Buccaneers HC Bruce Arians anticipates 'reload' this offseason

As Scott Smith noted for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' website, the franchise made history last year by becoming the first team in the free agency era to bring back every starter from a Super-Bowl-winning roster for the subsequent season. Despite that accomplishment, the Buccaneers fell short of their goal of repeating as champions and lost to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday afternoon in a game that could dramatically alter the club. 

Quarterback Tom Brady isn't yet publicly committing to playing in 2022, and tight end Rob Gronkowski admitted Monday he could either extend his career elsewhere or enter into a second and final retirement. During his Monday press conference, head coach Bruce Arians hinted his roster will have a different look by the start of summer training camp sessions. 

"It's a reload like it is every year," Arians explained. "Our [priority] in free agency will be our guys – see how many that we can get back and then build a team from there. I always look forward to that part of it, and then the draft. Each year is so different and so new. Last year, to get everybody back was amazing. I doubt we can do it all again this year, but we're sure going to give it our best."

The futures of Brady and Gronkowski are very much up in the air, and noteworthy Tampa Bay players such as wide receiver Chris Godwin, running back Leonard Fournette and star pass-rusher Jason Pierre-Paul are among veterans currently on track to hit free agency. If Brady has taken his last meaningful NFL snap, other unsigned players may choose to take their talents out of Tampa Bay and chase big contracts when the new league year opens in March.