Writing The Ship: The Buccaneers Are Scouting Quarterbacks

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered another disappointing loss on Sunday. This was in large part due to quarterback Baker Mayfield, throwing more touchdowns to the defense then he did his own offense. This is one game of a disturbing pattern over the last year where Mayfield has struggled week in and week out.

The Bucs now drop to 3-6 on the season. This despite having a strong defense and running game. All that’s missing is the passing attack.

Mayfield signed a contract extension for $55 million per year over the course of two years following this season. However, with the level of play he has shown us it should come as a surprise to no one to learn that the Bucs are scouting future quarterbacks. That indeed seems to be the case.

Buccaneers Scouting QBs

On Saturday it was reported that the Buccaneers had Scouts in attendance for the Miami Hurricanes vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish game. This is a matchup that featured two potential first round quarterbacks in the NFL draft. Coincidence? I think not.

Of course, there are many other prospects the Bucs could’ve been watching in this game. There are linebackers, safeties and pass rushers who could all realistically be in play for the Bucs in the upcoming NFL draft. However, the headliners in this game are Miami quarterback Darien Mensah and Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr.

This comes just two weeks after Bucs scouts were reportedly at the Ole Miss vs Texas game. This was another matchup that featured a pair of potential first round quarterbacks in Trinidad Chambliss and Arch Manning.

Of course there were again other big time prospects they could have been looking at. I particularly like Ole Miss defensive tackle Will Echoles as a fit in Tampa. The Bucs being at another premier quarterback prospect showdown could just be another coincidence….but I doubt it.

However, it was the game between these two weeks that really convinced me that the Buccaneers are scouting for their franchise quarterback. Last week it was reported that Bucs scouts were in attendance for the Missouri vs Arkansas game. Unlike the other two games I mentioned, this one was not loaded with NFL prospects.

The one really big name in that game was Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons. There are some draft analysts who believe he is the best quarterback who could potentially enter this year’s draft. If you’re a team seriously considering quarterback options then he’s a must see prospect.

Of course there were some other prospects in this game who could be drafted in the top 100 that were worth watching. I don’t know if those players would be worth the trip to see in person though. And attending three consecutive weeks of games with potential first round quarterbacks can’t be a coincidence, can it?

I wouldn’t think so. Heaven forbid the Bucs are in attendance to watch South Carolina or Oklahoma State next week; two more schools with potential first round quarterbacks. If that happens then we can essentially call Mayfield’s days numbered as the Bucs quarterback.