The Buccaneers have restructured the contract of tight end Cameron Brate, per Greg Auman of The Athletic (via Twitter). Earlier this month, Brate was rumored as a trade or release candidate, but Brate’s presence could prove critical for newly-minted QB Tom Brady.
Details of the restructure are not yet known, but it’s worth noting that $4MM of Brate’s $6MM 2020 salary was due to become guaranteed today. He will team with O.J. Howard to form a potentially formidable TE tandem for Brady, who will have a lot more weapons to work with in 2020 than he did in his last year with New England.
Brate, who will turn 29 in July, signed a six-year, $41MM deal ($18MM guaranteed) with the Bucs in March 2018. Over the prior two seasons, he averaged 52 catches for 625 yards and seven TDs, but the 2018-19 campaigns were not as kind to him. He underwent hip surgery last January, and his per-season averages dipped to 33/300/5.
But if nothing else, the former UDFA out of Harvard profiles as a reliable red zone threat, and he could become more with Brady under center.
So hows this gonna work in Tampa with Brady heavily targeting Tight Ends and Arians forgetting they even exist most the time?!
Should be a delightful disaster
Brady: Hey Bruce we’re gonna use the Tight Ends a lot now.
Arians: Yes sir! Hey let me fill up your coffee while I am it.
Brady: Thank you Brucey Bruce (pats on head)
nvm they hashed it out lol
Brady probably targeted TEs bc he’s only had a couple good WRs over the course of 20 years in NE.
Brady is an equal opportunity QB. Over his career, he’s thrown it to whoever is open. Look at the game stats on his pass attempts and you’ll see this.
More weapons is good… don’t over-think this.
Also, wouldn’t you expect that Brady and Arians had a meeting-of-the-minds on the offense before he agreed to sign?
yep, I posted the recording of their conversation above which you will see if you kindly scroll upwards lol