At this point in his career, would Russell Wilson be happier with the Seahawks or the Buccaneers? Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Buccaneers could make 'valiant attempt' to land Russell Wilson?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 2/10/22

There continue to be rumors, teases, and whispers that quarterback Tom Brady could end his retirement that isn't yet two weeks old and that the seven-time Super Bowl champion will eventually have a change of heart and either return to the Buccaneers for one more run or work out some sort of agreement with Tampa Bay that would allow him to play elsewhere during the 2022 season.

Logic suggests it's more likely than not Brady is serious about riding off into the sunset and also that the Buccaneers will not be able to package his remaining rights in a trade for a different signal-caller. So what's next for the Super Bowl champions from last February?

General manager Jason Licht vowed last week "to go down every avenue" to find Brady's successor, and one-time champion Russell Wilson is in trade rumors for the second consecutive winter. On Thursday, Luke Easterling of Bucs Wire/USA Today linked those two entities:

I'm not saying a deal will come to fruition, but I believe a valiant attempt will be made. https://t.co/EbcjITdRFv
— Luke Easterling (@LukeEasterling) February 10, 2022

Things I do expect the Bucs to do:

Pursue every conceivable veteran option at QB

Make Russell Wilson their top priority

Bring back Blaine Gabbert as the starter if every other avenue fails https://t.co/Yj5fRpQx5r
— Luke Easterling (@LukeEasterling) February 10, 2022

Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians admitted last month his roster will need a "reload" that will include losing some noteworthy players due to salary-cap issues. Easterling claims that doesn't take the Buccaneers out of the running for Wilson because they could restructure the 33-year-old's deal and add an extension to the contract to spread cap hits across future seasons. This would help what was, at the start of the postseason tournament, a win-now team that would have to mortgage the future to land Wilson hold onto at least some free agents so it could pursue one more Super Bowl title before 2025.

The Los Angeles Rams went all-in on the 2021 campaign without worrying about what could happen and will face the Cincinnati Bengals in Sunday's Super Bowl LVI showdown. It's possible Tampa Bay feels inspired to follow a similar path this offseason.

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