Buccaneers GM Jason Licht Not Opposed to Drafting Quarterback.
How will the Tampa Bay Buccaneers approach the 2024 NFL Draft? They’re a bit of a curious situation. They can trade up to secure a star-level talent or trade back from pick No. 26 to acquire more talents and build more depth on the roster.
One move the Buccaneers made this offseason was returning quarterback Baker Mayfield on a three-year contract to provide safety at the position for years to come.
Still, at some point in the draft, could the Buccaneers select a quarterback? Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht isn’t opposed to drafting one, but he isn’t in a hurry, either.
“We look at all of the quarterbacks. We spend a lot of time looking at the quarterbacks. I would never say that we wouldn’t take a quarterback because you could take one and be glad that you did at some point,” Licht explained.
Evidently, if there’s an outstanding young quarterback available and the Buccaneers have addressed major holes, why not take that quarterback? In three years, when Mayfield’s contract is up, they might be in the market for a replacement. Having one already on the roster could be a great way to approach that, and Licht is aware of that.
“Now, we like our room right now, but we will take a look at all of them, or we already have. It’s a little bit top heavy this year, but there is always that instance if we like somebody, and like I said, if we think he’s better than the other positions on the board that we would consider,” Licht continued.
Having Mayfield’s successor on the roster, soaking up valuable experience and embracing the franchise and its culture could make an eventual shift to a new era seamless.
Especially, as Licht mentioned, if that’s the best pick available at the time. It would be more valuable to the team than reaching for a pick solely based on position or “fit.”