The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are facing long-term uncertainty at the quarterback position
While the organization’s goal is to re-sign Baker Mayfield to a contract extension, his training camp deadline is fast approaching with no progress being made.
If Mayfield plays out his contract year, he’ll have the opportunity to test the open market next offseason, and there’s no guarantee he returns to Tampa Bay in that scenario.Â
But even if Mayfield does sign an extension with the Buccaneers, the backup quarterback situation is viewed as one of the worst in the NFL, and Tampa Bay might benefit from a stronger contingency plan in the quarterback room.
With Shedeur Sanders potentially on the trade block, could the Bucs strike a deal to land a cheap upgrade to their quarterback room?
Buccaneers listed as a top landing spot amid Shedeur Sanders Browns trade rumors
With Deshaun Watson emerging as the front runner for the starting job in Cleveland, and the Browns having other backups including Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green, Sanders could find himself on the move.Â
PFSN’s Cooper Kleinberg listed three teams that make the most sense in a potential Shedeur Sanders trade, and the Bucs were chosen as one of the top suitors.Â
“There is still plenty of uncertainty surrounding Baker Mayfield this offseason, and the rest of the quarterback room doesn’t offer much long-term optimism. Behind Mayfield are veteran Jake Browning, along with Connor Bazelak and Jalon Daniels.”
“If contract negotiations with Mayfield ultimately fall through and the Buccaneers disappoint this season, they’ll likely be in the market for quarterback talent… Sanders could give the Buccaneers a developmental option behind Mayfield before eventually taking over as the team’s long-term starter.”
While it’s possible to talk yourself into a Sanders-Tampa Bay trade, frankly, it’s an unrealistic move that would make no sense for the Buccaneers.Â
While it’s true that Browning doesn’t inspire much confidence as the backup, coming off a season where he went 0-3 as a starter and threw more interceptions than touchdowns, Sanders didn’t fare much better.
Sanders went 3-4 as a starter, but he also had more turnovers than touchdowns, along with a lower completion percentage than Browning.Â
If the Bucs are going to sacrifice draft capital to add another quarterback, which is unlikely as it is, it would have to be a tangible upgrade over their in-house options — such as a Mac Jones or Davis Mills. Sanders isn’t that.Â
The Bucs also already have two young developmental quarterbacks they really like in Connor Bazelak and Jalon Daniels.
Bazelak earned a spot on the practice squad after signing as an undrafted free agent last season, and the team liked him enough to bring him back for another year.
Daniels was signed as an undrafted free agent this offseason, and he’s been one of the biggest stories coming out of Tampa Bay. He’s shined throughout the offseason, and the organization has completely fallen in love with him on and off the field.
If Daniels shows promise during training camp and the preseason, he’s a lock for the practice squad at minimum. The team thinks they might’ve struck gold on a potential QB2 after he develops as a pro.Â
With Browning currently pencilled in as the backup for 2026, and two more quarterbacks on the depth chart that the Bucs are high on, it would be malpractice to sacrifice any future draft picks to bring in Sanders.
He hasn’t proven to be an upgrade over the quarterbacks already in Tampa Bay, and as a result, it’s virtually impossible to imagine Jason Licht having any interest in acquiring him.
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