The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn't sign Tom Brady just to go 7-9 again.
So, how does Tampa Bay plan to build a Super Bowl contender around its six-time Super Bowl champion quarterback?
The club already has agreed to terms with offensive tackle Joe Haeg and brought back several key players like tight end Cameron Brate and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.
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But don't expect the Bucs to go on a free-agent spending spree. Here's what one NFL executive told ESPN about Tampa Bay's expected offseason strategy:
The team will be careful in how it places pieces around (Brady). The Bucs won't overreact, I'm told, and are relying heavily on the draft to do just that.
The executive also reported the Bucs wanted to re-sign wide receiver Breshad Perriman before he went to the New York Jets and touched base with star running back Melvin Gordon before watching him sign with the Denver Broncos.
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It appears Tampa Bay will be relatively prudent with its remaining $22 million in cap space, however, relying on its seven selections in the 2020 NFL Draft -- including No. 14 overall -- to add young talent around Brady.
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The Bucs don't necessarily need more pass-catchers for Brady, who will get to throw to Pro Bowl wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans in addition to tight ends Brate and O.J. Howard.
But the executive noted that defense will be a priority for Tampa Bay, which should look to re-sign linebacker Lavonte David after agreeing to terms with Suh.
The Bucs' window for contention is now: Brady turns 43 in August and is only on a two-year deal. So, while a "careful" approach has its merits, the club may want to be a bit more aggressive if it's serious about making noise in the NFC.