Bucs legend Ronde Barber is STOKED ... telling TMZ Sports his squad just became serious Super Bowl contenders!
Of course, Ronde is one of the all-time Bucs greats -- spending 16 seasons in Tampa and winning a Super Bowl in the process.
But, the former defensive back admits his beloved squad hasn't exactly been relevant on a national level in years ... UNTIL NOW, BABY!!!
"You don't sign Tom Brady to a team that has this much talent ... without the expectation that you wanna win a Super Bowl," Barber says.
"They have talent on this football team.