Buccaneers Quarterback Jake Browning Earns Preseason Praise From PFF

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have found a dependable backup quarterback in Jake Browning.

Pro Football Focus recently identified Browning as the NFL’s top undrafted free-agent quarterback. While that distinction may not generate much excitement, it highlights Browning’s experience and production when given meaningful opportunities.

Browning Stands Out Among Undrafted Quarterbacks

PFF’s Daire Carragher explained why Browning stood above the other undrafted quarterbacks evaluated.

“Only 10 undrafted quarterbacks have recorded at least 100 dropbacks over the past three seasons,” Carragher wrote.

Browning has accumulated 448 dropbacks during that span. His 66.7 PFF passing grade ranks first among that group, giving Tampa Bay a backup with considerably more NFL experience than most quarterbacks in his position.

Browning Has Proven He Can Play

Browning’s recent experience came with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he spent three seasons backing up Joe Burrow. He also showed he could handle an expanded role when injuries forced him into the starting lineup.

In 2023, Browning started seven games and helped Cincinnati win four of them. He completed 70.4 percent of his passes that season, leading the NFL in completion percentage.

NFL Research provided even more impressive numbers from Browning’s seven starts. He posted a 71.5 percent completion rate, 266.9 passing yards per game, 8.2 yards per attempt and a 99.1 passer rating.

Those numbers don’t make Browning a proven long-term starter, but they do demonstrate that he has experience producing when called upon. Across his three seasons with Cincinnati, Browning went 4-6 as a starter.

Tampa Bay Needed a Proven Backup

The Buccaneers did not make quarterback a major priority during the 2026 NFL Draft. That made finding an experienced veteran particularly important for a team with Baker Mayfield firmly established as its starter.

Browning arrived in free agency on a one-year contract after spending the previous three seasons behind Burrow. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the move on March 11.

“Free agent QB Jake Browning plans to sign with the Tampa Bay Bucs on a one-year deal, per source,” Fowler wrote. “From backing up Joe Burrow to Baker Mayfield.”

The signing was not viewed as one of Tampa Bay’s splashiest moves. However, it addressed an important need behind Mayfield with a quarterback who has already experienced significant NFL action.

Tampa Bay Times NFL reporter Rick Stroud summed up the move simply.

“Bucs plan to sign QB Jake Browning to a one year deal,” Stroud wrote. “Baker Mayfield has his backup.”

PFF’s Praise Is Worth Watching

PFF’s evaluation does come with an important caveat. Carragher noted that the difference between Browning and Baltimore Ravens backup Tyler Huntley was small enough that either player could have been selected.

Still, Browning leading the group in PFF passing grade and dropbacks is meaningful. He has already demonstrated that he can step into an NFL offense and perform under difficult circumstances.

For the Buccaneers, that experience could prove valuable. If Mayfield remains healthy, Browning may rarely see the field, but Tampa Bay now has a backup who has already shown he can handle NFL starts.

That makes PFF’s preseason recognition more than just a minor accolade. It provides another reason for Buccaneers fans to feel comfortable about the quarterback room entering the 2026 season.

Shout out to heavy.com’s Tony Adame for quotes and concept.