Howard Requests a Trade
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers recently acquired the most successful quarterback in NFL history. Shortly after acquiring Tom Brady through free agency the Bucs traded for Rob Gronkowski. This likely knocks former Alabama tight end O.J. Howard down a peg on the 2020 depth chart at tight end. According to JoeBucsFan, Howard has requested a trade from the Buccaneers.
Brady thrived in dissecting defenses in 2012 with two tight end sets utilizing Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez's size and athleticism against opposing linebackers. The Buccaneers have stated they wish to emulate that style of offense and stress defenses with Gronkowski and the former first-round pick. However Howard may not be sold on the idea of splitting snaps with both Gronkowski and Cameron Brate.
Brate caught 36 passes last year to Howard's 34, while Brate reached the endzone four times to Howard's one. Despite coach Bruce Arians stating last season they wished to feature Howard in the offense, he never emerged as a focal point. Should Gronkowski begin the year in the starting tight end role, it could leave Howard out in the cold ceding snaps to Brate in the second tight end role.
The Buccaneers, reportedly had a trade lined up with the Washington Redskins which would send Howard away in exchanged for talented tackle Trent Williams but the two sides could not finalize the agreement. Tamp Bay instead drafted tackle Tristan Wirfs out of Iowa in last night's first round.
The NFL Draft is a prime time for disgruntled players to be traded, if Howard is to get his wish he could see himself in a new city by the start of next week. If Tampa Bay holds onto the talented Crimson Tide tight end they would have until May 5 to decide to pick up his fifth-year option or not.