5 teams that could have 49ers-like turnaround in 2020
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2019 Record: 7-9
One can only wonder how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 2019 campaign would have gone if then-quarterback Jameis Winston wasn’t a turnover machine.
Granted, the Bucs were the recipients of arguably the biggest free-agent move from the offseason, bringing aboard former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, which subsequently lured All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski out of retirement.
This isn’t 2012, however, so it might be wiser to be a bit more bearish on Tampa Bay than most. Brady is well on the wrong side of 40 years old, and Gronk has a long way to go before proving he’s the kind of player he was during his heyday.
Still, the Buccaneers were loaded elsewhere before the Brady and Gronkowski additions. The 49ers can attest to this from their 2019 Week 1 matchup, where Tampa Bay’s defense proved to be a challenge enough. Getting Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield Jr. in the NFL Draft should provide a major boost here as well.
On offense, wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin give Brady potency he didn’t enjoy last year in New England. That’s scary enough to suggest Tampa Bay is a legitimate playoff contender now.