Buccaneers linked to 5 QBs as Baker Mayfield replacements in 'long-shot' prediction

Buccaneers linked to 5 QBs as Baker Mayfield replacements in ‘long-shot’ prediction originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heading into the 2026 NFL season with the hope that Baker Mayfield and the offense can thrive without Mike Evans, putting the offseason contract drama behind them.

But there’s always a chance for things to go south, and that could come in the form of a disastrous season, or even just another middling one that makes the Buccaneers decide to move on from Mayfield.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano shared a “long-shot” prediction that the Buccaneers will move on from Mayfield, and linked them to five very interesting quarterback replacements. From a backup to a Super Bowl winner, this collection of QB replacements is very interesting.

Buccaneers linked to 5 interesting QB replacements for Baker Mayfield

“After another down year, the Bucs and Mayfield agree to part ways,” Graziano writes. “… Maybe it takes a shot on someone such as Tyson Bagent or Tanner McKee. Maybe it tries someone such as Michael Penix Jr. if the Falcons are done with him. Maybe this is the team that takes Jalen Hurts off the Eagles‘ hands or becomes Kyle Murray’s long-term landing spot.”

There are some very interesting names in this list of five pivot options for the Buccaneers, but the most interesting one by far is Jalen Hurts.

The Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl champion is presently not close to being available for trade. But if he and the Eagles struggle again in 2026, then Philadelphia might be looking to shake things up at the quarterback position.

Tampa Bay adding Hurts would be extremely interesting, by far the most captivating replacement option for Mayfield that Graziano noted.

Kyler Murray, now on the Minnesota Vikings, would be fun as well. He could hit free agency and join the Buccaneers even if he plays great for Minnesota in 2026. If he does, he might cost a lot, but he’d be a fun dual-threat to have on the roster.

MORE: Why Vikings have only a 30% chance to trade J.J. McCarthy after QB1 decision

Bagent and McKee are career backups and would be cheap one-year rental options to bridge the team between the Mayfield era and that of a rookie quarterback. If the Buccaneers want to tank in 2027, either of these guys would make sense.

Penix, however, is the most polarizing here by far. Unlike Murray and Hurts, he doesn’t have dual-threat rushing ability and hasn’t shown a prior winning streak, as both veterans have so far.

Compared to McKee and Bagent, Penix is going to cost a lot more to acquire, but might not be better talent-wise, as his upside showcased with the Atlanta Falcons hasn’t been very encouraging.

These five quarterback replacement options for Mayfield are extremely interesting. It might only come to fruition in a “long-shot” scenario, but it’s one possibility for the upcoming season that Buccaneers fans shouldn’t rule out just yet.

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