Bucs Backup Makes An All-Undrafted Team

Jake Browning’s NFL Accolades Prior To Joining The Bucs

Jake Browning was originally an undrafted free agent in 2019, but he didn’t get his first playing time in 2023 for the Bengals after starter Joe Burrow went down with injury. Playing nine games and starting seven, Browning led Cincinnati to a 4-3 record while leading the NFL in completion percentage (70.3%), throwing for 1,936 yards and 12 touchdowns to just seven interceptions.

He was pressed into service once again in 2025 after another Burrow injury. This time Browning’s play and fortunes were not nearly as positive. The Bengals went 0-3, as Browning completed just 64.8% of his passes while his yards per attempt fell 23% from his 2023 mark. His touchdown-to-interception ratio also dipped into the negative.

That prompted the Bengals to trade for Joe Flacco and let Browning find a home elsewhere in 2026. He now finds himself in Tampa Bay backing up Baker Mayfield, who has missed exactly 20 dropbacks in three years with the Buccaneers.

Browning profiles well for the Bucs’ projected offense in 2026. Under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson there should be plenty of under center play action, which is where Browning excels. It was that part of his game that helped him play at his best for Zack Taylor in Cincinnati.

Taylor was able to run his true offensive vision with Browning at the helm as opposed to Burrow who worked as the power center when he was healthy and preferred to run a shotgun-heavy offense where he rarely turned his back to the defense.

Based on recent performance, Browning is the best backup in Tampa Bay since Blaine Gabbert graced the sidelines with his golden hair and glorious mustache. The Buccaneers had long-time veteran Teddy Bridgewater as Mayfield’s backup last year, but that didn’t work out well and both the team and the quarterback decided to part ways this offseason.

Connor Bazelak, an undrafted free agent, beat out Kyle Trask, a former second-round pick, for the QB3 job and spent last year on the practice squad. This year, Bazelak will battle undrafted free agent QB Jalon Daniels out of Kansas for the right to be the third-string quarterback in Tampa Bay.

The hope is, of course, that the Buccaneers never have to see Browning on the field unless they are up multiple scores. But if he is pressed into service, Tampa Bay believes he can right the ship long enough for Mayfield to get back to action.