4 Former Atlanta Falcons teaming up with Tom Brady this season

1. Russell Gage

Gage was Atlanta’s best receiver last season which wasn’t that much of an accomplishment when you consider he was Atlanta’s only reliable receiver. Tajae Sharpe had some solid moments but faded down the stretch and Olamide failed to make a consistent impact. Gage finished the season with 770-receiving yards and took advantage of his big season signing a three-year deal with Tampa.

Gage is in the perfect spot with Tampa as the third or fourth option for a loaded Tampa team. He is going to be able to step into the role he had in Atlanta when the Falcons had Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley as their primary receivers.

Russell was solid during his time in Atlanta but he was far from irreplaceable and despite his numbers was inconsistent last season. Atlanta made the right decision letting him walk and Gage put himself in the best possible situation on a team where he can play a meaningful role while having a legitimate shot of winning a Super Bowl.

The only downside for Gage of this deal is that it appears Brady will leave the Bucs after this season whether in free agency or another retirement. With the number of veteran deals on the roster this likely spells and rebuild and could leave Gage counting on a rookie or bridge quarterback in the final two years of his deal.