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"We'll see what the future holds," Licht said during an NFL
Network appearance Tuesday. "We'll leave the light on. You
always leave the light on for a guy like Tom Brady."
Licht is in Indianapolis to attend this week's scouting combine,
where he said the team is "trying to make our plans to move
forward" without the seven-time Super Bowl winner. "If that's
the case that we need to move forward," Licht then added with a
giant "if."
Brady, 44, announced his retirement on Feb. 1 after leading the
NFL in passing attempts (719), completions (485), yards (5,316)
and touchdown passes (43) in his 22nd season in 2021.
Barely a week later, he fueled speculation about his future
plans by telling host Jim Gray "never say never" when asked
about playing in 2022 on his "Let's Go!" podcast.
Licht's comments sound more optimistic than those of Bucs head
coach Bruce Arians, who has said he would be "shocked" if Brady
returns. But if he did?
"That door is never closed. Whenever Tom wants to come back,
he's back. If Tom wants to come back, we'll have plenty of money
for him," Arians said from the scouting combine.
But Arians shot down any scenario where the Bucs would trade
Brady.
"Nope," Arians said. "Bad business. ... Five No. 1s. Maybe."
Both Arians and Licht said 2021 second-round draft pick Kyle
Trask is going to "get a great, great shot."
"I mean, he's earned his shot," Arians said. "I'm really, really
impressed with the way he improved the things he needed to when
he was running the scout team, his presence in the pocket,
movement in the pocket -- all those things on and off the field
that Tom taught him, leaning out, getting a little quicker -- he
can throw it."
Licht was asked whether Trask could be a surprise like New
England rookie QB Mac Jones was in 2021.
"I definitely think so," Licht said. "I definitely think he's
got a chance. He's shown all the signs that it's pointing that
way with his intelligence, his ability to pick up the offense,
his work ethic, the way he absorbs information and retains
information, and the way he throws the ball."
A 15-time Pro Bowl selection and a three-time NFL MVP, Brady is
the league's all-time leader with 84,520 passing yards and 624
touchdown passes.
--Field Level Media
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