{"id":869662,"date":"2026-04-19T05:39:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T05:39:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/869662\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T05:39:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T05:39:42","slug":"are-the-buccaneers-in-the-market-for-a-qb-in-this-years-nfl-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/869662\/","title":{"rendered":"Are The Buccaneers In The Market For A QB In This Year\u2019s NFL Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the 2026 NFL Draft with several needs, but quarterback sits low on the list.<\/p>\n

The Buccaneers are stable at quarterback beyond Baker Mayfield, who appears in line for a lucrative extension<\/a> this offseason. General manager Jason Licht reinforced the room by signing Jake Browning<\/a> as a capable backup, after already bringing back Connor Bazelak on a one-year deal<\/a>. Still, with quarterback being the league\u2019s most critical position, Tampa Bay remains active and attentive to any opportunity that emerges.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNo Stone Unturned\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Buccaneers have already met with a few quarterbacks in this year\u2019s class, both formally and informally. When asked during his pre-draft press conference whether Tampa Bay would consider drafting one, general manager Jason Licht didn\u2019t shut the door on the idea.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve looked at all the quarterbacks in this year\u2019s draft, and we do it every year. We haven\u2019t drafted a lot since I\u2019ve been here, quarterbacks,\u201d Licht stated<\/a>. \u201cBut I\u2019ll kind of echo the same thing I said \u2013 we signed Jake Browning and we like him. We really like [Connor Bazelak] and what he showed us last year and we had him all year. [We will] give a chance for the new staff to see him here coming up here during the offseason\u2026 But if there\u2019s one that we like, that we feel comfortable taking at the right spot, it\u2019s something that we\u2019ve talked about. It\u2019s something that we\u2019ve talked about [doing] every year. So we\u2019ll just kind of have to see how it falls.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Buccaneers held informal meetings with several notable prospects, including Jalon Daniels, Ty Simpson, Drew Allar, Joey Aguilar, and Taylen Green, signaling clear due diligence at the position.<\/p>\n

Currently Comfortable\u00a0<\/p>\n

The team remain comfortable with their current quarterback room. Any rookie addition would likely compete with Bazelak for the QB3 role, with Browning expected to back up Mayfield in 2026. Carrying three quarterbacks on the active roster seems unlikely, making a practice squad spot the more probable landing spot for that third option.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also the question of Mayfield\u2019s contract, which runs through the 2026 season. While many expect Mayfield and general manager Jason Licht to reach an extension before kickoff, there\u2019s always a chance both sides let it play out. If that happens, adding a young quarterback could provide some insurance in case 2026 doesn\u2019t unfold as planned and a new deal never materializes.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAll Options On The Table\u00a0<\/p>\n

You can never over-scout the quarterback position, and while it\u2019s not the most likely outcome, the Buccaneers taking one in this draft isn\u2019t off the table. Clarity won\u2019t come until the draft opens on April 23, and even then, it would likely take until Day 2 or Day 3 before fans hear general manager Jason Licht make that call.<\/p>\n

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