After finishing 7-9 in 2019, Bruce Arians' first season as head coach, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers believed they had the makings, in some ways, of a roster that could compete for championships in the years ahead. They also had some uncertainty at the most important position on that roster, as quarterback Jameis Winston was coming off a season in which he threw 33 touchdown passes and 30 interceptions.
The Buccaneers contemplated their choices and came up with three possible paths forward at quarterback. Option 1: Sign Winston, who had just played the final year on his rookie contract, to a new multi-year deal and try to get more good and less bad out of his play. Option 2: Sign Teddy Bridgewater, who went 5-0 in five starts in place of the Saints' Drew Brees in 2019. Option 3: Swing for the fences and try to lure the G.O.A.T, Tom Brady, to Tampa.
The Buccaneers certainly thought they could succeed with Bridgewater, but when Brady chose Tampa they couldn't pass on that opportunity. The results are legendary – Brady led the Bucs to victory in Super Bowl LV at the end of his first season, adding a seventh championship ring to his personal collection, and threw for 14,643 yards and 108 touchdowns between the ages of 43-45.
Turns out the Bucs had been interested in the former Louisville star for quite some time. In General Manager Jason Licht's first season running the Bucs' draft, in 2014, the Minnesota Vikings selected Bridgewater with the last pick of the first round, but Licht had him in for a pre-draft visit and was contemplating selecting him at some point. Now, 11 years after that draft and five years after considering him as a starting option for an eventual championshp team, the Buccaneers have finally united with Bridgewater. The 12th-year veteran signed a one-year deal with Tampa Bay on Tuesday.
"We had him in here in 2014 for the draft…there might have been a situation where we would have taken him if he fell a little further," said Licht. "A few years ago, he was what was behind Door Number Two. We talked about that today on the sideline. We ended up with Tom Brady, but now we have Teddy on the roster. You can't have everything…well, you can have everything, just not all at once [laughs]."
View photos of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practicing during 2025 Training Camp on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at AdventHealth Training Center.
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Senior Offensive Assistant Tom Moore of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Elijah Roberts #95 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Elijah Roberts #95 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Linebacker Deion Jones #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Tight End Devin Culp #82, Tight End Tanner Taula #84, Tight Ends Coach Justin Peelle, and Tight End Payne Durham #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Assistant Tight Ends Coach Jeff Kastl of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Chris Braswell #43 and Outside Linebacker Jose Ramirez #33 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Running Back Bucky Irving #7 and Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Offensive Lineman Lorenz Metz #71 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 and Safeties Coach Nick Rapone of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Safety Mike Edwards #21 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive line during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Quarterback Kyle Trask #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Markees Watts #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Tight End Payne Durham #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Guard Ben Bredeson #68 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Guard Cody Mauch #69 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Offensive Tackle Charlie Heck #77 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Quarterback Kyle Trask #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Defensive Lineman C.J. Brewer #52 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Haason Reddick #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Run Game Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Coach Larry Foote of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Nadine Nurasyid, Defensive Assistant Coach for the Stuttgart Surge, during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Haason Reddick #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0, Outside Linebacker Anthony Nelson #98, Outside Linebacker Chris Braswell #43, and Outside Linebacker Markees Watts #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Linebacker John Bullock #57 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Inside Linebacker SirVocea Dennis #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Inside Linebacker SirVocea Dennis #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #9 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Run Game Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Coach Larry Foote of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Chris Braswell #43 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Football during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Center Graham Barton #62 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Defensive Tackle Desmond Watson #56 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Special Teams Coordinator Thomas McGaughey of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Gatorade can during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Quarterback Connor Bazelak #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Quarterback Kyle Trask #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 and Running Backs Coach Skip Peete of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 and Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #9 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Long Snapper Evan Deckers #86, Kicker Chase McLaughlin #4, Punter Jake Julien #16, Punter Riley Dixon #92, and Kicker Ryan Coe #39 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Hat during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Kicker Chase McLaughlin #4 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Kicker Chase McLaughlin #4 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Punter Riley Dixon #92 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - August 02, 2025 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2025 Training Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Given their previous dalliances with Bridgewater, it wasn't a surprise that he was once again on the Bucs' radar this summer. Tuesday's signing was not a sudden development; Licht and company had been thinking about the option for months. It helped that Bridgewater had strong relationships with multiple people inside Bucs headquarters, including Head Coach Todd Bowles, Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard and linebacker Lavonte David.
"We've talked about this actually over a couple weeks, maybe even over the summer," said Licht. "We had some discussions about it – that it would be a nice addition for the room, good for Baker [Mayfield]. Experienced guy, obviously very smart – hell of a high school coach, hell of a coach in general – but just a good addition to have that wealth of experience there."
Mayfield, who succeeded Brady and helped the Buccaneers extend their run of NFC South champions from two to four, is fully entrenched as the team's starter after back-to-back Pro Bowl campaigns. Kyle Trask, a 2021 second-round draft pick who has seen very little regular-season action due to the good health of both Brady and Mayfield, was re-signed this offseason to remain the primary backup. Licht said on Tuesday that the team's intention is for Trask to remain in that role, even with Bridgewater on board. He also said it was too early to decide whether the team would carry two quarterbacks or three on the active roster. Last year, the Buccaneers had just Mayfield and Trask on the 53-man roster and used the practice squad to carry a third passer, Michael Pratt. Pratt is currently on the active/PUP list due to a back injury. The Buccaneers also have undrafted rookie Connor Bazelak on their camp roster.
Regardless of the listed order on the depth chart, the Buccaneers are eager to add Bridgewater's well-earned knowledge to their quarterback room.
"He brings us a wealth of experience at that spot," said Bowles. "Obviously, we don't have it. Kyle has been here a few years, but he hasn't really played. Obviously, we have the new guy just coming in. So, we need the extra arm. We think we need some experience in that room – the more experience, the better. He's been in some of the same systems as Baker has been in. He has a wealth of knowledge from a coaching standpoint as well as a playing standpoint. He can't do [anything] but help."
