Very soon, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have to reduce their roster to 53 players and form a quarterback depth chart for the start of the regular season, but on Wednesday they made a move to indicate long-term interest in third-year passer Ryan Griffin.
The Buccaneers have signed Griffin to a one-year contract extension which covers the 2018 season. Griffin was heading into the 2017 season on a one-year deal that was the result of agreeing to the qualifying offer he received in March as a restricted free agent.
Griffin spent the past two seasons on Tampa Bay's active roster as a third quarterback behind Jameis Winston and Mike Glennon. His long tenure on the roster, when some teams only keep two quarterbacks in the regular season, was an indication that the team considered him a potential replacement as Winston's primary backup after Glennon's expected departure. The Buccaneers also signed veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick in the spring, creating a battle for that number-two job between him and Griffin.
Unfortunately for Griffin, his participation in that competition has been interrupted by an injury to his right (throwing) shoulder suffered in the second preseason game at Jacksonville. He has not practiced or played since and will not suit up on Thursday night in the preseason finale. The Buccaneers must reduce their roster to 53 players after Thursday's game and before Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
