Position Group: Quarterback
Players: Baker Mayfield, Kyle Trask, Michael Pratt (Practice Squad)
2024 Evaluation: In 2024, the Buccaneers' prolific offense made significant strides with Baker Mayfield at the helm. Tampa Bay became the first team in NFL history to complete 70% of its passes and average over five yards per carry throughout the course of an entire season. The Bucs became the second team in NFL history to throw for 40-plus passing touchdowns and average over five yards per carry in the same season, joining the 1998 San Francisco 49ers. Tampa Bay also became the third team in NFL history to throw 40-plus passing touchdowns and complete 70% of its passes in a season, joining the 2020 Green Bay Packers and the 2011 New Orleans Saints.
Mayfield concluded the season establishing new career highs in completions (407), completion percentage (71.4%), passing yards (4,500), net yards per pass attempt (7.9), passing touchdowns (41) and passer rating (106.8). He established new Buccaneers single-season franchise records in completion percentage and passer rating. Mayfield became the fourth player in NFL history to record a season with 4,000-plus passing yards, 40-plus touchdowns, and a 70-plus completion percentage, joining Drew Brees (2011), Joe Burrow (2024) and Aaron Rodgers (2020). In addition, Mayfield became the 10th player in NFL history to throw for 4,500-plus yards and 40-plus passing touchdowns in a single season, joining Tom Brady (3), Drew Brees (2), Joe Burrow, Andrew Luck, Patrick Mahomes (2), Peyton Manning (2), Dan Marino (2), Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford (2).
The former Heisman Trophy winner layered the football to all areas of the field with precision and extended drives using his legs. With a competitive disposition, underrated arm talent, lauded quick processing and off-platform prowess, Mayfield ignited the offense. He possesses elite improvisation skills and made several off-script throws while evading pressure in 2024 that few quarterbacks – if any not named Patrick Mahomes – could make. Mayfield's throw to Mike Evans on the one-yard touchdown in the Wild Card clash encompassed his 2024 impact. He threaded the needle, zipping the ball an inch over the top of Quan Martin's helmet and through his outstretched arms into the hands of Evans after he gained inside leverage on Marshon Lattimore and crossed on a slant. That tight window throw by Mayfield showcased his unique skillset and poise.
Kyle Trask spent the season as Mayfield's primary backup, throwing one pass against the Carolina Panthers while Mayfield was being evaluated in the blue medical tent. Michael Pratt, the team's third-string quarterback, spent the duration of the season on the team's practice squad.
2025 Outlook: Kyle Trask is among the Bucs' list of 2025 unrestricted free agents. Jason Licht and company have excelled in retaining key pieces and signing valuable assets on the market with a strict salary cap. Tampa Bay has several notable contributors set to hit the open market in 2025 and the team is currently in the bottom third in the NFL in terms of cap flexibility. Mayfield is locked in as the franchise quarterback after he signed a three-year, $100 million contract extension in March of 2024. Trask, the Bucs' 2020 second-round pick, played the final year of his rookie contract and addressed his future back in Training Camp, citing the desire to "get better every day" with an unknown future at the conclusion of the season. The Bucs kept Pratt on the practice squad throughout the 2024 season and while his PS contract expires soon, the staff could opt to give him a chance to compete for the number-two job during the summer.
