With the retirement of Tom Brady, the recent success story of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers already seemed to be over. Seven weeks later, the franchise is back on track for success – thanks in large part to impressive free agency.

Tampa Bay/Munich – Seven weeks can make a big difference.

On February 1, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ house of cards seemed to finally collapse: Quarterback legend Tom Brady announced his temporary career end – for many experts the beginning of the end for the 2020 Super Bowl champion.

A week after the start of the new NFL year, the signs have turned in Florida: With Leonard Fournette and Chris Godwin, the franchise has tied up two key players long-term (click here for the latest free agency ticker), and Brady is also back on board the pirate ship from Tampa Bay after a 180 turnaround.

But first in order.

“Tom Brady effect” makes for terrific atmosphere

“It’s the Tom Brady effect,” Godwin asserted on Instagram following the contract extension of “Lombardi-Lenny” Fournette. The wide receiver was not talking about Brady’s famous “TB12” training method, but about his team’s successful free agency.

A few days after Godwin extended his contract in Tampa Bay, the burly running back followed suit and caused a stir throughout the league. Just the day before, Fournette had completed a tryout in Foxborough with the New England Patriots.

The new contracts of the offensive stars are impressive: Fournette will stay in Florida for three more years, with a total salary of 21 million US dollars.

Godwin, who played under the franchise tag last year, also received a three-year contract from the Buccaneers. In total, the pass receiver can earn 60 million dollars (40 million of which is guaranteed) in this period.

Add to that cornerback Carlton Davis and Pro Bowl centre Ryan Jensen, who also opted to stay in Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Set sail for Super Bowl!

Although the top performers were almost certainly offered more lucrative working papers elsewhere, it’s safe to assume all four chose the Buccaneers because of another free-agency signing.

Tom Brady’s retirement on March 13 brought new movement to the battle for the most coveted free agents, and in one fell swoop made Tampa Bay an attractive site again.

With the words “unfinished business”, the 44-year-old concluded his comeback message and also pointed the direction for Tampa Bay: Set sail for the Super Bowl!

Tom Brady as unbeatable argument

Brady’s presence, coupled with his seven Super Bowl rings, has been a helpful argument for general manager Jason Licht and head coach Bruce Arians in 2020 and 2021.

Fournette, a screened first-round pick, answered the Buccaneers’ call just before the 2020 season started, while star pass rusher Shaquil Barrett extended in Tampa Bay last offseason despite more lucrative offers from competitors. The same was true for Godwin, who signed the one-year franchise tag rather than follow the big money.

“This past week has been a whirlwind for a lot of people,” Godwin expressed relief to “ESPN.” “We’re attacking again and we want to get back to the top. Now to do that you need great players and great people. Tom’s return was a huge part of that. “

Helluva 24 hours for the Bucs…
Tom Brady back ✅
Ryan Jensen back ✅
Carlton Davis back ✅

This in addition already to…
Chris Godwin back ✅
Aaron Stinnie back ✅

Plus optimism on…
Rob Gronkowski returning
Leonard Fournette returning
Free Agency & NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/LBZF1F8URc

– (@ZacOnTheMic) March 14, 2022

Similarly, General Manger Licht suddenly felt a tailwind in negotiations with Davis, Godwin and Co. “In this business, you have to be prepared to expect the unexpected. Still, of course, you have to keep other doors open as well. “

Free Agency: It doesn’t work without losses

The Buccaneers didn’t make it out of free agency without a loss, though. Starting safety Jordan Whitehead joined the New York Jets, while guard Alex Cappa is expected to help protect youngster Joe Burrow in Cincinnati starting in September.

With Ali Marpet, the second starting guard has also departed from Florida, the 28-year-old decided to end his career early.

Rob Gronkowski’s future is also still in question. The star tight end let his best friend Tom Brady lure him out of retirement two years ago, and officially the 32-year-old is still a free agent.

“The chances are not bad,” the future Hall of Famer recently joked in a video about a potential comeback. It would probably be the rounding off of a near-perfect offseason.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Favourites again

Away from the blockbuster trades and generous contract extensions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have come through the Free Agency period with flying colours so far.

At the same time, the franchise enters the new season with a huge fistful of assets: they know the recipe for success in a Super Bowl title and have kept the key pieces of the puzzle almost entirely within their ranks.

Few expected a repeat of that after last year’s successful offseason.

One thing is already clear five months before the start of the new season: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are also a force to be reckoned with in 2022.