Bucs fans may not want to hear this, but they at least have to consider what their favorite could look like without Baker Mayfield as their quarterback.

Negotiations are ongoing between the Bucs and Mayfield, though neither side is close just yet. Each day that goes by means we’re getting closer to Mayfield hitting free agency, which opens up the bidding process involving other teams.

There have been reports of other teams having interest in the quarterbacked who saw a career resurgence last season, so Mayfield will have his options. The question that needs to be asked – that no one in Tampa wants to say outloud – is what do the Bucs do at quarterback if Mayfield signs somewhere else in free agency?

We’re all well aware that backup Kyle Trask is a possibility. The former second-round pick is entering the final year of his contract and couldn’t win the starting job over Mayfield last season.

The Bucs could draft a quarterback in April, which is what PewterReport’s Scott Reynolds highlighted in a recent article on PewterReport.com when discussing the four quarterbacks that the Bucs had a formal meeting with at the NFL Scouting Combine last week and the other signal caller that the team met with informally.

Veteran QB Options For Bucs

There is one more route the Bucs could go if they had to find a replacement for Baker Mayfield, and that’s signing a veteran free agent. Tampa Bay would hope lightning could strike twice by finding a quarterback that can have the amount of success that Mayfield did last year.

On Wednesday’s Pewter Report Podcast, we listed the Top 10 quarterbacks available in free agency while focusing on a couple of different of different options.

For example, the odds are low that the Bucs would pursue veteran Kirk Cousins, who turns 36 this year and is coming off a torn Achilles tendon, so we didn’t talk about him much. However, there were a couple of other quarterbacks that we did spend more time on, which we’ll talk about next.

You can watch the video below for that portion of the Pewter Report Podcast:

The biggest name that comes to mind is Russell Wilson, who was just released by the Denver Broncos. For the Bucs, they would have to decide if they feel their roster is just a veteran quarterback away from continuing to be a playoff contender. If so, then there is some appeal with Wilson due to his experience. And he would come on the cheap, as the Broncos will still paying him a lot of money this season.

Colts QB Gardner Minshew – Photo by: USA Today

Wilson’s downside is that his play is declining and has a reputation for having an attitude that hasn’t been well received by his former teammates in Seattle or in Denver. Maybe his release by Denver humbles Wilson a bit and he tries to get his career back on track with what is likely his last opportunity to do so as a starter.

It doesn’t hurt to have Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to throw to, as they can make any quarterback look good. Also keep in mind that Wilson is 35 and not every quarterback ages gracefully. Would the Bucs be getting an ageless wonder like Tom Brady again, or how Brett Favre played in his first year with the Vikings late in his 30s? Or would it be more like when Philip Rivers and Matt Ryan played for the Colts?

If age is an issue for Wilson, than it’s the same problem for almost every quarterback in free agency except for two. Gardner Minshew is the first that comes to mind. He has a propensity to sling the rock and has started several games in his career for the Jaguars and Colts.

Minshew started 13 games for Indianapolis last season, throwing for 3,305 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions while posting a 7-6 record. Minshew will be 28 in May, which makes him the youngest available quarterback with starting experience.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield Photo by: USA Today

The other younger quarterback option compared to players like Wilson and Joe Flacco is Jameis Winston, who turned 30 in January. Winston’s history with the Bucs is well documented, and he’s likely not an option. But the sheer entertainment value of Winston returning to Tampa Bay would be off the charts.

Another quarterback I wouldn’t mind seeing the Bucs kick the quarterback tires on is Tyrod Taylor. He’s a journeyman quarterback that has been in the league for 13 seasons and has played for the Ravens, Bills, Browns, Chargers, Texans and Giants. Taylor certainly isn’t going to be a franchise quarterback for the Bucs, but as a stop-gap quarterback he’s a possibility. Taylor made a Pro Bowl in 2015 and has started 58 career games with an even record of 28-28-1.

Because Taylor has thrown 65 touchdowns and just 29 interceptions, he isn’t a turnover machine. He has always had the ability to run the ball, evidenced by 2,268 rushing yards and 19 career touchdowns. Taylor would at least give the Bucs a functional offense with him under center.

Another Bucs’ QB Competition If Baker Mayfield Leaves?

Ideally, heading into this year’s training camp the Bucs would have a trio of Kyle Trask, a new rookie quarterback and a new veteran that was just mentioned all in competition to win the starting job if Baker Mayfield were to leave Tampa Bay and sign elsewhere in free agency.

This isn’t exactly what Tampa Bay wants, but it’s the situation the team could find itself in if Mayfield and the Bucs can’t agree to terms. Chances are that Mayfield re-signs, but the Bucs need a backup plan in case the scenario doesn’t play out in their favor.

Catch the whole episode of the Pewter Report Podcast – energized by CELSIUS – where we talk about Mayfield’s free agency.