Assessing Buccaneers Roster Needs Post-Free Agency

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 28: General manager Jason Licht of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on during the first half against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images With the bulk of free agency firmly in the rearview mirror and the 2026 NFL Draft roughly 4 weeks away, it’s time to break out the trusty Bucs Nation thermostat to measure how needy the Buccaneers are, position by position. It’s been a significant off-season thus far for Tampa Bay, with a flurry of names of coming and (mostly) going as the coaching staff quite possibly faces its make-it-or-break-it season in a few months.

Is the roster in good enough shape to show substantial progress or, at the least, an acceptable plateau from recent seasons that have seen a great deal of oscillation between good and not-so-good? Let’s evaluate some Buccaneers roster needs and try to gather where the team might look to improve in the draft. Quarterback Roster: Baker Mayfield, Jake Browning, Connor Bazelak Temperature Check: Cold We might see a 180-degree turn on this one a year from now, but currently it’s a room that’s basically solidified already.

Baker Mayfield has tallied one good season, one great season, and one not-so-great season during his time with the Bucs — will he do enough to sway decision makers that he has more of the first two years in him than whatever 2026 was? It’s a pivotal question, as Mayfield has shown the chops to be an dynamic playmaker and passionate leader at his best, but also someone too confident and too stubborn at his worst. The latter traits led to poor decisions with the ball and, one could argue, several injuries that also affected his play.

At 31 years old with his build, this might be his last chance to prove he deserves a long-term payday in this league. Tampa signed Jake Browning to be Mayfield’s new backup after an uninspiring stint from Teddy Bridgewater last year. Browning has shown capability to drive the car aptly in limited stints, mostly in 2023 (7 starts, 12-7 TD:INT ratio), but in 2025 he was significantly worse (3 starts, 6-8 TD:INT ratio).