Okay, so here’s the wild card coming out of the NFL world: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are already getting linked to five potential Baker Mayfield replacements for the 2026 season. Yeah, you read that right. Even with hopes high for Mayfield to light it up without Mike Evans this year and put that offseason contract drama behind them, ESPN’s Dan Graziano dropped a “long-shot” prediction that has the league buzzing, suggesting a scenario where the Bucs and Baker just agree to part ways after another middling or down year.
The Superstar What-Ifs: Hurts and Murray on the Radar
And honestly, the names on Graziano’s list? They’re insane. The one that’s gonna make you drop your coffee is Jalen Hurts. We’re talking about a Super Bowl champion quarterback here! The Philadelphia Eagles aren’t exactly lining up to trade him, not by a long shot. But the prediction says if Hurts and the Eagles struggle again in 2026, Philly might look to shake things up. Imagine Hurts in a Bucs uniform! That would be captivating, hands down the most interesting option on the whole list.
Then there’s Kyler Murray, who’s with the Minnesota Vikings right now. He’s a dual-threat guy, and the thought of him hitting free agency and landing with the Bucs, even if he balls out for Minnesota this year, is wild. He’d cost a fortune, sure, but a dual-threat like that? That’s just plain fun to watch on any roster.
The Other QBs: Polarizing and Practical Options
But Graziano didn’t stop there. He also threw out some other names that show different directions the Bucs could go. There’s Michael Penix Jr. if the Falcons decide they’re done with him. This one’s polarizing, man. Penix doesn’t have that dual-threat ability like Murray or Hurts, and he hasn’t shown a prior winning streak. He’d cost more than other backups, but his upside showcased with the Atlanta Falcons hasn’t exactly been “encouraging,” which makes you scratch your head a bit.
Then you got the career backup guys: Tyson Bagent and Tanner McKee. These two would be cheap, one-year rentals. Basically, bridge QBs if the Buccaneers want to tank in 2027 and grab a rookie. Not exactly inspiring stuff, but it’s a realistic option if things truly go south and they want to reset completely.
So, while this whole scenario is pegged as a “long-shot,” it’s out there. The Buccaneers are hoping Baker thrives this year, but this prediction makes you wonder. Could a rough 2026 season really shake things up that dramatically in Tampa? We’ll have to keep an eye on how Mayfield and the Bucs offense perform this season, because if it’s not working, Graziano’s “what if” list might not seem so long-shot after all.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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