Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 30 greatest players in franchise history

Coming in as the highest-ranked quarterback on this list, Brad Johnson earns the 18th spot primarily based on his Super Bowl victory. Truthfully, Johnson is the best quarterback in franchise history in terms of talent, although Jameis Winston could surpass him. Prior to Josh Freeman’s 2012 season, Johnson held numerous records for the team including single-season yards and touchdowns marks.

His 3,811 yards in 2003 was a franchise record until 2012 when Josh Freeman broke it with 4,065 yards. In addition, Johnson’s mark of 26 touchdowns held until that same 2012 season when Freeman threw for 27. Regardless, Johnson has something no other quarterback in Tampa Bay history has: a Super Bowl ring.

Johnson joined the Buccaneers in 2001 to reunite with Tony Dungy, as they had both been with the Minnesota Vikings prior to arriving in Tampa. However, it was Jon Gruden who he worked with in the final three seasons of his stint in Tampa Bay.

Johnson’s four seasons in Tampa Bay were supremely productive, as he threw for 10,940 yards and 64 touchdowns. Unlike most quarterbacks in Tampa history, Johnson finished with his tenure with a winning record at 26-23. Obviously the pinnacle was the 12-4 2002 season that culminated in the Super Bowl victory, but Johnson put in three solid seasons before being injured and replaced in 2004.

Despite Johnson admitting to altering the footballs in that 2002 Super Bowl, his time in Tampa Bay was widely regarded as positive. Quite frankly, that is more than enough to earn the highest ranking of any quarterback in franchise history.