Baker Mayfield has been the epitome of durability for the Buccaneers, maintaining an unbroken streak of starts over three seasons. But as the team heads into a new chapter, they'll see a fresh face backing him up. The Bucs have inked a one-year deal with former Bengals quarterback Jake Browning, just as the free-agent signing period kicked off.
In addition to securing Browning, the Bucs moved swiftly to retain running back Sean Tucker, offering him a one-year, $3.25 million contract. This move ensures they can match any outside offers he might receive.
Browning, who made his mark at the University of Washington, spent five seasons learning behind Joe Burrow in Cincinnati. His moment in the spotlight came when he stepped up as the Bengals' starter for seven games in 2023, following Burrow's wrist injury.
During that stretch, Browning impressed with a 71.5% completion rate, throwing for 1,868 yards and 11 touchdowns, leading the Bengals to a 4-3 record. This performance placed him among an elite group of quarterbacks since 1950 who have achieved such stats in their first seven starts.
Last season, Browning faced challenges, passing for 771 yards with six touchdowns and eight interceptions, unable to secure a win in his three starts. Despite these hurdles, his career totals stand at 2,707 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.
Mayfield, known for his resilience, has played through pain and remained the Bucs' steadfast leader since beating out Kyle Trask for the starting role in 2023. Trask was released last season, making room for Teddy Bridgewater, who recently signed with the Lions.
The quarterback roster now features Mayfield, Browning, and Connor Bazelak, who spent much of last year on the practice squad.
In the backfield, Tucker will bolster a lineup that includes Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell, the latter of whom joined the Bucs with a two-year, $14 million deal. Tucker's performance last season saw him rush for 320 yards and lead the team with seven touchdowns, despite a dip in his rushing average to 3.7 yards per carry. In 2024, he had shown flashes of brilliance with a 6.2-yard average on 50 carries.
The Buccaneers are clearly focused on building depth and versatility as they aim for a successful season ahead.