The Buccaneers keep getting dragged into Anthony Richardson trade talk, and the fit is easy enough to understand. Tampa Bay has Baker Mayfield under contract for one more season, but the long view at quarterback is still fuzzy.
If a deal with Mayfield never comes together, the Bucs can always use the franchise tag after the season. But if things go sideways - whether that means a down year, regression, or a refusal to pay market value - they’d need a backup plan.
That’s where Richardson keeps popping up.
The Colts have reportedly moved on from Richardson as a franchise quarterback, and he asked for a trade this offseason. For a team like Tampa Bay, the appeal is obvious on paper: a cheap swing on a former No. 4 overall pick with rare physical tools.
FanSided’s Zachary Rotman recently listed the Buccaneers as Richardson’s best landing spot, writing, “A team like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could make sense for Richardson. The Bucs are set for now with Baker Mayfield under center, but it's not as if Jake Browning should give them much confidence for 2026 or beyond as the backup.
Richardson is still incredibly raw, but has upside. A change of scenery and a year of sitting behind Mayfield could help unlock him.
It's a longshot, but he'd come cheap anyway,” wrote Rotman.
And there’s no denying why Richardson still tempts teams. At 6-foot-4 and 244 pounds, he has the kind of size that brings Cam Newton comparisons.
He also owns a rocket arm and ran a 4.43 40-yard dash. The athletic gifts jump off the screen.
But the production hasn’t caught up. Through 15 starts, Richardson has completed only 50.6% of his passes and thrown more interceptions than touchdowns. The accuracy and processing issues haven’t shown much growth through three seasons, and that’s the kind of profile that usually makes teams hesitate before giving up draft capital.
For Tampa Bay, that hesitation matters. Jason Licht has made it clear enough with his actions that the long-term goal remains extending Mayfield, and it’s hard to see him paying to import a developmental project when the Bucs already have one in the building.
That project is Jalon Daniels.
Tampa Bay signed Daniels as an undrafted free agent this offseason, and the early buzz around him has been strong. Licht, Todd Bowles, Zac Robinson, and Chandler Whitmer have all spoken highly of the rookie. Then Daniels backed it up in his preseason debut Friday night against the Jets.
He went 10-of-15 for 111 yards and added a rushing touchdown. His mobility and arm strength stood out, and he looked like a quarterback who could actually grow into something in Tampa Bay.
That’s why the Richardson chatter feels more like noise than a real path. Daniels is already there, already getting attention, and already giving the Buccaneers a cheaper developmental option to mold behind Mayfield.
If he becomes more than a QB2, that’s a win. If he doesn’t, Tampa Bay still may have found a useful answer to a problem that has bothered the roster lately.
So yes, the connection to Richardson makes sense. But a trade feels far-fetched. More likely, Mayfield remains the starter in Tampa Bay for 2027 and beyond, with Daniels developing behind him instead of Richardson.
In Other News...
Ayden Garnes Is Giving Bucs Fans A Rookie Story To Love
Ayden Garnes has already given Buccaneers fans a preseason moment to remember, and it came from a player who arrived in Tampa Bay with plenty of reasons to be noticed. The undrafted rookie cornerback made a splash in the preseason opener with a 47-yard pick-six, the kind of play that can turn a camp battle into something much more interesting for a team sorting through the back end of its roster.
Garnes has been drawing attention for more than just his play on the field. Before his NFL career, he underwent a bone marrow donation procedure after being identified as a match during a collegiate drive at Duquesne University, a selfless act that potentially saved the life of a woman in her 20s. Now he is trying to turn that same blend of character and athleticism into a place on the Buccaneers roster, and he has given himself an early story worth following. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Get A Tristan Wirfs Boost As Emeka Egbuka Sparks Concern
Tristan Wirfs finally got back on the field for the Buccaneers during their joint practice with the Jets, a welcome sight for an offense that has been waiting to see its Pro Bowl tackle ramp up for training camp. Backup quarterback Jake Browning also returned after missing a preseason game with a back strain, while linebacker Christian Rozeboom was sidelined, adding another layer to a practice day that already carried some lineup shuffling.
The concern moment came with Emeka Egbuka, who left early after a lower-body toe issue while working against New York. The rookies departure briefly changed the tone of the session, even if the injury is not viewed as a long-term problem, and Tampa Bay will be watching closely to see how he responds as camp moves forward. [Read more 🡒]
Bucs Defense Flashed As Tampa Bay Got A Crucial Camp Boost
The Buccaneers got a useful jolt at training camp practice as they continued preparing for their preseason matchup with Kansas City, and the defense made sure it was the group drawing attention. Jacob Parrish, David Walker and Yaya Diaby were among the standouts, with the unit stacking up pass breakups and sacks while showing the kind of activity Tampa Bay has been looking for as camp rolls on.
There was also a welcome sign on the injury front, with Tristan Wirfs, Benjamin Morrison and S JJ Roberts back on the practice field. The defensive highlights kept coming as the day went on, including takeaways that helped underline how sharp the group looked, even if there is still more to learn about how quickly that momentum can carry into game action. [Read more 🡒]