Blaine Gabbert is 10 years removed from being drafted 10th overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars, but at least one coach hasn’t ruled the 32-year-old out as a QB1 in the NFL.
Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians has employed Gabbert as a backup multiple times and claims to be comfortable with the idea of the journeyman starting for Tampa Bay in the post-Tom Brady era. Second-year QB Kyle Trask is another option.
“People may not like the overall record, but Blaine had eight head coaches and eight coordinators his first eight years,” Arians said, via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. “He beat Jacksonville their best year and beat Tennessee their big year for us in Arizona. And he’s been in the system now. I don’t have a problem there and let Kyle continue to grow. Either one. (Gabbert) has never played with a team this good. He’s got all the respect in the locker room that he can have.”
Gabbert left Missouri after a stellar junior season and was selected No. 10 by the Jaguars in 2011, one spot before the Houston Texans picked J.J. Watt and as the third quarterback selected behind Cam Newton (1st overall, Panthers) and Jake Locker (8th, Titans).
Gabbert is a free agent, leaving the Bucs with only 2021 second-round pick Kyle Trask on the roster. But given the connection and history with Arians, Gabbert is likely to consider re-upping with Tampa. He’s 13-35 as a starting quarterback and last started a game in 2018.
Behind Brady the past two season, he completed 16 of 27 pass attempts for 210 yards and two touchdowns.
Brady retired earlier this month and Arians repeatedly has said he doesn’t expect a change of heart from the 44-year-old.
But general manager Jason Licht and Arians are determined to investigate all available options as they did with Brady. Arians reportedly has done homework on Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, veterans who could be netted this offseason via trade.
–Field Level Media