Insider: Buccaneers look 'checked out' amid 'relentless' Tom Brady headlines

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has added his name to the list of NFL analysts and insiders who think the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won't flip a figurative switch to turn things around this fall. 

"What's shocking is how Tampa looks checked out right now," Fowler noted for a piece published Wednesday, "like they can't wait for the offseason. Talking to a few scouts, they see a combination of bad offensive line play, (quarterback Tom Brady) not trusting that offensive line, lack of continuity with new receivers (Julio Jones is always hurt, and Russell Gage hasn't quite hit it off with Brady yet) and...they desperately miss Rob Gronkowski. That's why it wouldn't shock to see Tampa look at the tight end trade market. 

"The defense has been good for a while and should recover from a bad few weeks. But as one NFC exec told me...after eight months of relentless Brady headlines, that has to permeate your locker room, right?"

The "Brady headlines" Fowler referenced include stories about Brady's short-lived winter retirement and numerous reports claiming that the 45-year-old and wife Gisele Bündchen have hired divorce attorneys because their marriage may be "beyond saving." 

Fowler's take isn't necessarily all that hot considering radio hosts, former quarterback Chris Simms, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio and NFL Network's Kyle Brandt have all publicly said this month they believe Brady could retire for good during the season. Hall of Famer Kurt Warner has pointed out that Brady has looked "exhausted" as of late. 

As recently as Tuesday, Brady appeared somewhat defeated when speaking about his offense as the 3-4 Buccaneers prepare to host the 4-3 Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night. It's possible that the all-time great may simply be showing his age ahead of what should be a last retirement announcement.