Updated 3/4/2014
Ahh football season, there’s always something going on even if it’s during the off-season. Mike Evans recently announced he’ll be staying with the Buccaneers for a couple more seasons. But what does that mean for Baker Mayfield? We thought with all the changes to the team, it’s a great time to deep dive into the rankings of Buccaneers QBs.
The Buccaneers finished the 2023 season as the NFC South champions with a 9-8 record. They beat the Philadelphia Eagles during the Wild Card round but couldn’t keep the playoff hopes alive against the Detroit Lions.
Who made the list?
To make the rankings of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers QBs, we looked at the overall career stats of the players and their stats while they were playing for the Bucs. Obviously, there are some superstars on the list and a couple of duds. Buccaneers QBs include Super Bowl champions Tom Brady and Trent Dilfer, as well as Doug Williams, Brad Johnson, and others. The Buccaneers have had 39 different quarterbacks since their inaugural season in 1976. So there will be some names missing from this list. We didn’t want to include any QB’s that played less than half the season. So yes, we know Josh Johnson, Byron Leftwich, Luke McCown and a few more are missing from this list. We’ll just be focusing on the starters/big names for this post. We got our inspiration from ThePewterPlank.com. Check out their full list of rankings.
Who was your favorite Buccaneers QB? We think with certainty no one will say Jameis Winston. It’s been a pleasure watching him throw interception after interception in the 4th quarter now that he’s NOT playing for the Bucs. Don’t agree with our rankings? Let us know how you would rank Tampa’s QBs on social media.
Ranking Tampa Bay Buccaneers QBs From Best To Worst
Tom Brady
Obviously we have to put the GOAT as our number 1 pick for best QB’s in Tampa. Tom brought home a Super Bowl championship to Tampa and added to his impressive ring collection. He was 5-2 in the playoffs, Super Bowl MVP and Pro Bowler. Kind of a no-brainer.
TAMPA, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 07: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs 31-9. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Brad Johnson
It only makes sense that our other Super Bowl winning QB gets the #2 spot on the list. Brad was also a 2002 Pro Bowler. During his 4 years in Tampa he had a 26-23 record and had 64 TD.
Trent Dilfer
Trent Dilfer was our starting BQ before the Brad Johnson era. He was one of the reasons the Bucs we’re somewhat fun to watch during the 1996-1999 seasons. He played for 6 years in Tampa and had a 38-38 record with 70 TD.
Trent Dilfer #12, Quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers calls the play on the line of scrimmage during the National Football Conference West Division game against the San Diego Chargers on 17th November 1996 at the Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California, United States. The Buccaneers won the game 25 – 17. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Allsport/Getty Images)
Baker Mayfield
After a full season as the Buccaneers starting QB, we thought a fair ranking of Baker would be in the 4th spot. Mayfield ranked among league-leaders in passing touchdowns (7th), passing yards (9th), completions (10th) and passer rating (12th). He became the second player in Buccaneers history to throw for 4,000+ yards, 25-or-more touchdowns and 10-or-fewer interceptions in a single season, joining Tom Brady. As of March 2024 there is still no word on Baker’s next move or current contract. Let’s wait and let him Bake…
Shaun King
Shaun King played on the Buccaneers from 1999-2003. His record was 14-8 with 24 TDs, and 18 INTs. King had a reputation of being good enough to not get in the way of a solid game performance, but not good enough for a deep playoff run.
3 Sep 2000: Quarterback Shaun King #10 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to pass the ball during the game against the New England Patriots at the Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Buccaneers defeated the Patriots 21-16.Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire /Allsport
Doug Williams
Doug Williams spend most of his career in Tampa where he played 67 games and 73 TD. Williams took the team to the playoffs three times in five seasons. Although he never won a Super Bowl in Tampa, he did go on to win SB XXII and earned MVP with the Washington Redskins.
Steve Young
If we could go back in time, we would’ve liked a couple more seasons with Steve Young. Although his time in Tampa was short and he never got the Bucs to the playoffs, he did go on to win two league MVPs and a Super Bowl ring with the 49ers.
Steve Young #8, Quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers feeds the ball to Running Back #32 James Wilder during the American Football Conference West game against the Los Angeles Rams on 5 October 1986 at the Anaheim Stadium, Los Angeles, California, United States. The Rams won the game 26 – 20. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Allsport/Getty Images)
Vinny Testaverde
Picked first overall in the 1987 NFL Draft, Vinny Testaverde had high expectations in Tampa. Even though he never made it to a Super Bowl with the team, he still holds several franchise records.
22 Oct 1989: Quarterback Vinny Testaverde of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to pass the ball during a game against the Washington Redskins at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Redskins won the game, 32-28. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport
Josh Freeman
Many Bucs fans may remember the dark ages of the Josh Freeman era. His record was 24-35 with 80 TDs and 66 INT. The whole team was struggling during these years and Freeman wasn’t much help. He was eventually released in the middle of his fifth season.
Jameis Winston
We may get some heat for this one. But we think Jameis Winston is one of the worst QBs in Bucs’ history. Even though he had a very successful college career at FSU, in his 5 years with the team he had a 28-42 record with 88 INT. Often blowing the lead in the 4th quarter. Both his first and last throws with the team were pick six’s. All definitely not worth a number 1 round draft pick. And let us not forget about the crab legs incident.
Steve Spurrier
The first round draft pick from UF, Steve Spurrier became the first starting quarterback in Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ history. Although his professional career did not live up to the hype, he still became a very successful coach.
2 Dec 2000: Head coach Steve Spurrier of the Florida Gators is carried off the field by players following the Gators” 28-6 victory over Auburn to win the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire/ALLSPORT
