Tampa Bay Buccaneers Top Free Agent Quarterback Options
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are making a push to sign quarterback Baker Mayfield and will likely meet with his camp at the NFL Draft Combine to try and hammer out a deal before free agency. It is unlikely the two sides won't be able to come to an agreement eventually and a scenario where Mayfield is not the Bucs quarterback in 2024 is highly unlikely.
However, if negotiations do go sideways and Tampa Bay needs to settle for a veteran quarterback, while possibly drafting one for the future, the market isn't great this offseason. Outside of Kirk Cousins who will likely be out of the team's price range, the cupboard is bare. However there are several quarterbacks with recent starting experience that the Bucs could look at if the worst were to unfold.
A potential option already familiar with the team is John Wolford who is set to become a free agent but has stated his desire to remain in Tampa Bay. Wolford has experience as a starter and working with new Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen from their time together with the Rams.
Ryan Tannehill
Tannehill was benched after injury for rookie Will Levis in Tennessee but the Bucs could do worse for a veteran stopgap while they prepare a rookie to take over as the starter. Tannehill is just two years removed from leading the Titans to the best record in the AFC but has missed seven games the last two seasons before losing his job last year.
Gardner Minshew
Minshew is coming off starting the final 13 games of the season for the Colts after first-round rookie Anthony Richardson was lost for the year due to injury. He was up and down as a starter dealing with injuries on the offense that limited the team's overall success but was 7-6 under center and led the Colts to a 9-8 record on the year. He finished with 3,305 yards throwing 15 touchdowns to nine interceptions. There aren't many better options the Bucs could turn to if they needed to turn to a veteran signal-caller for the 2024 season.
Jacoby Brissett
Brissett has bounced around from four different teams holding the place as starter and top backup among his stops. He has started 16 games while playing in 41 of them. His record in those starts is an unimpressive 6-10 and while he wouldn't be the top choice to start a season for the Bucs the free-agent market is barren of veteran quarterbacks with real starting experience.
You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.
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