What Does It Mean For Tom Brady's Legacy if Blaine Gabbert is a Capable Starter in Tampa Bay?

When a Hall of Fame quarterback retires (or moves to Florida) teams are found in awkward situations. This year the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are facing the unenviable task of replacing such players. The Steelers seem ready to turn to Mason Rudolph, which has some fans visibly upset. The Bucs are apparently following the same playbook as head coach Bruce Arians has thrown his support behind Blaine Gabbert.

Via the Tampa Bay Times:

“People may not like the overall record, but Blaine had eight head coaches and eight coordinators his first eight years,” Arians said. “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.”

That overall record Arians is referring to is 13-35. Gabbert has played for five franchises in ten seasons to amass that very bad overall record. Most of those teams have been bad, so it is kind of unfair to put all those losses on Gabbert. And if Gabbert was so bad, surely he wouldn't have gotten all these chances, right?

If Gabbert is actually good and was just stuck on bad to middling teams for a decade, that's bad luck. And inheriting the team that won the Super Bowl 13 months ago and won 13 games last season should be very good for Gabbert.

So if Bruce Arians is optimistic, why shouldn't everyone be? It sure would be a shame if the Bucs continued their high level of play with Blaine Gabbert under center, thus giving everyone reason to question how good Tom Brady really was these last couple seasons.