Buccaneers Have Had a Terrible Time Drafting Quarterbacks

Published on July 24th, 2024 1:36 pm EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


Here is an incredible statistic that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers surely aren't proud of - since joining the league in 1976, the Bucs have NEVER given a drafted quarterback a second contract.

Since joining the league in 1976, the Buccaneers have drafted a total of 26 quarterbacks, and not ONE of them have re-signed with the team.

This includes THREE first overall picks - Jameis Winston, Steve Young (1st overall pick in USFL/CFL supplemental draft) and Vinny Testaverde.

Jameis Winston entered the league with great fanfare, though he never really broke out.

Winston's best season with the Buccaneers was his last one, as he passed for over 5,000 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2019.

The Bucs, however, decided to sign Tom Brady instead, and Winston left to join the New Orleans Saints.

Vinny Testaverde was taken first overall in the 1987 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers.

Testaverde significantly underwhelmed expectations during his five years with the Bucs. Vinny threw far too many interceptions, and the team eventually lost faith in him, electing to let Testaverde leave in free agency.

Steve Young was playing in the USFL when his team ended up folding. The future superstar was taken first overall in the USFL/CFL supplemental draft, and ended up playing two underwhelming seasons for the team before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers to serve as Joe Montana's backup.

Young would eventually take over in San Francisco, where he would put together a Hall of Fame career.

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The Bucs selected three other quarterbacks in the first round of the draft.

The first was Doug Williams, who was selected with their #17 pick in 1978.

Williams and the Bucs would squabble over money, and Williams would eventually sit out the 1983 season due to the dispute. The Buccaneers wouldn't budget, and Williams would eventually join the USFL.

Josh Freeman was drafted #17 overall in 2009 and had some sporadic success during his first four years with the team.

His fourth year in Tampa Bay was his best, as Freeman threw for 4,065 yards and 27 touchdowns.

Things went sideways between Freeman and the Bucs in his fifth and final sesaon with the team, and they elected to release him early in the season after trying to trade him.

Trent Dilfer was the sixth overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft. Dilfer was inconsistent during his time with the Bucs. After suffering some injuries, Dilfer became expendable to the Bucs and they elected not to re-sign him.