Signal-Callers Of the Bay: A Retrospective On the BUCS' Quarterbacks From 2009-2022
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had a tumultuous quarterback history since 2010, with a revolving door of signal-callers. From Josh Freeman to Jameis Winston to Tom Brady, the Buccaneers have seen their fair share of highs and lows at the quarterback position. Here, we will briefly examine each quarterback's history and the touchdown to interception ratios, the number of years they spent as a starter, and how their turnovers impacted the outcome of games.
Josh Freeman (2009-2013)
Josh Freeman was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009, in the first round, with the 17th overall pick. Freeman took over as the starter in Week 8 in his rookie season. He and the team struggled mightily, but the season wasn’t without its highlights. The biggest came in Freeman’s first game as a starter as the BUCS pulled off an upset victory against the Green Bay Packers. This game was also historic as it was the first Throwback/Ring Of Honor Game in the Buccaneers history. In his second season, Freeman threw for over 3,400 yards and 25 touchdowns with only 6 interceptions, leading the Buccaneers to a 10-6 record. This performance earned Freeman the #86 spot in the 2011 NFL Top 100 Players list, solidifying his notoriety and potential as one of the league's up-and-coming quarterbacks.
However, Freeman's success was short-lived. In the following years, the Buccaneers struggled, and Freeman's play regressed. He struggled with accuracy and decision-making, which led to turnovers and losses for the team. Despite the team's struggles, there was still hope that Freeman could return to his 2010 form. Still, questionable character concerns and reports of excessive partying led to his relationship with the team deteriorating.
While he showed promise early on, he ultimately failed to meet expectations both on and off the field and parted ways with the team on bad terms. Before the 2013 Week 4 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, Freeman was benched in favor of Mike Glennon. Days before the game, Freeman granted an interview to ESPN after refusing to speak with local media, and instead of accepting the role of backup, he said it was best that he moved on from the team altogether. This led to an awkward series of events, including Freeman not only not dressing for the game but allegedly being told he could no longer be on the sideline. He was instead banished to a team suite in the stadium. The cherry on top of that sundae of silliness is that Josh Freeman was the featured player on the souvenir cups at the game.
You couldn’t make this nonsense up.
During his five years with the team, Freeman threw for 80 touchdowns and 66 interceptions for a TD to INT rate of 1.21.
Freeman's turnover rate was a major concern during his time in Tampa Bay. He had 21 games in which he turned the ball over multiple times, and the Buccaneers lost 7 of those games by one possession. This highlights the impact turnovers can have on the outcome of close games and the importance of protecting the football.
Top Receiving Targets:
Mike Williams(388)
Kellen Winslow(291)
Vincent Jackson(176)
Arrelious Benn(86)
Doug Martin(83)
Mike Glennon (2013-2016)
Mike Glennon was a promising quarterback prospect when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted him in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. At the time, he was expected to be the backup to Josh Freeman just in case he didn’t return to his 2010 rising superstar status. Well, just 4 games into the season, Freeman was out of the picture and Glennon was thrust into the starter role. He showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie season, throwing for over 2,600 yards and 19 touchdowns with 9 interceptions, but the team struggled to a 4-12 record.
Despite his solid performances in some unfavorable and even harsh conditions, the team never seemed fully committed to him as their long-term solution at quarterback. A coaching change along with a new general manager shifted the trajectory of Glennon’s future in Tampa. Coach Lovie Smith took over the team and inserted a group of veteran players from his past glory. This proved to be a mistake in several positions. The starting quarterback spot was one of them. Despite outperforming Lovie Smith’s handpicked Josh McCown, Glennon played the backup role for the 2014 season.
After the team drafted Jameis Winston with the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, it became clear that Glennon's time in Tampa Bay was limited. Glennon ultimately left the Buccaneers as a free agent after the 2016 season, signing a three-year deal with the Chicago Bears.
Glennon appeared in 21 games as a Buccaneer, throwing for 30 touchdowns and 15 interceptions for a TD to INT rate of 2.0. Glennon's turnover rate was relatively low, as he only had 3 games in which he turned the ball over multiple times, and the Buccaneers lost 1 of those games by one possession.
Top Receiving Targets:
Vincent Jackson(185)
Tim Wright(74)
Tiquan Underwood(46)
Mike Evans(39)
Bobby Rainey(38)
Josh McCown (2014)
In 2014, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed veteran quarterback Josh McCown to a two-year deal worth $10 million. McCown was brought in to be the team's starting quarterback and provide some much-needed stability to the position. Unfortunately, things didn't go according to plan. McCown struggled mightily in his lone season as the Buccaneers' starter, throwing 14 interceptions to just 11 touchdowns and leading the team to a dismal 2-14 record.
Despite his struggles on the field, McCown was well-respected in the Buccaneers' locker room and praised for his leadership qualities. He was also praised for his work ethic and his willingness to help younger players develop. These qualities were evident during his time with the team and almost helped to soften the blow of his poor on-field performance. Almost.
Josh McCown was the Buccaneers' starting quarterback in 2014, but he only played in 11 games due to injury. In those 11 games, McCown threw for 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions for a TD to INT rate of 0.79. He had 4 games in which he turned the ball over multiple times, and the Buccaneers lost 2 of those games by one possession.
Top Receiving Targets:
Vincent Jackson(85)
Mike Evans(83)
Charles Sims(27)
Louis Murphy/Brandon Myers(23)
Bobby Rainey(22)
Jameis Winston (2015-2019)
Jameis Winston, the former quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was drafted by the team in 2015 as the number one overall pick. He was a highly touted prospect coming out of Florida State University, having won the Heisman Trophy after one of the most phenomenal single seasons in college football history and helping lead his team to a national championship in 2013. Winston brought a lot of excitement to the Buccaneers, and fans had high hopes for his future with the team.
Winston showed flashes of potential on the field during his time with the BUCS, but his struggle with consistency and turnovers marred his run in Tampa. For every picture-perfect pass that threaded the needle to a receiver, there were three or four clean-pocket interceptions thrown into double-coverage. For every scramble out of the pocket that led to a miraculous first down, there were four or five sacks and/or fumbles due to holding the ball too long. His propensity for turnovers was a major source of frustration for fans, coaches, and teammates alike.
Despite his struggles, Winston was still favored by many. He received the benefit of the doubt from a large group of fans and media members. Most significantly, he had the full support of Jason Licht, the general manager that was in place when he was drafted. Licht had all the reason to question and even challenge Winston’s role as a starter by the end of his third season in 2017. Yet, he didn’t. By the end of the third season of a full-time starter, most lasting QBs have at least one season throwing for twice as many touchdowns as interceptions. While that’s not the only indicator of a good QB, it has proven, more than not, to be the most common shared attribute. Eight years into his career, Winston has yet to hit that mark. Licht not only stuck with his QB after three seasons of questionable play on the field but also through a messy off-the-field sexual assault case which led to a 3-game suspension in 2018. The suspension came just two months after the BUCS exercised the 5th year option on Winston’s rookie contract. It was the second allegation of its kind involving the Buccaneers’ QB.
Ultimately, Winston's time with the Buccaneers came to an end after the 2019 season. That year, Winston had his most notable statistical season, throwing for 5,109 yards and 33 touchdowns, but he also led the league in interceptions with 30. The team decided not to re-sign him, and he signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints. Winston's departure from Tampa Bay was bittersweet for many fans, as they had seen glimpses of his potential but also witnessed his frustrating struggles on the field.
During his five years with the team, Winston threw for 121 touchdowns and 88 interceptions for a TD to INT rate of 1.37.
Winston had a penchant for big plays, but his turnovers were a major issue throughout his tenure in Tampa Bay. He had 28 games in which he threw interceptions multiple times, and the Buccaneers lost 9 of them by one possession.
Top Receiving Targets:
Mike Evans(624)
Cameron Brate/Adamn Humprhies(261)
Chris Godwin(218)
Charles Sims(132)
O.J. Howard(98)
DeSean Jackson(97)
Ryan Fitzpatrick (2017-2018)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers experienced a unique period in their franchise history from 2017 to 2018, marked by the presence of journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Known for his intelligence and grit, Fitzpatrick brought a sense of excitement and unpredictability to the Buccaneers' offense during his tenure with the team. As both a backup and a starter, Fitzpatrick's performance on the field was marked by some impressive numbers, but it was also accompanied by a fair amount of controversy.
During his two seasons with the Buccaneers, Fitzpatrick played in 14 games, starting in 10 of them as a result of injuries or suspensions to then-starter Jameis Winston. Fitzpatrick's TD to INT rate equaled 1.6, with 7 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in 2017, and 17 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2018. His strong arm and willingness to take risks in the passing game often led to high-scoring affairs, but it also meant that turnovers were a common occurrence. This boom-or-bust style of play earned Fitzpatrick the nickname "Fitzmagic," reflecting the rollercoaster ride of emotions fans experienced watching him play. Fitzpatrick was at the center of, arguably, the most exciting 3-game stretch for a Buccaneers’ offense in the last 10+ years.
The Buccaneers' 2017 and 2018 seasons were also marked by a controversy involving Fitzpatrick, wide receiver DeSean Jackson, and Jameis Winston. Jackson, an explosive deep-threat receiver, seemed to have a better connection with Fitzpatrick than with Winston, leading to some speculation about whether Fitzpatrick should remain the team's starting quarterback. The situation ignited when Winston served a three-game suspension in 2018, and Fitzpatrick stepped up as the starter, putting up gaudy numbers in the process. Ultimately, the Buccaneers decided to stick with Winston as their franchise quarterback. Bruce Arians, the newly-hired head coach for the Buccaneers, stated he didn’t want, Jameis Winston, the incumbent starter, having to look over his shoulder. Fitzpatrick moved on to the Miami Dolphins in 2019. The Fitzmagic era in Tampa Bay may have been brief, but it left an indelible mark on the franchise and the fans.
Top Receiving Targets:
Mike Evans(89)
DeSean Jackson(67)
Chris Godwin(51)
Adam Humphries(48)
O.J. Howard(40)
Tom Brady (2020-2022)
In March 2020, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a bold move by signing quarterback Tom Brady. After spending 20 seasons with the New England Patriots and winning six Super Bowl titles, many wondered if the 43-year-old could continue his success with a new team. However, Brady quickly proved he was still one of the best quarterbacks in the league, playing a pivotal role in the Buccaneers getting their second Super Bowl title in franchise history in his first season with the team.
Brady's success in Tampa Bay was not immediate, however. The team struggled in the first half of the 2020 season, with a record of 7-5 after 12 games. But Brady and the Buccaneers hit their stride in the playoffs, winning three road games to reach the Super Bowl. In the championship game, Brady threw for 201 yards and three touchdowns as the Buccaneers’ defense dominated the Kansas City Chiefs and led to a 31-9. Brady was named Super Bowl MVP for the fifth time in his career.
Despite his success, Brady has also faced some challenges in Tampa Bay. He had to adjust to a new team and coaching staff, and he faced criticism for his performance in some games. His ability to positively influence games against relatively good defenses was routinely questioned by those who paid attention to anything more than final scores and highlights. Yet, Brady was head and shoulders above the previous quarterbacks that took the mantle in Tampa, even at his advanced age. His experience and expertise as a game manager made all the difference. Taking care of the ball was prioritized and seemed to be second nature rather than an afterthought.
In his three years with the team, Brady threw for 108 touchdowns and 33 interceptions for a TD to INT rate of 3.27. Brady was a breath of fresh air at the QB position. He was efficient with the football, limiting his turnovers and making smart decisions in key situations.
Brady's turnover rate was relatively low in Tampa, with 10 games in which he turned the ball over multiple times, and the Buccaneers lost 2 of those games by one possession.
Top Receiving Targets:
Chris Godwin(349)
Mike Evans(345)
Leonard Fournette(214)
Rob Gronkowski(165)
Cameron Brate(129)
The Buccaneers' quarterback history since 2010 has been a rollercoaster ride, with a mix of highs and lows from each signal-caller. From Freeman's early success to Winston's big plays and turnover issues to Brady’s league-leading efficiency, the Buccaneers have seen it all. Now, the team is set to hit the rest button once again at the quarterback position with the hope and expectation that the next man under center will limit their turnovers and make smart decisions with the football.
In terms of touchdown to interception ratios, Tom Brady has been the most efficient quarterback for the Buccaneers since 2010, with a ratio of 3.27. Mike Glennon had the second-highest ratio at 2.0, followed by Fitzpatrick with 1.76. Jameis Winston followed at 1.37, Josh Freeman at 1.21, and Josh McCown at 0.79.
