In the NFL, things can change in an instant. Just ask the 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers ended the 2019 season with a 28-22 overtime loss to the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. The defeat secured Tampa Bay's third straight losing season and its 12th consecutive campaign without a playoff appearance.
During the offseason, the Buccaneers' brass decided to make a major change. It came in the form of arguably the biggest free agent signing in NFL history.
After a highly decorated 20-year run with the New England Patriots, six-time Super Bowl champion and three-time NFL MVP Tom Brady embarked on a "new football journey" in Tampa, replacing Jameis Winston as the Buccaneers' starting quarterback, with Winston also becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Brady instantly gave Tampa Bay a steady presence at the most important position in the sport, something the Buccaneers desperately needed.
In his fifth and final season under center in Tampa, Winston threw for a league-leading 5,109 yards and 33 touchdowns. He became the first Buccaneers quarterback to pass for 5,000 yards in a season. But Winston was also intercepted a league-high 30 times, with seven of those returned for touchdowns. Winston became the first player in NFL history to throw 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in a single season.
Brady signed with the Buccaneers on March 20, 2020, and 324 days later, he led them to a win over Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Tampa Bay's Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers became the first team to win a Super Bowl in their home stadium.
Brady's arrival helped transform the Buccaneers from a playoff-less franchise to Super Bowl champions. Here is a look at the teams that have won the Super Bowl the year after missing the playoffs:
2020 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2017 - Philadelphia Eagles
2011 - New York Giants
2009 - New Orleans Saints
2003 - New England Patriots
2001 - New England Patriots
2000 - Baltimore Ravens
1999 - St. Louis Rams
1982 - Washington
1981 - San Francisco 49ers
1980 - Oakland Raiders
1970 - Baltimore Colts
1968 - New York Jets
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