Report: WR Russell Gage to join Bucs on three-year deal

New Bucs wide receiver Russell Gage Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Report: WR Russell Gage to join Tom Brady, Buccaneers on three-year deal

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 3/15/22

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got a franchise quarterback on their roster without having to do anything after seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady confirmed on Sunday evening he was ending his retirement and returning to the organization for at least one more season.

Tampa Bay is on the cusp of giving Brady a new weapon when the new league year opens on Wednesday.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport (h/t Kevin Patra) and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler report that wide receiver Russell Gage intends to sign with the Buccaneers. Per Carmen Vitali of The Draft Network, the 26-year-old is putting pen to paper on a three-year deal that could be worth up to $30 million.

Per NFL League source.. Former Falcons WR Russell Gage is signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Gage gets 3 years and $30-million, $20-million guaranteed
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) March 15, 2022

Gage entered the NFL when the Atlanta Falcons selected him in the sixth round of the 2018 draft, and he spent his first four pro seasons with that franchise. Per ESPN stats, he led the Falcons among receivers for the 2021 campaign with 66 catches, 94 targets, 770 receiving yards, and four touchdown receptions. He will now presumably replace Antonio Brown, who famously stormed off the MetLife Stadium field during Tampa Bay's win at the New York Jets in early January and was quickly shown the door by that club.

Gage will sit beneath stars Mike Evans and Chris Godwin on the Buccaneers depth chart.

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