TAMPA Bay general manager Jason Licht says the Buccaneers will “leave the light on” for Tom Brady in case the quarterback (QB) decides to unretire.
“We’ll see what the future holds,” Licht said during an National Football League (NFL) Network appearance on Tuesday. “We’ll leave the light on. You always leave the light on for a guy like Tom Brady.”
Licht is in Indianapolis to attend this week’s scouting combine, where he said the team is “trying to make our plans to move forward” without the seven-time Super Bowl winner. “If that’s the case that we need to move forward,” Licht then added with a giant “if.”
Brady, 44, announced his retirement on Feb. 1 after leading the NFL in passing attempts (719), completions (485), yards (5,316) and touchdown passes (43) in his 22nd season in 2021.
Barely a week later, he fueled speculation about his future plans by telling host Jim Gray “never say never” when asked about playing in 2022 on his “Let’s Go!” podcast.
Licht’s comments sound more optimistic than those of Bucs head coach Bruce Arians, who has said he would be “shocked” if Brady returns. But if he did?
“That door is never closed. Whenever Tom wants to come back, he’s back. If Tom wants to come back, we’ll have plenty of money for him,” Arians said from the scouting combine.
But Arians shot down any scenario where the Bucs would trade Brady.
“Nope,” Arians said. “Bad business… Five No. 1s. Maybe.”
Both Arians and Licht said 2021 second-round draft pick Kyle Trask is going to “get a great, great shot.”
“I mean, he’s earned his shot,” Arians said. “I’m really, really impressed with the way he improved the things he needed to when he was running the scout team, his presence in the pocket, movement in the pocket — all those things on and off the field that Tom taught him, leaning out, getting a little quicker — he can throw it.”
Licht was asked whether Trask could be a surprise like New England rookie QB Mac Jones was in 2021.
“I definitely think so,” Licht said. “I definitely think he’s got a chance. He’s shown all the signs that it’s pointing that way with his intelligence, his ability to pick up the offense, his work ethic, the way he absorbs information and retains information, and the way he throws the ball.”
A 15-time Pro Bowl selection and a three-time NFL MVP, Brady is the league’s all-time leader with 84,520 passing yards and 624 touchdown passes. — Reuters