If you’ve been following the NFL lately, you know the post-Tom Brady era in Tampa was supposed to be a disaster. Everyone expected the Buccaneers to tank, grab a high draft pick, and start over. Instead, they found a guy who plays like he has a permanent chip on his shoulder and a reckless disregard for his own safety on third downs.
So, who is the quarterback for the Buccaneers right now? It’s Baker Mayfield.
But that’s just the surface level. Honestly, the way Mayfield has cemented himself in Tampa is one of the weirdest, most successful "career resurrections" we've seen in modern football. After bouncing around three teams in a single calendar year, he didn't just take the job; he became the face of the franchise. As of January 2026, he’s fresh off a 2025 season where he basically carried an injury-depleted roster on his back.
The Baker Mayfield era: more than just a placeholder
A lot of fans still think of Baker as a bridge quarterback. That’s a mistake. When he signed that three-year, $100 million deal back in March 2024, it was a signal that the Bucs were done searching.
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His 2025 campaign was a wild ride of "moxie" and physical toll. He started every single game, though it wasn't always pretty. He finished the year with 3,693 passing yards and 26 touchdowns. He also threw 11 interceptions, which is actually pretty decent for a guy who takes as many risks as he does.
What really sets him apart in Tampa isn't just the arm. It’s the legs. Believe it or not, Baker was a top-tier rushing threat this past year. He put up a career-high 382 rushing yards. On third downs, he was basically a cheat code, converting at a 72.4% clip when he decided to tuck the ball and run. Only Josh Allen was better at moving the chains with his feet on third down.
Who else is in the room?
While Baker is the undisputed alpha, the depth chart behind him saw some major shifts recently.
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- Teddy Bridgewater: The veteran joined on a one-year deal in August 2025 to provide some "adult in the room" stability. He saw some action in Week 12 when Baker went down with a shoulder injury against the Rams.
- Connor Bazelak: An undrafted rookie out of Bowling Green who has quickly become a coaching staff favorite. He was promoted from the practice squad multiple times in late 2025, eventually leapfrogging others for a roster spot.
- The Kyle Trask Departure: For years, people wondered if the former second-round pick would ever take the reins. That ship has officially sailed. Trask was released during the final roster cuts of 2025.
Why things are getting "sticky" in 2026
Even though Baker is "the guy," there is some tension building. We are currently heading into the final year of his contract.
In the NFL, a franchise quarterback playing on the last year of his deal without an extension is like walking through a gas station with a lit match. It rarely happens. If the Bucs don't extend him this offseason, his cap hit balloons to roughly $51 million for 2026. That is a massive chunk of change for a team that has some "warts" on the roster, as many analysts have pointed out.
There’s also the "offensive coordinator" problem. Baker is about to start 2026 with his fourth different OC in four years. Josh Grizzard was let go after the 2025 season ended with an 8-9 record. Consistency is hard to find in Tampa these days, even if the quarterback is a lock.
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What to expect next for the Bucs QB position
If you're looking at the future of the Buccaneers' signal-caller, keep your eyes on the 2026 NFL Draft. While Baker is the starter for the upcoming season, the "state of the union" in Tampa suggests they are looking for a succession plan.
Mayfield is 30 now. He plays a physical, punishing style of football that involves an AC joint sprain here and a sling there. The organization has been urged by scouts to look for a developmental replacement early in the draft—not to replace Baker immediately, but to avoid the post-Brady vacuum they barely escaped last time.
Actionable steps for Bucs fans
If you're tracking the roster moves this spring, here is what actually matters for the quarterback position:
- Watch the Extension News: If the Bucs sign Baker to a new deal before June, it means they are all-in on him for the next 3-4 years. If they don't, 2026 is a "prove it" year where he could potentially walk in 2027.
- Monitor the OC Hire: Who Tampa hires to replace Grizzard will dictate if Baker returns to his 2024 peak (41 touchdowns) or stays in the mid-range efficiency of 2025.
- Draft Day Focus: If the Buccaneers take a QB in the first two rounds of the 2026 draft, the clock on the Mayfield era officially starts ticking.
Baker Mayfield is the quarterback for the Buccaneers, but in the NFL, "incumbent" is a temporary title. He's earned the right to lead the team in 2026, but the financial and coaching hurdles ahead mean the front office is far from finished tinkering with the most important position in sports.