Tom Brady: New Buccaneers WR Russell Gage 'has to have a big year'

With Pro Bowl wide receiver Chris Godwin still recovering from knee surgery required after he suffered a torn ACL and an MCL on Dec. 19, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed to find a solid No. 2 option behind Mike Evans in the event that Godwin won't be ready when the regular season gets underway in September. 

Tampa Bay didn't have to search far, as the club signed former Atlanta Falcons wideout Russell Gage early in free agency. It was later learned that none other than Tom Brady, who un-retired and returned to the Buccaneers shortly before the start of the new league year, recruited Gage to join him in Florida and reportedly said at that time "that they’re building something special and he’s been a fan of his game." 

Brady attended the Buccaneers' mandatory minicamp last week and spoke with reporters about multiple topics, including his future as well as that of fellow all-time great Rob Gronkowski. According to Jenna Laine of ESPN, Brady also discussed his new teammate Gage with media members. 

“He has to have a big year,” Brady explained about Gage. "That is a very important role for an offense that throws the ball as much as we do. ... Russ, when he is out there, there is a lot of work that needs to go into the next six weeks to be ready. We’re challenged right out of the box this year. We’ve got really good teams [on our schedule]." 

As noted by ESPN stats, Gage led the Falcons among receivers last season with 66 catches, 94 targets, 770 receiving yards and four touchdown grabs. The 26-year-old may be expected to bolster those numbers catching passes thrown by the G.O.A.T. this fall, especially if Godwin is sidelined through the opening of the campaign.