Getty
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 24: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates in the final seconds of their 31 to 26 win over the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Championship game at Lambeau Field on January 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Getty
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 24: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates in the final seconds of their 31 to 26 win over the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Championship game at Lambeau Field on January 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
With exactly 100 days to go to the season opener, Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head into the 2021 NFL season as the defending Super Bowl champions.
A 7-time Super Bowl winner, facing the 43-year-old quarterback remains a daunting task for any opposition. But Carolina Panthers linebacker Denzel Perryman isn’t one to shy away from that challenge.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Reuters
NFL Football – Super Bowl LV – Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Kansas City Chiefs – Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida, U.S. – February 7, 2021 Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Tom Brady celebrates with the Vince Lombardi trophy after winning the Super Bowl LV REUTERS/Brian Snyder
The former LA Chargers linebacker was picked up by the franchise in free agency this offseason. The side that once heralded one of the best linebackers in the league in Luke Kuechly has been in need of an explosive player in the middle of the field for years.
READ MORE: Opinion: Can a Trade for Julio Jones Help Keep Russell Wilson in Seattle?
Perryman could help bridge that gap. Belonging to the same division as the Buccaneers, Perryman is ready for the challenge that Brady promises to possess.
Perryman ready to step up for the Tom Brady challenge
During an appearance on NSPN NEXGEN Sports podcast, Perryman talked about the challenge of facing Brady twice a year.
“It’s important not to make it bigger than what it is. Everyone knows what Tom Brady can do. But at the end of the day, it’s all about Xs and Os. They get paid to make plays the same as us,” he said.
Not looking to downplay the challenge that lay in front of him, the linebacker said that every one of the Panthers will need to step up their game when it comes to Brady.
“Playing him twice a year will be a challenge but that’s something I don’t back away from and everyone needs to step up.”
Last season, the Buccaneers got the better of the Carolina Panthers on both occasions. First a 31-17 win at the Raymond James Stadium, followed by a 46-23 romping away in the Panthers backyard.
To better help their playoff ambitions, the Panthers will need to up their game. Finishing with a 5-11 record, the Panthers were way off the pace.
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 3, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) looks to pass under pressure from New England Patriots defensive end Chase Winovich (50) during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
But the return of star running back Christian McCaffrey and the inclusion of quarterback Sam Darnold should help the side put in a better showing in 2021.
READ MORE – Patrick Mahomes Eyeing Ambitious 20-0 Undefeated Season With the Chiefs
Perryman too will hope to make a difference when he pads up for his new team. With the Bucs set to take on the Panthers right after Christmas, the side can make a real statement by defeating the defending Super Bowl champs.
