Veteran Quarterback Predicted to Land With Buccaneers in 2024, Backup Baker Mayfield
Buccaneers’ quarterback Baker Mayfield has had a renaissance of sorts this season. After not being able to find stable footing since being traded from the Cleveland Browns a couple of seasons ago it seems likely that Baker has played himself into a long-term contract in Tampa Bay to remain their starter for the foreseeable future.
Even with the notion that Baker does decide to sign and remain with the Buccaneers, the team will need to decide their backup quarterback situation.
This season, the Bucs have been lucky when it comes to the health of their quarterback - something that can’t be said for many of the teams in the NFL. Things could have gone much differently this season if Mayfield did have to miss significant time as they rode just two quarterbacks on their active roster.
The Bucs will likely retain backup Kyle Trask next season even with the signing of Baker, so it will be up to the Buccaneers to see if they want to bolster the room and go three deep or not.
If Tampa Bay decides to fill out the QB room a bit more, the guys at Spotrac think that veteran QB Sam Darnold would be a great fit.
“THE BUCCANEERS EXTEND BAKER MAYFIELD TO A 4-YEAR $164M CONTRACT, INCLUDING $84M FULLY GUARANTEED. TAMPA SIGNS SAM DARNOLD TO A 1 YEAR, $2M CONTRACT TO SOLIDIFY THE ROOM.”
Darnold, the former third overall pick in 2018, has bounced around the league as a starter and backup. Over the course of his six-year NFL career, Darnold has a passer rating of 78.2 and has thrown 61 touchdowns and 55 interceptions.
Darnold is by no means going to light the world on fire when he does see action on the field, but he is a serviceable replacement when called upon. IF Mayfield were to get hurt the Bucs should feel a bit more comfortable rolling with Darnold rather than the unproven Trask.
If Tampa Bay can get Darnold on a cheap contract that would solidly the Bucs’ QB room and they can then look to help fill out the rest of their roster
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