays of 20-plus yards, most of them through the air, and two-minute offense scoring and were second in passing first downs.
Meanwhile, Brady led the Patriots to a 12-4 record, their 11th straight playoff appearance and their 18th postseason berth in the 19 seasons in which he started more than one game. That, of course, is where the appeal starts with Brady, who has played in nine Super Bowls and been that game's MVP on four occasions. But Brady also has 541 career regular-season touchdown passes and nearly 75,000 yards, both totals just behind Drew Brees for the all-time top spot. Brady is the NFL's all-time leader in the playoffs in any significant passing category.
Last year, Brady topped 4,000 passing yards for the third year in a row and had an excellent 24-8 TD-INT ratio. His 1.3% interception rate was seventh-best among qualifying passers last year and his career mark of 1.8% is second only to Aaron Rodgers' 1.4% among players with at least 3,000 pass attempts.
View pictures from TE Rob Gronkowski's NFL career thus far.
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski stretches as he dives into the end zone, beating St. Louis Rams cornerback Kevin Dockery, right, for a touchdown in the second quarter during an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski celebrates after scoring against the San Diego Chargers in the first half during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a 1-yard touchdown pass during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on October 24, 2010. The Patriots defeated the Chargers 23-20. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) hauls in a Tom Brady pass behind Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback William Gay (22) for a touchdown in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, left, gets past Buffalo Bills cornerback Leodis McKelvin for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010. New England won 34-3. (AP Photo/Don Heupel)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates his touchdown reception in front of wide receiver Brandon Tate (19) in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski smiles as he talks about his brother, tight end Dan Gronkowski, being signed by the Patriots today during a media availability in Foxborough, Mass., Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011. The Patriots open their season against the Miami Dolphins in Miami on Monday night, Sept. 12. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) hits the turf as he catches a first quarter touchdown pass that gives the Patriots a 14-0 lead during the NFL week 3 football game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, September 25, 2011 in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills won the game 34-31. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) of the New England Patriots warms up before play against the Miami Dolphins during a Monday Night Football Game September 12, 2011 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Patriots won 38 - 24. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) high steps while trying to break away from a tackle attempt by two defenders after catching a first down pass in the third quarter during the NFL week 3 football game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, September 25, 2011 in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills won the game 34-31. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of New York Jets free safety Eric Smith (33) and Marquice Cole (34) during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of New York Jets' Jim Leonhard (36) during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a 52 yard touchdown pass and runs over Kansas City Chiefs free safety Kendrick Lewis (23) for a second quarter score and a 7-3 lead during the NFL week 11 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, November 21, 2011 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Patriots won the game 34-3. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski warms up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) spikes the ball as officials signal his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011. Gronkowski had three touchdowns in the Patriots' 31-24 win. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a touchdown pass over Washington Redskins strong safety DeJon Gomes (24) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) runs past Washington Redskins strong safety DeJon Gomes (24) and Washington Redskins free safety Reed Doughty (37) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Rich Lipski)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski celebrates a 34-27 victory over the Washington Redskins after the NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) heads downfield during an NFL game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Denver. The Patriots won the game, 41-23. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) spikes the ball to celebrate his touchdown during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012. The Patriots won 49-21 to clinch the number one seed in the AFC. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski celebrates his 10-yard touchdown pass against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski #87 10 yard pass reception for a touchdown in 1st qtr. action during an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots Sunday January 14, 2012 at the Gillette Stadium Foxborough Ma. The New England Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos 45 - 10 in AFC division playoff action. (Ap Photo/ Bill Nichols)
Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (59) tries to stop New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during the second half of the AFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) looks at the championship trophy after the AFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Ravens 23-20 to win the AFC Championship. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during Super Bowl XLVI Media Day at Lucas Oil Stadium, in Indianapolis, Indiana on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) runs for a gain after making a catch during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Sunday October 27, 2013 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. New England won 27-17. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
FILE - In this Oct. 14, 2012, file photo, New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski (87) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks' Kam Chancellor in the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle. A Super Bowl matchup well worth watching: Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski vs. Seattle's Kam Chancellor, one of the few safeties in the league capable of stopping him. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) looks on during an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, September 21, 2014 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. New England won 16-9. (AP Photos/Aaron M. Sprecher)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski runs the ball after catching a pass against the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski warms up before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy during the NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. The New England Patriots won 28-24. (AP Photo/Ric Tapia)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski celebrates after the Patriots beat the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) runs away from New Orleans Saints safety Vonn Bell (48) during an Week 2 NFL game, September 17, 2017 in New Orleans. The Patriots defeated the Saints 36-20. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates his touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, right, catches a touchdown pass in front of Houston Texans safety Corey Moore during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers, in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski runs after a catch against the Houston Texans during an NFL football game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski (87) runs away from New York Jets' Marcus Maye (26) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) is tackled by Buffalo Bills strong safety Micah Hyde (23) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots won 23-3. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
FILE - In this Dec. 17, 2017, file photo, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers, in an NFL football game, in Pittsburgh. The New England tight end has dominated the Steelers throughout his career, no matter how Pittsburgh opts to defend him. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers, in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski speaks to the media following an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) dances as he celebrates a touchdown reception during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 52 football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, left, catches a pass in front of Kansas City Chiefs safety Josh Shaw (30) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a pass for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski runs after catching a pass as Minnesota Vikings defensive back Anthony Harris, rear, tries to tackle him during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski warms up before an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Jan. 13, 2019 in Foxborough, MA. New England won 41-28 (Aaron Doster via AP)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) runs his route during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Sunday October 27, 2013 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. New England won 27-17. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) prior to an NFL football AFC Divisional playoff game on Sunday, January 13, 2019 in Foxborough. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) warms up before the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski speaks with members of the media during a news conference Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, ahead of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against Los Angeles Rams in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski (87) runs from Los Angeles Rams' Samson Ebukam (50) after catching a pass during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates their victory over the Los Angeles Rams during NFL Super Bowl 53, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
New England Patriots Rob Gronkoswki #87 celebrates after defeating the Los Angeles Rams during NFL Super Bowl 53, Sunday, February 3, 2019 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski waves after the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. The New England Patriots won 13-3. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski (87) runs the ball against Los Angeles Rams' during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (Tom DiPace via AP)
New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates after defeating the Los Angeles Rams' during the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (Tom DiPace via AP)
New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski, center, celebrates alongside Camille Kostek, third from left, as the Patriots parade through downtown Boston, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, to celebrate their win over the Los Angeles Rams in Sunday's NFL Super Bowl 53 football game in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) runs during NFL Super Bowl 53 against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Atlanta. (Greg Trott via AP)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) walks to the podium after NFL Super Bowl 53 against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Atlanta. (Greg Trott via AP)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates after NFL Super Bowl 53 against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Atlanta. (Greg Trott via AP)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) runs the ball as Los Angeles Rams cornerback Marcus Peters (22) defends during the NFL Super Bowl LIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Atlanta. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates after NFL Super Bowl 53 against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Atlanta. The Patriots defeated the Rams, 13-3. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates as he leaves the field after NFL Super Bowl 53 against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Atlanta. The Patriots defeated the Rams, 13-3. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates following the win against the Kansas City Chiefs during an AFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019 in Kansas City, MO. The Patriots defeated the Chiefs 37-31 in overtime. (Joe Robbins via AP)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates after winning the NFL Super Bowl LI football game against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium on Sunday, February 5, 2017 in Houston, TX. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates after winning the NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015 in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won the game 28-24. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates on the field following the NFL AFC Championship playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, January 20, 2015 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Colts 45-7 to advance to Super Bowl XLIX. (AP Photo/Perry Knotts)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) holds a champions t-shirt as confetti flies and the Patriots celebrate winning the NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015 in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won the game 28-24. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) makes a touchdown catch against Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker K.J. Wright (50) during the first half of NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) scores a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on Sunday December 1, 2013 in Houston, Texas. New England won 34-31. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) runs a route during the NFL AFC Championship playoff football game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots , Sunday, January 24, 2016, in Denver, CO. The Broncos won 20-18 to advance to Super Bowl. (Tom Hauck via AP)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) makes a reception during warm ups prior to an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium, Thursday, September 7, 2017 in Foxborough, Mass. The Chiefs defeated the Patriots 42-27. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) of the New England Patriots scores on a five-yard touchdown pass against the New York Giants at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won 20 - 17. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) during an NFL regular season game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, Sept. 29, 2014 in Kansas City, MO. The Chiefs won the game, 41-14. (AP Photo/Ric Tapia)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, October 5, 2014 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. New England won 43-17. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski celebrates his touchdown catch against the Oakland Raiders in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski responds to questions after the NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won the game 28-24.(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) lifts the Vince Lombardi trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks at Super Bowl XLIX on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Gene Lower)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) on the bench during an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints in Foxborough, Mass. Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski holds the championship trophy after the NFL football AFC Championship game Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots defeated the Colts 45-7 to advance to the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Fans toss snow in the stands as New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Tom Brady, right, during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins in an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017 in Denver. New England won 41-16. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
New England Patriots Rob Gronkowski (87) during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins on September 07, 2014 in Miami,FL at SunLife Stadium.
(AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski holds up Vince Lombardi Trophy while celebrating with quarterback Tom Brady after the Patriots defeated the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 in NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates his touchdown catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates after winning during Superbowl XLIX game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, AZ. Th ePatriots defeated the Seahawks 28-24. (Tom Hauck/ AP Images)
Tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) watches during a pre-season game against the New York Giants September 2, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won 20 - 17. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) catches a 22-yard touchdown pass during the NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015 in University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots defeated the Seahawks 28-24. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
New England Patriots' Rob Gronkowski scores a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski celebrates his first touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
Three Key Questions:
· How well will Brady's skill set and style of play mesh with Arians' offense?
After the Bucs signed Brady, Arians insisted that the veteran passer can do "everything we want to do in our offense." Arians also stressed that he has always taken a collaborative approach with his quarterbacks in order to fit the passer's skills and preferences with his scheme. Still, there are critics who wonder if Brady still has the downfield passing ability to allow Arians to stick with his "no risk-it, no biscuit" philosophy. Last year, Brady posted a 107.6 passer rating on deep passes according to NFL Next Gen Stats, which was seventh-best in the NFL.
· Who will be Brady's primary backup?
As noted above, Gabbert knows the system, having started five games for Arians' Cardinals in 2017, winning two of them. He never really got a chance to win the job last year due to his shoulder injury but did remain in the building, attending practices, throughout the season. His ingrained knowledge might be seen as an even bigger advantage this year with a truncated offseason. Griffin, on the other hand, has consistently impressed two different coaching staffs on the practice field and did finally get into a regular-season game for a brief cameo last year. He, too, knows the system well. If Sinnett makes the team it would likely be as a third quarterback.
· How quickly can Brady become comfortable in the Buccaneers' offense?
The restrictive realities of the 2020 offseason present challenges for everyone, including NFL players. Those challenges would seemingly be magnified by switching to a new team and having to run an offense with an as-yet-undetermined amount of preparation time. That's what Brady is facing, and he also has to make a connection with the new cast of offensive weapons around him.
"There is a lot of ground to make up because I haven't worked with these players," said Brady in March. "I'm going to have to learn what they do, and their body language and how they like things. That's part of the challenge. It's unfortunate what we're going through in our world. It presents different challenges for all of us, so again, as soon as we have the opportunity to all be together in one place, we can really start working toward that. That's what I'm going to do."
