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No NFL team wants to begin its season with uncertainty at the quarterback position. The Buccaneers face that very dilemma heading into training camp, as Baker Mayfield is set to play on the last year of his contract. Tampa Bay's training camp outlook could look very different depending on whether or not Mayfield gets his desired extension.
Despite the apparent lack of progress to get a deal done, there is clear interest from both sides to keep Mayfield in Tampa. The Bucs are too talented in too volatile a division to have a shot at a top quarterback in next year's draft. Mayfield is simply their best option in the near-term.
That is why the Bucs need to get a deal done now. The last thing the team, and head coach Todd Bowles in particular, need is a distracted and discontent quarterback. He has a new offense to learn and will be without Tampa Bay's longtime offensive security blanket, wide receiver Mike Evans, who left for San Francisco this offseason. With Evans gone, Mayfield is unquestionably the Bucs' offensive centerpiece.
What awaits Mayfield in training camp is a bit of a mystery. Incoming offensive coordinator Zac Robinson was Mayfield's quarterback coach during his stint with the Rams in 2022, so there is some familiarity there.
However, as the Atlanta Falcons' offensive coordinator the last two seasons, Robinson ran a distinct offense from what the Rams did while he was on their staff. The Falcons passed almost exclusively from the shotgun while frequently running the ball out of the pistol. It is unclear whether this was purely Robinson's intention for the offense or an adjustment due to the limitations of Michael Penix and Kirk Cousins.
What Mayfield will be familiar with is the high pre-snap motion rate and condensed 11-personnel formations. The main question is what, if any, changes Robinson will make to his offensive scheme. Mayfield is no stranger to change, as Robinson will be his fifth offensive coordinator since 2022.
The backup quarterback position also will not be a source of much drama. Tampa Bay signed former Cincinnati Bengals QB Jake Browning this offseason to sit behind Mayfield. While he is little more than a career backup, Browning has more experience at the position than anyone else on the roster besides Mayfield.
The Bucs have not carried three quarterbacks on the main roster since Bruce Arians was head coach, and that is not likely to change in 2026. Connor Bazelak returns to fight for a spot on the practice squad against undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels. While this battle will bear little consequence to the main roster, Daniels does bring a similar physical profile and play style to Baker Mayfield. However, his lack of consistency will likely keep him from threatening for a roster spot.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 2026 Bucs training camp preview: Quarterback
Continue reading...
Despite the apparent lack of progress to get a deal done, there is clear interest from both sides to keep Mayfield in Tampa. The Bucs are too talented in too volatile a division to have a shot at a top quarterback in next year's draft. Mayfield is simply their best option in the near-term.
That is why the Bucs need to get a deal done now. The last thing the team, and head coach Todd Bowles in particular, need is a distracted and discontent quarterback. He has a new offense to learn and will be without Tampa Bay's longtime offensive security blanket, wide receiver Mike Evans, who left for San Francisco this offseason. With Evans gone, Mayfield is unquestionably the Bucs' offensive centerpiece.
What awaits Mayfield in training camp is a bit of a mystery. Incoming offensive coordinator Zac Robinson was Mayfield's quarterback coach during his stint with the Rams in 2022, so there is some familiarity there.
However, as the Atlanta Falcons' offensive coordinator the last two seasons, Robinson ran a distinct offense from what the Rams did while he was on their staff. The Falcons passed almost exclusively from the shotgun while frequently running the ball out of the pistol. It is unclear whether this was purely Robinson's intention for the offense or an adjustment due to the limitations of Michael Penix and Kirk Cousins.
What Mayfield will be familiar with is the high pre-snap motion rate and condensed 11-personnel formations. The main question is what, if any, changes Robinson will make to his offensive scheme. Mayfield is no stranger to change, as Robinson will be his fifth offensive coordinator since 2022.
The backup quarterback position also will not be a source of much drama. Tampa Bay signed former Cincinnati Bengals QB Jake Browning this offseason to sit behind Mayfield. While he is little more than a career backup, Browning has more experience at the position than anyone else on the roster besides Mayfield.
The Bucs have not carried three quarterbacks on the main roster since Bruce Arians was head coach, and that is not likely to change in 2026. Connor Bazelak returns to fight for a spot on the practice squad against undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels. While this battle will bear little consequence to the main roster, Daniels does bring a similar physical profile and play style to Baker Mayfield. However, his lack of consistency will likely keep him from threatening for a roster spot.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 2026 Bucs training camp preview: Quarterback
Continue reading...
