Jason Licht reveals Bucs are still shopping for a free agent quarterback

After passing on a quarterback during the NFL Draft, Buccaneers GM Jason Licht said the team is still in the market to add one before training camp begins. 

One of the biggest offseason storylines in Tampa Bay was about what the Buccaneers would do at quarterback.

The retirement of Tom Brady meant the team was forced to enter a new era, one it wasn’t fully equipped to gracefully make the transition into. When the offseason began Kyle Trask was the only quarterback on the roster, something that was intriguing because it was the default option.

Since then the Bucs have added Baker Mayfield on what amounts to a $4 million consulting fee to determine if Trask has what it takes to be The Guy. If Trask wins the competition with Mayfield, then he’ll get a full season to prove he can be the quarterback the team builds around; if he loses then the Bucs will likely have seen all they need to and can proceed accordingly. 

With Mayfield and Trask expected to be the marquee training camp battle this summer, and not a lot of money left to spend, one would assume the front office is done tinkering with the position.

Apparently, nothing could be further from the truth.

Buccaneers GM Jason Licht spoke about the quarterback situation while appearing on WDAE after the draft, and mentioned that the Bucs remain in the market to add another before training camp.

Jason Licht reveals Buccaneers plan for quarterback ahead of training camp

While he didn’t name any names, or reveal much more of his plan other than the rough sketch outline, Licht confirmed that the Bucs aren’t done adding quarterbacks this offseason.

He also gave an idea of what the team is looking for on the open market.

“We probably would like to bring in a vet,” Licht said. “Just somebody that has been there done that and can be in that room with them, not necessarily somebody that we think is going to take over the competition. But somebody that can just add to that room. We’ve got a few options that we’re keeping in mind.”

Tampa Bay carrying three quarterbacks makes sense, since it’s how the team has operated the last handful of seasons. Brady and Blaine Gabbert were the active quarterbacks on Sunday with Trask being the third, although he was routinely inactive.

As for who the Bucs will sign, that’s where the fun begins.

One guy who seems to check all of the boxes Licht mentioned is Joe Flacco. He’s not going to seriously compete for the starting job, but has been both a Super Bowl MVP and an overlooked veteran — it doesn’t get more been there done that than that. He’s also likely to be a cheaper option, which is key since the Bucs currently have less than $1 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap.

The question with Flacco is whether he’s willing to be a mentor and resident veteran in the room? He seemed reluctant to take on that role with Lamar Jackson and actively tried to win the starting job with the Jets. Then again, if Flacco beats out both Mayfield and Trask for as Bucs quarterback, then at least the team will know how truly dire the situation really is.