Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-sign 2018 third-string quarterback Ryan Griffin

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers make their first move of free agency and bring back Ryan Griffin on a multi-year extension through 2020.

Around 3:15pm EST, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers officially made their first signing of free agency, re-signing 2018 third string quarterback Ryan Griffin to a two-year deal. It remains to be seen whether or not Jason Licht will roll with Griffin as their backup quarterback in 2019, or if they will continue to pursue other options. The details of the extension have not been released yet.

Griffin has been in the NFL since 2013, starting his career in New Orleans with the Saints as an undrafted free agent out of Tulane before coming over to Tampa Bay in 2015. The 6’5 and 205 pound quarterback has not thrown a professional pass in five seasons on active rosters in both New Orleans and Tampa Bay.

During his collegiate career at Tulane, Griffin started 42 games for the Green Wave, and finished with a 60% completion percentage. He finished with over 9,000 total yards and 56 touchdowns compared to 35 interceptions; Griffin averaged a quarterback rating of 122.4 while at Tulane.

Now at 29-years-old, the journeyman quarterback has managed to hang around the league for six seasons, bouncing around from practice squad, to active roster, to injured reserve, back to active roster. Providing depth behind Jameis Winston, the Bucs look to utilize Griffin as much as they can, whether that is as a mentor to young players, or an active roster depth piece.

While Winston was suspended for the first three games of the 2018 season, Griffin served as the backup to Ryan Fitzpatrick for the Buccaneers. It is yet to be seen whether or not Griffin will see the chance to be the full-time backup quarterback for the Buccaneers in 2019. However, Licht has seen enough in the veteran quarterback to bring him back to Tampa Bay on a multi-year extension.