The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a quarterback problem brewing behind Baker Mayfield, and the 2027 NFL Draft may not be the place to solve it.

Mayfield’s aggressive play style, willingness to take risks, and lack of consistent availability make the backup quarterback position one of the more pressing roster concerns in Tampa Bay heading into next offseason. It could be a bigger issue than most people realize.

Backup quarterback Jalon Daniels has provided a fun story, and his preseason performance was enough to earn the No. 2 job after a competition with former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning. There is no question that Daniels did some great things during that stretch.

The fact remains, however, that his presence as the best available option reveals a lack of preparedness at the position.

Why Tampa Bay should target free agency or a trade

The Buccaneers need to pursue the bigger-name free agent they can find at the position, at least in the backup quarterback variety. The circumstances they currently live in demand a proven veteran rather than a developmental prospect. Signing a reliable backup or even trading for one should be at the top of the priority list.

If a team around the league has a young former first-round quarterback who has not performed well sitting as a backup or third-stringer, Tampa Bay should explore making a move for that player. The goal is finding someone who can step in and start games at a competent level if Mayfield goes down.

Why the draft is the wrong approach

Some might suggest using a draft pick on a toolsy young quarterback to develop behind Mayfield. That approach may not work here.

If a team drafts a quarterback earlyish, the intention is typically for that player to eventually start. Any quarterback available on Day Three of the draft might profile as a long-term backup, but those players are usually the furthest from being ready to contribute.

Unless a team feels truly vindicated that a prospect could be a Gardner Minshew type who can contribute immediately, investing a high pick on a developmental quarterback behind Mayfield makes little sense. If Tampa Bay did select one in the draft, it would not make sense until the 5th or 6th round, because that player is not going to be able to step up and win games right away.

The Baker Mayfield problem

Mayfield’s combination of traits makes this the worst possible scenario for a team without a reliable backup. He plays with an edge, he is ballsy, and he puts his body on the line. That leads to him getting hurt frequently. It is a disastrous situation when the next man up is not ready to start.

Tampa Bay needs a Mac Jones (or slightly below) quality backup. They need someone who can start for them and keep the team competitive. The Buccaneers cannot afford to throw a raw, developmental quarterback into live action and hope for the best. That is not a world they can live in given Mayfield’s track record of availability issues.

The Buccaneers were already looking

It is worth noting that the Buccaneers were already sniffing around for veteran quarterbacks this past offseason.

Although they like Daniels and he earned the backup job, there is some unrest about the long-term viability of that option behind Mayfield. The organization clearly understands the concern exists.

Whether that means pursuing a veteran free agent or making a trade, Tampa Bay has to address this position with urgency. The 2027 offseason presents an opportunity to get it right. Waiting on a draft pick to develop is a luxury the Buccaneers simply do not have.