Buccaneers "Sneaky Team to Compete for a Top Pick" in 2024 According to CBS Analyst
A recent article by CBS' Sports Senior Writer, Will Brinson, focused on seven teams that could miss the postseason in 2024, despite making the playoffs last year.
Along with the Dolphins, Chargers, Jaguars, Giants, and Vikings, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were one of the teams that Brinson predicts will take a step back this season.
Based on the changes on the roster, most significantly at the quarterback position, it's no surprise to see the Buccaneers' being mentioned as a team that could miss the playoffs. After all, the vast majority of NFL analysts who have offered their opinions on next season seem to be in agreement that the Bucs' recent success on the field is about to come to a screeching halt.
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So I guess it's time to add Brinson's name to the extensive list of analysts who are all the way out on the Buccaneers for 2024.
In regards to his prediction for the Buccaneers, Brinson offered the following rationale.
"Two words: Tom Brady. The GOAT is gone in Tampa and even if you thought his 2022 season wasn't a success and he looked like he needed to walk away (both reasonable arguments), it's a clear downgrade for the Bucs to move to Baker Mayfield. Tampa has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball but profile as a team who could struggle for the short term as they figure out life after Brady."
"There are major questions about the offensive line and how the offense as a whole will look with Todd Bowles coaching; the loss of Bruce Arians was dramatically understated before last season. All three of the other teams in the division have dramatically improved this offseason. Tampa gets a fairly easy schedule (22nd overall) but it's a much harder schedule than the rest of the division. I think the Buccaneers are a sneaky team to "compete" for a top pick in the draft and chase one of Caleb Williams or Drake Maye."
Interestingly enough, Brinson acknowledges the talent Tampa Bay has on both sides of the ball, as well as their favorable schedule. But he cites the lack of Tom Brady, coaching, and improvement from other NFC South teams as the primary factors working against the Buccaneers.
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Considering the factors mentioned in the article, you'd think the Bucs' talent, and "fairly easy" schedule would be more than enough to keep Tampa Bay out of the basement. Because if they're going to have any shot at drafting a player like Caleb Williams or Drake Maye in 2024, as suggested, then they would have to have one of the three worst records in the entire league.
Which I simply don't expect to happen.
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