Buccaneers adding veteran receiver Cole Beasley at Tom Brady’s insistence

Cole Beasley has found a new home.

The former Bills wide receiver, 33, is being added to the Buccaneers’ practice squad, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Tuesday morning, “with the expectation he’ll be elevated to the active roster soon,” according to a source.

Beasley, who spent the past three seasons in Buffalo, is said to have been on Tom Brady’s “radar” for some time now, and that the 45-year-old quarterback “pushed” the Buccaneers to “bring in another veteran pass catcher,” per Garafolo.

In what was his final year in Buffalo, Beasley had 82 receptions for 693 yards and one touchdown during the 2021 regular season. He was released by the Bills in March, the same month he was granted permission to seek a trade.

Beasley’s tenure in Buffalo wasn’t without drama, however, as he was also vocal on social media regarding his decision not to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Should Beasley be elevated to the active roster sooner rather than later, he could serve as an immediate asset to Brady, who has lacked some of his offensive weapons as of late. Julio Jones was sidelined in Week 2 with a knee injury, and veteran wideout Mike Evans was ejected in Sunday’s win over the Saints after a skirmish with New Orleans cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Evans has since been suspended for one game.

The Buccaneers host the Packers on Sunday afternoon.