The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have finally checked one of the major boxes of their offseason by agreeing to a two-year deal with wide receiver Mike Evans. With that already sorted out, the clear next item on the list for the Buccaneers is no other than quarterback Baker Mayfield.
The Buccaneers are still the favorite to sign the former No. 1 overall pick this offseason, but at the same time, there is no such thing as a sure shot in NFL free agency, especially for a quarterback who has just successfully rebuilt his stock. There will always be suitors lining up for someone like Mayfield, and if he ends up going somewhere else, Luke Easterling of the Bucs Wire laid out some contingency options for Tampa Bay’s quarterback position.
Intriguing QB Options For The Tampa Bay Buccaneers If Baker Mayfield Goes In Another Direction
Easterling raised a number of intriguing names, including one-time Super Bowl champions Jacoby Brissett and Joe Flacco.
If the Bucs opt for the free agent market, their best options are former Titans QB Ryan Tannehill, journeyman Jacoby Brissett and 2023 Comeback Player of the Year Joe Flacco. Tannehill is fully capable of average NFL quarterback play and might be a fit for new Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s system.
Brissett is reliable and efficient, averaging 6.7 yards per attempt and completing 64% of his passes over the last three seasons. Flacco was a revelation for Cleveland down the stretch last season, averaging 323 yards per game and throwing 13 touchdowns in five games.
Brissett last played with the Washington Commanders in the 2023 NFL season, making three starts and playing in a total of 12 games. Although he has been a decent backup in the NFL with considerable experience as a starter, he would be a big step down from Mayfield if the Buccaneers take him as a replacement for the team’s 2023 starter.
Flacco sounds like a much better option for the Buccaneers than Brissett, but at 39, Tampa Bay can’t view him as a long-time QB1 either.
