Bruce Arians praises former SEC star, possible Tom Brady replacement

Bruce Arians has never been shy about speaking his mind, and his latest comments could puzzle the football world. As Arians searches for a replacement for Tom Brady amid his retirement, the Buccaneers coach dished out high praise for former Missouri star Blaine Gabbert.

A former top-ten pick in the NFL Draft, Gabbert has never lived up to the hype he entered the league with. However, he’s been able to carve out a lengthy football career as a backup quarterback. Throughout his career, Gabbert has worn many different helmets, but he’s been with Arians in Tampa Bay since 2019.

Now, the Buccaneers have a vacancy at quarterback with Brady opting to end his legendary NFL career. According to Arians, don’t discount the journeyman Gabbert as an option to replace the seven-time Super Bowl champion.

“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 per Pro Football Talk. “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.”

Obviously, Arians has immense respect for Gabbert. However, it’s unheard of for a backup quarterback to turn into a starting caliber signal-caller in the 12th season. Especially one that hasn’t started a game since 2018.

Outside of Gabbert, the Buccaneers have the 64th overall selection of the 2021 NFL Draft in former Florida quarterback Kyle Trask on their roster. The league will be watching if Tampa Bay replaces Brady in-house, or makes a move.

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Moreover, Blaine Gabbert was the third quarterback selected in the 2011 NFL Draft. First, Cam Newton was picked No. 1 overall out of Auburn by the Carolina Panthers. Then, Jake Locker was selected No. 8 overall by the Tennessee Titans out of Washington. After Gabbert was picked No. 10 overall by the Jaguars, the Minnesota Vikings selected Christian Ponder out of Florida State with the No. 12 overall pick.

Surprisingly, Gabbert could be the only one of the four to start a game in 2022. Locker and Ponder are long retired, and Newton‘s future is in great doubt after a wild season spent with the New England Patriots, and a return to the Panthers.

Over his career, the former Missouri star never amounted to his potential. Throughout his career, Gabbert has played for five different teams. The Buccaneers backup has amassed 9,273 passing yards, 50 touchdowns and 47 interceptions throughout his career.

Now, Blaine Gabbert could have the biggest opportunity of his career. It’d be shocking, but Bruce Arians has never been shy about making unpopular decisions for what he believes is best for the team.