​No NFL team wants to start a season with quarterback uncertainty, and the Buccaneers are confronting that very issue as training camp approaches. Baker Mayfield is entering the final year of his contract, and Tampa Bay’s outlook at the position could shift significantly depending on whether he lands the extension he seeks. Despite limited progress on a deal, both sides have shown clear interest in keeping Mayfield in Tampa for the long haul. The Bucs are too talented and the division too unpredictable to gamble on next year’s draft quarterback—Mayfield remains their best option in the near term.
That is why it is imperative for the Buccaneers to finalize a deal now. The team, and especially head coach Todd Bowles, cannot afford a distracted or disgruntled quarterback heading into a season. Mayfield will be adjusting to a new offense and will also cope without Mike Evans, Tampa Bay’s longtime trusted target who departed for San Francisco in the offseason. With Evans gone, Mayfield becomes the unequivocal offensive focal point for the Bucs.
What Mayfield will encounter in training camp is somewhat uncertain. New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson comes with a direct link to Mayfield’s recent past, having served as his quarterbacks coach during Mayfield’s 2022 stint with the Rams. Yet Robinson’s recent role as Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator over the past two seasons introduces a different flavor to the playbook. At Atlanta, Robinson oversaw an offense that relied heavily on shotgun formations and frequent pistol runs, a departure from the Rams’ schemes. It is unclear whether that shift reflected Robinson’s personal preferences or was a response to the limitations of quarterbacks like Michael Penix and Kirk Cousins.
What Mayfield will recognize is a high rate of pre-snap motion and a tendency toward condensed 11-personnel sets. The central question remains: what changes, if any, will Robinson implement to his offense? Mayfield has shown a willingness to adapt, making this the fifth different offensive system he will try since 2022.
The backup quarterback situation figures to generate little drama. Tampa Bay added veteran Jake Browning from the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason to serve behind Mayfield. While Browning is primarily a journeyman, he brings more quarterback experience to the room than anyone else on the roster besides Mayfield. The Buccaneers have not carried three quarterbacks on the active roster since Bruce Arians’ era, and that trend is unlikely to change in 2026. Connor Bazelak returns to contend for a practice squad spot against undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels. While Daniels’ physical tools and playing style mirror Mayfield’s, his inconsistency is likely to keep him from challenging for a main roster berth. In any case, the primary focus remains on Mayfield and his readiness to lead a revamped attack.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 2026 Bucs training camp preview: Quarterback for better SEO.