If there’s something the Bucs have discovered over their first 50 years of existence, it’s the truth that it’s onerous to play profitable soccer — and have sustained success — with out high-level quarterback play.
Doug Williams may’ve been that for Tampa Bay, however the group messed that up. Brad Johnson performed at a excessive sufficient degree to enhance probably the greatest defenses of all time en path to the Bucs’ first Tremendous Bowl, however he was extra of a employed gun than a franchise quarterback. The identical may even be mentioned for Tom Brady, who gave the franchise its first persistently elite quarterback and helped ship a second Lombardi Trophy to Tampa Bay.
After Brady’s retirement following the 2022 season, there was naturally going to be some trepidation about discovering his successor given the historical past the staff had on the quarterback place. However enter Baker Mayfield, who has established himself sufficient to actually be thought-about the Bucs’ franchise quarterback — and actually their first ever.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Picture by: IMAGN Photos – Nathan Ray Seebeck
All of that’s mentioned for example how essential good quarterback play is to having success on this league and the way onerous it may be to return by. Maybe simply as essential as getting good quarterback play your self is to have the ability to defend these you see on a week-to-week foundation over the course of the 17-game grind.
With that in thoughts, this is a chance to interrupt down the quarterbacks the Bucs will see on their 2026 schedule. The purpose right here is to interrupt these quarterbacks (and in some instances, quarterback conditions) into tiers for a little bit of a glimpse into the extent of QB play Tampa Bay’s protection should match up with — and the QBs Baker Mayfield and his offense should go toe-to-toe with — this fall.
Let’s get to it.
Quarterbacks On The Bucs’ 2026 Schedule: A Tier Record
Tier 1 — The Established Elites
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (Week 14), Rams QB Matthew Stafford (Week 17), Bengals QB Joe Burrow (Week 1)
This tier begins with Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, a two-time NFL MVP, three-time All-Professional and four-time Professional Bowler who has 22,608 passing yards and 187 passing touchdowns (to 56 interceptions) in his eight-year profession. Together with these passing numbers, he additionally has 6,522 dashing yards and 35 extra touchdowns on the bottom. The 29-year-old Jackson has been a top-three quarterback within the league 12 months in and 12 months out for some time now, with a Lombardi Trophy actually being the one achievement that has eluded him to this point.
Jackson’s profession file vs. Bucs: 3-0
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson – Picture by: USA In the present day
Additionally up within the tier with the elites is Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who simply gained his first NFL MVP at 37 years previous. Now 38, the previous Lion-turned-Ram continues to be doing every little thing at a excessive degree. He threw for a league-leading 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns final 12 months and operates Sean McVay’s offense flawlessly. The No. 1 general choose within the 2009 Draft has put collectively a Corridor of Fame-worthy profession and whereas he already has one Tremendous Bowl ring to his identify from the 2021 season, he and the Rams will likely be among the many favorites to win all of it once more this season.
Stafford’s profession file vs. Bucs: 5-3 (together with 1-0 in playoffs)
Rounding out this tier is Bengals signal-caller Joe Burrow, who has solely been stopped by accidents — not defenses — throughout his profession. The highest select of LSU in 2020 is a three-time Professional Bowler and two-time Comeback Participant of the Yr. When wholesome, he’s one of many league’s finest. He’s had the advantage of throwing to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, however he’s additionally been saddled with a bel0w-average offensive line and a horrific protection for many of his profession. He bought Cincinnati to the Tremendous Bowl in his second season, and whereas organizational failures have prevented a return, that hasn’t been the fault of Burrow and his 20,810 yards, 157 touchdowns and 68.5% completion proportion.
Burrow’s profession file vs. Bucs: 1-0
Tier 2 — The Elite Processors + Jordan Love
Chargers QB Justin Herbert (Week 13), Lions QB Jared Goff (Week 11), Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (Week 5), Packers QB Jordan Love (Week 4)
This tier’s label sounds imply, however I promise it’s not alleged to be. The primary three are really elite processors, whereas Love is extra of a gunslinger who excels as that sort of participant. He’s firmly in Tier 2 because of this.
Chargers QB Justin Herbert – Picture by: USA In the present day
Anyway, this tier begins with Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. There’s a really actual argument that he may very well be in Tier 1, and beneath new Los Angeles offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, he’s possible there by the top of the 12 months when you don’t have him there already. One other 2020 draft choose, Herbert is a two-time Professional Bowler who has elite quarterback traits and an unimaginable soccer IQ. He processes what he’s seeing so nicely, and really incessantly hits that prime degree. However doing so extra persistently and — truthful or not — getting it accomplished within the playoffs will erase any doubt about his standing among the many league’s finest.
Herbert’s profession file vs. Bucs: 0-2
Lions quarterback Jared Goff has reached new heights during the last 4 seasons. He was a Professional Bowler in 2017 and 2018 with the Rams, however when he plateaued in 2019 and 2020, it appeared like he had hit his ceiling within the NFL. Los Angeles finally traded him and a few picks to Detroit for Matthew Stafford, and Goff was fairly OK in 2021 earlier than taking off in 2022 with 29 touchdowns to seven interceptions. He has gone 30 and 12, 37 and 12 and 34 and eight since. Goff operates the Detroit offense so nicely and has earned his place close to the highest of the league’s quarterbacks.
Goff’s profession file vs. Bucs: 4-2 (together with 1-0 in playoffs)
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is presented relating to pre-snap recognition, and that’s a part of what makes him so environment friendly. He is aware of the place he’s going with the soccer, and regardless of an inclination to drive it typically, he’s put up spectacular landing manufacturing whereas conserving turnovers low outdoors of 2022 (23 touchdowns to fifteen interceptions). He threw for 36 to 9 in 2023 and 30 to 10 final 12 months. Dallas is 83-55-1 in his begins, and whereas he hasn’t gone deeper than the Divisional Spherical, he’s nonetheless among the many NFL’s finest.
Prescott’s profession file vs. Bucs: 3-2 (together with 1-0 in playoffs)
Bucs DT Vita Vea – Picture by: USA In the present day
Jordan Love, the Packers’ first-round choose in 2020, rounds out this tier. He has proven flashes of elite play. Simply look at the beginning he bought out to final 12 months with 13 touchdowns to only two interceptions from Weeks 1-8. Or take a look at any of his late-season runs throughout Toyotathon. However consistency has eluded him. Take the stretch from Weeks 9-12 final 12 months the place he had simply two touchdowns to 1 interception as Inexperienced Bay went 2-2. He’s solely getting into his fourth season as a full-time starter in 2026, and he solely turns 28 in November. The indicators are there, however consistency is the important thing for Love to achieve the very best degree.
Love’s profession file vs. Bucs: 0-1
Tier 3 — The Younger Weapons
Bears QB Caleb Williams (Week 9), Saints QB Tyler Shough (Weeks 15, 18)
Many had been fast to dunk on the Bears in 2024 when No. 2 choose Jayden Daniels and No. 3 choose Drake Maye outshined their prime choose, Caleb Williams, as rookies. However beneath new head coach Ben Johnson in 2025, Williams lived as much as the hype after which some. He simply missed a 4,000-yard passing season and threw for 27 touchdowns to seven interceptions as Chicago gained the NFC North and simply barely missed out on the NFC Championship Sport. Consistency and sustained success will get Williams as much as the following tier, and one other 12 months with Johnson will assist. He’s solely 24 and has two full NFL seasons beneath his belt. The arrow is pointing up.
Williams’ profession file vs. Bucs: 0-0
Bears QB Caleb Williams – Picture by: IMAGN Photos – Mark Hoffman
Saints quarterback Tyler Shough did sufficient in simply 9 begins as a rookie to get himself up into this tier. What a run it was for the shock second-round select of Louisville, as he led New Orleans to a 5-4 file down the stretch and threw for 10 touchdowns to 6 interceptions. He added 186 yards and three scores on the bottom, too. It wasn’t at all times fairly for Shough, however he got here by way of when the Saints wanted him. The pattern dimension continues to be small, so 2026 will inform the world lots about whether or not the Saints really have their subsequent franchise man.
Shough’s profession file vs. Bucs: 1-0
Tier 4 — The Level Guards
Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers (Week 6), Panthers QB Bryce Younger (Weeks 7, 12)
It feels improper to have Aaron Rodgers down this far, however that’s the truth of who Rodgers is at 42 years previous. He simply re-signed with the Steelers this previous weekend, and at this stage of his profession, he’s nonetheless going to be an environment friendly level guard who distributes the ball nicely whereas additionally displaying the occasional brilliance that has him set as much as be a Corridor of Famer. He threw for 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions as a Jet in 2024 and 24 touchdowns to seven picks as a Steeler a 12 months in the past. He’s nonetheless a great quarterback. That’s clear. However he’s not going to be the identical man he was from 2008-2022.
Rodgers’ profession file vs. Bucs: 3-3 (together with 0-1 in playoffs)
Bucs DT Calijah Kancey and Panthers QB Bryce Younger – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Panthers followers and Bryce Younger defenders are more likely to take exception to their man being on this tier relatively than up within the “Young Guns” tier. However thus far, Younger has been extra level guard than high-level quarterback. After 11 touchdowns to 10 interceptions as a rookie and 15 touchdowns to 9 picks in 2024, the previous No. 1 general choose hit a brand new degree beneath Dave Canales in 2025, serving to Carolina to the NFC South title whereas throwing for 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. It was a greater 12 months for Younger, and there’s some intrigue to what he’ll do beneath first-time play-caller Brad Idzik in 2026, particularly if Idzik opens it up.
Younger’s profession file vs. Bucs: 1-5
Tier 5 — The Excessive Variance Crew
Vikings QBs Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy (Week 3), Falcons QBs Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. (Weeks 8, 16), Browns QBs Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson and others (Week 2)
Every of those quarterbacks has quite a lot of variance inside their video games, which makes for even greater variance for these groups and their quarterback conditions heading into 2026.
The Vikings let Sam Darnold stroll forward of the 2025 season, and he walked proper to Seattle and helped the Seahawks to a Tremendous Bowl. In the meantime, 2024 first-round choose J.J. McCarthy bounced between promising, the harm tent and meme-worthy. “9” accomplished simply 57.6% of his passes for 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions over 10 begins. He was 6-4 as a starter, however that gained’t have anybody in Minnesota feeling any higher about Darnold occurring to hoist a Lombardi Trophy one season after main the Vikings to 13 wins.
This offseason, the Vikings signed Kyler Murray after he was launched by the Cardinals. The previous No. 1 choose is in search of a profession resurgence beneath Kevin O’Connell. He accomplished 67.1% of his passes for 20,460 yards and 121 touchdowns to 60 interceptions in Arizona whereas dashing for 3,193 yards and 32 touchdowns. He’s solely a 12 months faraway from 3,851 passing yards, 21 landing to 11 interceptions, 572 dashing yards and 5 dashing scores. However after a foot harm halted his 2025 season and he was benched finally shut down, the Cardinals determined to maneuver on. Murray can nonetheless play, however what Minnesota decides to do after a quarterback competitors between McCarthy and Murray stays to be seen.
McCarthy’s profession file vs. Bucs: 0-0Murray’s profession file vs. Bucs: 0-1
Bucs OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad – Picture by: IMAGN Photos – Junfu Han
In Atlanta, the scenario is worse. Michael Penix Jr. confirmed promise when he took over for Kirk Cousins late in 2024. He was briefly benched early in 2025 however finally spent 9 video games because the Falcons’ starter, going 3-6 earlier than tearing his ACL in November. He tore his proper ACL twice in school and has now torn his left. The 2024 first-round choose is 26 years previous and has three ACL tears beneath his belt, so his long-term viability because the man in Atlanta is murky.
For insurance coverage, the Falcons went out and signed former Dolphins first-round choose Tua Tagovailoa this offseason. Tagovailoa has his personal prolonged harm historical past, notably with concussions, however now turns into an choice to both again up Penix or begin whereas he recovers and returns to the sector. The previous Alabama quarterback has a 4,600-yard passing season to his identify within the NFL, however he hit a wall in Miami and the staff determined to maneuver on. The 20 touchdown-to-15-interception season he had a 12 months in the past was ugly, however possibly he’s a candidate for a profession resurgence?
Penix’s profession file vs. Bucs: 0-1Tagovailoa’s profession file vs. Bucs: 0-0
Giants OLB Brian Burns and Browns QB Deshaun Watson – Picture by: USA In the present day
As unhealthy as it’s for the Falcons, it’s (predictably) even worse for the Cleveland Browns. Shedeur Sanders completed 2025 as their beginning quarterback and threw for seven touchdowns to 10 interceptions whereas going 3-4 because the starter. He was one way or the other rewarded with a Professional Bowl choice as a alternative after nearly each different quarterback turned down the chance. The 2025 fifth-round choose could not even be the starter to start 2026, although.
Why? As a result of the Browns are nonetheless attempting to get any sort of return on their $230 million funding in Deshaun Watson. He’s been a catastrophe in Cleveland. After serving an 11-game suspension in 2022 to start out his Cleveland profession, he returned to motion for the primary time in 700 days and wasn’t the identical man he was early in his profession with the Texans. He wasn’t significantly better in 2023, then had season-ending shoulder surgical procedure. Since then, he tore his Achilles in 2024 after which re-ruptured it in 2025. Regardless of all that, he’s in competition to start out for the Browns beneath new head coach Todd Monken.
Dillon Gabriel, who went 1-5 as a rookie starter for the Browns earlier than Sanders took over final season, continues to be round as nicely. Cleveland additionally drafted Arkansas quarterback Taylen Inexperienced within the sixth spherical of the 2026 Draft.
Sanders’ profession file vs. Bucs: 0-0Watson’s profession file vs. Bucs: 1-0Gabriel’s profession file vs. Bucs: 0-0Green’s profession file vs. Bucs: 0-0
