Tom Brady has retired. Again.

For many in New England and around the game of football, that means reminiscing on the most dominant 23 year run in the history of the sport. In Tampa though, this is the beginning of what will be an arduous process that will be building the team back up in the post-Brady era.

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• Much like the Patriots did towards the end, the Buccaneers did a lot to maximize Brady’s window when he was with the team. That meant mortgaging the future to build in the present.

  As things stand now, the Buccaneers are projected to have negative $55 million in cap space this offseason, according to OverTheCap.com. A big chunk of that is tied up in Brady’s dead cap hit of $35.1 million, which is the second-biggest in NFL history.

  On top of that, the Buccaneers are set to lose some key players in free agency. Seven players who had over a 50 percent usage rate last year are set to hit the open market, including linebacker Lavonte David and cornerback Jamel Dean.

  Yes, Felger and J-Stew, the cap can be maneuvered. But that means making moves to maneuver it. The Buccaneers will need to trim on the edges in order to build their roster for 2023.

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  Oct 2, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and wide receiver Mike Evans (13) talk against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to the game at Raymond James Stadium. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

• One of, if not the most logical candidate for the Buccaneers to move on from to clear cap space is wide receiver Mike Evans. Evans, who will turn 30 in August, is set to have a $23.7 million cap hit in 2023. Tampa would save $14 million in cap space if they trade or release him and designate the move post-June 1.

  If and when the Bucs make Evans available, there should be a decent market for his services. Even in what was perceived as a ‘down year’ in 2022, he caught 77 passes for 1,124 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games. At 6-foot-5, 231 pounds, he is a matchup nightmare for defenses and will force opponents to dictate coverages around him.

  As it turns out, that’s exactly the kind of wideout the Patriots may be looking for this offseason. A few weeks ago, NFL Network’s Mike Giardi shared that “some within the organization” feel as though the Patriots’ wide receiver room ‘needs a real upgrade’ and that they “don’t have one player you gotta game plan for.”

• Couple other notes on the #Patriots
  - There is one very influential voice in upper management who definitively wants Bill O'Brien as the OC.
  - On personnel, there are some within org who feel the WR room needs a real upgrade. "We don't have one player you gotta game plan for." https://t.co/AGD9zW0JMO

  — Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) January 13, 2023

• Without a doubt, Evans fits that bill. The price to acquire him should also be relatively reasonable given the fact he’ll turn 30 this year and will likely need a new contract once the deal is done.

  Even if the Patriots don’t think Evans is the answer, him just being available should make it easier overall to acquire a true veteran No. 1 wide receiver – something that should be a top priority this spring. Evans landing elsewhere takes one more team out of the running for guys like DeAndre Hopkins, Jerry Jeudy, Brandin Cooks, or any of the other top receivers rumored to move this offseason.

  Evans isn’t the only player at a position of need the Bucs could look to move either. Another player to watch is left tackle Donovan Smith. Smith, 29, is also entering the final year of his deal. Tampa would open up just under $10 million in cap space by moving him before June 1, and $15.2 million if they move him after.

• Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].

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