It’s official Tom Brady is retiring from football.

It’s official… Thanks to the GOAT you’ll be missed! https://t.co/9aT9ZWFPFG

— TPS (@TotalProSports) February 1, 2023

They would do well to not pile all of their eggs in one basket so it’s possible they’re already considering at least a few candidates as replacements for the 45-year-old.

With that in mind, Pro Football Network’s Ian Wharton has thought up a situation that would see the Bucs go for Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith. While Smith will also be a free agent, word is the Seahawks are planning to franchise tag the 32-year-old, who was named a Pro Bowler for the first time in his career in 2022.

According to the scenario drawn up by Wharton, the Seahawks would franchise tag the QB before trading him to Tampa Bay.

“Brady has been bad this season, looking slow physically and missing pre-snap cues that he once aced as well as anyone in NFL history,” he pointed out “The Buccaneers offensive line hasn’t done him favors, and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich failed to find an answer. Going from Brady to Smith would be a solid upgrade for Tampa Bay. But going with Smith would require significant cap gymnastics and possibly cost their first-round pick.”

Smith, on the other hand, is coming off the best campaign of his career, having led the NFL in completion percentage while ranking near the top in multiple passing categories.

Should the Buccaneers move for him, they would probably have to give up a first-round pick.

Geno Smith Would Love To Remain In Seattle

The Seahawks and their signal-caller share a mutual interest in staying together in 2023, which is another thing standing in the way of a potential trade.

While he does make sense for the Bucs, the team would be more likely to rebuild in Brady’s wake as opposed to signing a veteran passer for the present.