Buccaneers named betting favorites to sign former No. 2 overall pick

At least one outlet believes former Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz could be staying in the NFC. 

Per Matt Severance, SportsLine oddsmakers have listed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the favorites to sign Wentz at +300. The Las Vegas Raiders are second at +400, followed by the Carolina Panthers at +500.

To compare, OddsChecker has the Kansas City Chiefs as the favorites to land Wentz at +300 and the Buccaneers listed second at +400.

Tom Brady has seemingly retired "for good," and that decision has left unproven 2021 second-round draft pick Kyle Trask atop Tampa Bay's depth chart at the sport's most important position. Trask has thus far attempted nine regular-season passes in the NFL. 

"When the Bucs were interviewing offensive coordinator candidates, they were told Trask will compete for the team's Week 1 starting job," Severance wrote. "The team's new (offensive coordinator) Dave Canales said he sees Trask as an efficient 'point guard' who can distribute the ball to Tampa Bay's skill position players. It's expected the Bucs will bring in a veteran to compete with Trask. With major salary-cap issues, the Bucs probably can't afford someone like Jimmy Garoppolo or Derek Carr." 

Specifically, ESPN's Jenna Laine noted on Feb. 21 that Tampa Bay was projected to be "$55 million over the salary cap" at that time. 

Wentz missed time with the Commanders this past fall after he required surgery to repair a fractured right ring finger and then lost his starting job to Taylor Heinicke. 

Per ESPN stats, Wentz finished the season 30th among qualified players with an 80.2 passer rating and a 32.9 adjusted QBR. In eight games, he threw 11 touchdown passes and nine interceptions. 

According to the Joe Bucs Fan website, head coach Todd Bowles made it clear at the NFL combine this week the Buccaneers "will bring in competition" for Trask. Along with Wentz, Tampa Bay was recently linked with to-be free agent Baker Mayfield. 

Considering the options, it's understandable Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said at the combine he's leaving a "flashlight" on at the facility for Brady just in case the seven-time Super Bowl champion re-considers a retirement for the second consecutive March. 

Then again, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio may have been spot on when he wrote on Feb. 17 that "the coming season likely will be a soft tank" for Tampa Bay.