Buccaneers 2018 Off-Season Position Preview: Quarterback

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs for 17 yards during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on December 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs for 17 yards during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on December 31, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 11: Ryan Griffin #4 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers passes the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth quarter of a preseason game at Paul Brown Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 11: Ryan Griffin #4 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers passes the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth quarter of a preseason game at Paul Brown Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Potential Cuts

Ryan Griffin

There’s only one option here, obviously, and it’s the Buccaneers’ untested backup.

What can you say about Griffin? Well, he played in just one pre-season game in 2017, and reached the top of his hype – if you can call it that – in 2016.

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In the preseason that year, he completed nearly 60% of his passes for 429-yards and one touchdown. The problem is, he also threw four interceptions and had three fumbles. Of course, he wasn’t playing with first string talent either.

His largest single body of work came in the 2016 pre-season as well.

In the fourth and final game of the year, Griffin threw for 190-yards and a touchdown while completing 60.5% of his passes in a loss to the Washington Redskins.

Tampa Bay had plenty of opportunities to play him in the 2017 regular season and balked at the chance each time.

This doesn’t scream confidence in the 28-year old to me, and I doubt highly the team is just trying to keep the next Tom Brady under wraps.

Licht and the Buccaneers are nowhere near salary cap troubles, but if they draft a younger player with a higher ceiling, there wouldn’t be any groans coming from the Glazers if they decide to cut loose from Griffin and his $1.1 Million price tag.