Breaking: Bucs Make Surprise Move To Sign $96.2 Million Quarterback

Yes, the Bucs require assistance at a number of spots, as seen by all the positive comments at the February combine.

The Bucs could use a cornerback. Lord knows they desperately need an edge rusher, a left guard, an inside linebacker — the loud crowd demands that center Robert Hainsey be extradited to a foreign land — a running back, and most likely a wide receiver, as Joe is unsure whether Mike Evans or Chris Godwin will be on the roster in two years. A tight end would also be a worthwhile option.

According to CBS’ Cody Benjamin, the Bucs may surprise the NFL by selecting a quarterback at No. 26 or No. 57 in the draft.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Top picks: Nos. 26, 57 overall

The Bucs recently re-signed Baker Mayfield to a $150 extension, but the contract is structured so that Tampa Bay can save up to $20 million by releasing the reclaimed journeyman after 2024, if the extended marriage does not work out. In other words, Mayfield is the man here, but the bond, like Geno Smith’s in Seattle following his breakout, is not unbreakable. Meanwhile, Kyle Trask and John Wolford are the only players behind him on the depth chart.

Here’s the thing: “This Joe” and The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports, JoeBucsFan.com columnist and podcaster Ira Kaufman, both agree on this. How about Michael Pennix or Bo Nix?Joe has no idea how far these guys will go.

This is a unique year in that there are so many talented quarterbacks that one or two may be pushed down the road who would never have made the top ten in any other year.

If Penix or Nix fall into the 20s, does Licht go get one of them? Trade up?

Joe knows what you’re going to say: “Hey, the Bucs signed Baker Mayfield, what about him?” What about him? He’s the starting quarterback.

The Bucs signed Mayfield to a three-year contract, but it is essentially only a two-year contract since the Bucs have an option after two seasons.

Joe knows what you’re going to say next: “Well, what about the quarterback you just drafted?” In recent years, the Packers (twice) and Chiefs appeared to have had a lot of success sitting their first-round quarterback picks. After sitting for a few years, they were knighted starters (Pat Mahomes just sat for one year, Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love sat for several years), and they appeared to be ready to go when they did.

If Mayfield continues to light things up, you have one helluva trade-chip insurance policy on the bench, however there is little to no history on the trading value of a backup quarterback who has not played.