February 1, 2022

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Allow us to reintroduce ourselves: Sports Section is now Front Office Sports Scoreboard. It’s a busy week, so let’s get right to it.

How Brady’s Contract Affects Bucs’ Future

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

Tom Brady has officially retired from the NFL after 22 seasons.

The 44-year-old’s announcement [[link removed]] Tuesday left a gaping hole at the most important position on the field for a Tampa team that only a few weeks ago looked like it could win back-to-back Super Bowls.

The Bucs’ post-Brady future was always going to be a bit murky — thanks to his uniquely constructed contract, which affects Tampa both in terms of personnel and financial flexibility.

Last March, Brady signed a one-year, $25 million contract extension with three voidable years. He would’ve earned $8.9 million in 2022, plus $18.4 million in bonuses.He’ll receive $15 million of his $20 million signing bonus on Friday, but Tampa can recoup $16 million due to his retirement.If the Bucs process the retirement after June 2, they’ll move [[link removed]] $12.3 million of salary-cap charges to 2023.With Brady still on the books, the Bucs have around $7.7 million in cap space [[link removed]] (19th in NFL) for next season.

With the extra room, Tampa could go big for his replacement. The two other quarterbacks on the roster are veteran Blaine Gabbert, who hasn’t started an NFL game since 2018, and rookie Kyle Trask, who has yet to take an NFL snap.

Some intriguing names to consider via free agency or trade include Aaron Rodgers, Jimmy Garoppolo, Russell Wilson, Derek Carr, Deshaun Watson, or Teddy Bridgewater.

Whoever starts under center next season will follow in the footsteps of a seven-time Super Bowl champion with an incomparable legacy. So, you know, no pressure.

Could Jazz Break Up The Band?

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

Joe Ingles’ season-ending ACL injury might be the tipping point for a Utah Jazz fire sale before next week’s trade deadline.

They topped the West last season but have lost 11 of 13, including five straight. With Ingles on an expiring deal, Donovan Mitchell reportedly [[link removed]] wanting out, and their championship window closing fast, it might make sense to shed Ingles’ $13 million contract — and move Mitchell.

Yes, they’re still the 4-seed, but overall, the Jazz are trending downward.

Utah’s 109.5 defensive rating ranks 15th in the NBA. Last year, it was third (107.5).Injuries are piling up: Gobert has missed seven straight games (calf strain) and Mitchell is out indefinitely (concussion).Ingles, 34, has been integral in his eight seasons with the Jazz, ranking first in franchise history in 3PM, second in effective FG%, and fifth in assists.

Last offseason, they made Rudy Gobert the highest-paid center in NBA history ($205M) and re-signed Mike Conley for three years, $68 million.

But with their $152.8 million payroll roughly $16 million over the luxury-tax threshold, moving Ingles would give them flexibility to either get below the line or acquire someone to help them win now.

If they stand pat through Feb. 10, they could fall into NBA limbo with a disgruntled superstar. We know how that usually ends…

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The Rams’ Unorthodox Approach

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

The Rams made some bold decisions in order to win immediately — and now they’re just a win away from a title.

QB Matthew Stafford, OLB Von Miller, and WR Odell Beckham Jr. have all been instrumental to Los Angeles’ playoff success. All three were acquired within the last year.

GM Les Snead eschewed conventional wisdom in trading a large portion of the Rams’ draft picks over the next two seasons. He also made shrewd financial plays to secure key playmakers.

The Rams acquired Stafford from the Lions by trading QB Jared Goff, a 2021 third-round pick, and first-rounders in 2022 and 2023.For Miller, they sent 2022 second- and third-round picks to the Broncos; Denver ate $9 million of the $9.7 million remaining for the last season of Miller’s contract.After being released by the Browns, Beckham signed a one-year, $1.3 million deal; he can make $3 million in incentives — which include winning the Super Bowl.The Rams own third-, fifth-, and seventh-round picks in 2022, plus second-, third-, fifth-, and sixth-rounders in 2023.

However, L.A. could fall back on compensatory picks: OverTheCap [[link removed]] projects the Rams to get five compensatory selections in the 2022 Draft — tied for most in the league.

The Rams (-4.5*) are the betting favorites — and if they beat the Bengals, no one will second-guess their personnel moves.

Making Headlines

Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

WNBA: Breanna Stewart re-signed with the Storm on a one-year, $228,094 supermax deal. She was the 2018 MVP and Finals MVP in 2018 and 2020.

Soccer: The National Women’s Soccer League reached its first-ever collective bargaining agreement with the NWSL Players Association. The new deal includes higher salaries, free agency, and health benefits. Also: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has joined Barcelona on a free transfer from Arsenal.

NCAAF: Sophomore QB Caleb Williams is transferring from Oklahoma to USC, reuniting with head coach Lincoln Riley.

MLB: Shohei Ohtani will be featured on the cover of “MLB The Show 22,” becoming the first Asian video game cover star for one of the four major U.S. sports.

NBA: LeBron James could miss multiple games due to a left knee injury, per The Athletic [[link removed]].

Today's Action

NHL

07:08 PM

Jets (-160) at Flyers (+140)

Bet Now [[link removed]]

NBA

07:10 PM

Pelicans (+110) at Pistons (-130)

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NHL

08:08 PM

Canucks (+155) at Predators (-180)

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*All times are EST unless otherwise noted.

*Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See [[link removed]] for details.

Written by Chris Kuc [[link removed]], Anthony Puccio [[link removed]], Doug Greenberg [[link removed]]

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