How Much Rope Will Jake Browning Get?
July 27th, 2026
The new Bucs backup quarterback got a one-year deal for a half of what Tampa Bay inked Kyle Trask for last offseason.
Former Bengals QB Jake Browning got $400,000 guaranteed and a $1.3 million contract, per Spotrac.com. Trask got double the salary and triple the signing bonus.
Not long after, Trask had one foot out the door of One Buc Palace when Teddy Bridgewater was signed in August, more than a week into training camp. Trask was cut in late August.
So Joe has to wonder how long a leash Browning has, especially with Jimmy Garoppolo back on the market.
Joe is not knocking 30-year-old Browning here, just wondering how much rope Browning will get after the Bucs were so quick to sour on Trask after watching him play for four years.
Browning was poor last season and, as fans of the Quarterback series saw, Browning was the soft-spoken sidekick of Joe Flacco. The Bengals traded for Flacco in desperation after Browning was poor through three starts.
Garoppolo earned $3 million last season as a Rams backup. He toyed with retirement but is now back on the market. Joe only brings up Garoppolo because he has great experience and spent two years in Sean McVay’s system.
It’s reasonable to suggest Browning can’t afford a Trask-like camp.
July 27th, 2026 at 11:22 am
He is a waste of a roster space. At least bring in someone who can win a few games.
July 27th, 2026 at 11:23 am
I would take Jimmy Garoppolo as a backup in a heartbeat.
July 27th, 2026 at 11:26 am
I think he’ll have a long leash unfortunately….unless the UDFA rookie from Kansas really impresses, Browning is a lock to make the team as our #2…
JL shouldve tried to sign Trey Lance but he was asleep at the wheel
GO BUCS!!!!
July 27th, 2026 at 11:27 am
Garoppolo can be an effective sub. I’d bring him in for such a critical position. Will JL/TB do it – -No!
July 27th, 2026 at 11:28 am
Browning isn’t great but he is better than we have had the past several seasons.
K. Trask and Teddy B.?
BARF!!!!!
At least this dude has some experience in the NFL and has won a few games this decade.
I like the kid out of Kansas but he is a long term project not a short term solution.
July 27th, 2026 at 11:33 am
Shouldn’t be much, because Browning is one of the most inconsequential signings Licht has made on behalf of this team, possibly ever.
“Joe only brings up Garoppolo because he has great experience and spent two years in Sean McVay’s system.”
WOOF.
July 27th, 2026 at 11:33 am
I have little faith in a Browning.In that Baker plays the way he does they need a quality backup. Browning doesn’t appear to be that guy.
Yes Graropolli would be great. I am not sure Browning is as good as Trask. The Bucs went backwards with this.
July 27th, 2026 at 11:35 am
With the way Mayfield plays we should have invested Ina REAL back up instead of garbage 2 seasons in a row. Licht is NOT a great GM. Brady saved his career that looks more and more like a bell curve when put on a graph. Licht maxed out under Brady. Downhill slope since.
-David
July 27th, 2026 at 11:44 am
It won’t matter he won’t see the field anyway. And as terrible as he is he’s better than Teddy and they wouldn’t let him sniff the field after that Rams game. Unless Baker is on a stretcher he’ll play…for better or worse. Browning will be on clipboard duty.
July 27th, 2026 at 11:49 am
I’d rather turn to Baze, if Baker goes down. Let’s face it, you lose your starting QB season is over anyway.
July 27th, 2026 at 12:05 pm
Browning isn’t the guy. If you had a multi BILLION DOLLAR team and “Winning actually mattered” …..
Then again… we’re talking about the Glazers. Winning doesn’t “actually” matter. And boy, THAT’S clear!
July 27th, 2026 at 12:08 pm
Bazelak is horrible. Super inaccurate. Now that Joe said Jimmy G is available I will sit back and wait for the “ get Jimmy and don’t sign Baker” comments from our less informed crowd
July 27th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
Keeping an eye on this. I’ve been critical of Licht not signing a more established QB2. I’d be much more comfortable with someone like Flacco or Garoppolo. Having a proven QB2 takes on greater importance when your QB is small and plays like a LB. Signing Browning for peanuts and hoping you don’t have to play him for 17 games and a deep playoff run is a calculated gamble. If Josh Allen is your QB I understand the willingness to roll the dice. But if Baker’s your guy you better have a backup plan that can hold the fort down.
July 27th, 2026 at 12:17 pm
Better than Bridgewater. Not much of a comfort. Learn to slide Baker.
July 27th, 2026 at 12:18 pm
I’d have been tickled pink if we’d signed Flacco, but he’s not signing for $400k
July 27th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
“So quick to sour after watching him for four years,” lol. What on Earth were they thinking, signing him then cutting him so fast? Did he seduce Bowles’ granddaughter, or something? And Teddy was a disaster.
July 27th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
The rookie Daniel’s makes plays
July 27th, 2026 at 12:54 pm
Jalen Daniels is the 2nd best Qb on our roster.
Daniels should definitely be the starter if Baker goes down.
He gives us the best chance to win.
July 27th, 2026 at 1:06 pm
Love seeing the opinions of people who claim as fact that Daniels – a guy who has never taken a snap in an NFL game and who NOBODY thought was good enough to draft in a weak QB draft – is such a great QB.
July 27th, 2026 at 1:11 pm
@ Bad
“Better than Bridgewater. Not much of a comfort. Learn to slide Baker.”
I agree.
I have the Bucs QB unit grade as a C-…
Baker is mediocre and it ain’t gonna get any better if he doesn’t learn to slide more often.
If Baker gets hurt then this season will squirt…
Out the B-hole.
July 27th, 2026 at 1:31 pm
Brady was his own GM Jason did what Tom asked here, not what he wanted to do. If not Brady might not have gotten that ring for the Bucs. In all I think it’s close to time for a new GM and Headcoach as well as maybe letting Baker walk at the end of this season. Save the money now and make a move in the draft to get a QB… win it all and, do it anyway.
July 27th, 2026 at 1:34 pm
Jimmy G? Sure.
July 27th, 2026 at 1:42 pm
Perhaps our defence minded HC will turn Browning into a corner.
July 27th, 2026 at 2:08 pm
Jimmy G, in limited games, has had a QBR of the following in the last 3 seasons:
2023: 7 games, 6 starts: 34.7 QBR
2024: 1 game, 1 start: 44.9 QBR
2025: Did not qualify
Those QBR numbers are pretty awful.
Browning over that same time:
2023: 9 games, 7 starts: 60.8 QBR
2024: Did not qualify
2025: 5 games, 3 starts: 35.2 QBR
So if you’re just looking at those 3-years, Brown is quite a bit better as far as QBR goes, while Jimmy G has basically not played in 2-years, and was awful when he last played in 2023.
July 27th, 2026 at 2:09 pm
He’s better than what we’ve had the last few years
July 27th, 2026 at 2:20 pm
I can tell some of you didn’t watch KU on Saturdays’
July 27th, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Those saying he’s better than Teddy obviously don’t know him. They’re both horrible.
July 27th, 2026 at 2:51 pm
Save the money now and make a move in the draft to get a QB… win it all and, do it anyway.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Only 36% of first round quarterbacks succeed. Counting on a 1st rounder is nuts. Ask Minnesota how thats been working out for them.
July 27th, 2026 at 3:16 pm
Enough to lasso the defense or tie himself in knots.
July 27th, 2026 at 3:28 pm
Hoping Munch gets Deshaun Watson as his Bucs QB in 2027.
July 27th, 2026 at 3:30 pm
Licht will NEVER shell out for Jimmy G.
July 27th, 2026 at 3:32 pm
Nobody should shell out for Jimmy G, because he’s buns
July 27th, 2026 at 4:07 pm
A quick four years? Lmao what does it matter baker never comes off the field man I can’t wait until the season starts go bucs.
July 27th, 2026 at 4:17 pm
Picking through other teams scraps sometimes yields effective results. Bringing Jimmy G in to compete for QB2 might be a good idea.
Then again, I thought Teddy Bridgewater was going to be an effective back-up when they signed him, so what do I know?
July 27th, 2026 at 4:22 pm
Shedeur Sanders made the Pro Bowl with a 18.9 QBR last year….LOL
July 27th, 2026 at 4:23 pm
I think Baze has shown something good, too, so far, Hodad.
July 27th, 2026 at 4:27 pm
Debating the backup QB spot is talking about a whole lot of nothing. It doesn’t matter, he won’t see the field unless Bake is out for the season. We all know he won’t get off the field, especially in a contract year.
That being said they might as well put the rook at #2. But that might make the starter a lil bit too nervous. Even Brady wanted a horrible vet behind him so I can’t blame him.
Don’t worry about the backup qb, he’s being paid for moral support.
July 27th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
Don’t be surprised if Jalon Daniels is in the #2 slot after camp. I am hearing very positive news
July 27th, 2026 at 6:11 pm
🚨
Joe, the rope Browning should get shouldn’t be any longer than a Twizzler.
The hope that he suddenly turns into a quality long-term backup is about as realistic as trying to sell a broken-down car as “like new.”
And the Jimmy Garoppolo idea? 🤣🤣🤣 That’s like replacing one set of bald tires with another. Why invest in two quarterbacks whose best football is behind them?
If I’m making the decision, I’m giving Jalon Daniels every backup rep I can. At least he gives you a legitimate Plan B, upside for the future, and the possibility of developing into something more. Healthy quarterback competition is a good thing but only when there’s actual potential to compete.
Browning and Garoppolo don’t move the franchise forward. Daniels might.
🔥 LFG!
🧑🍳 Baker for MVP! Congrats Blue chew on your baby boy!!
July 27th, 2026 at 6:13 pm
Simple. If Bakefield is hurt…2-15.
July 27th, 2026 at 6:13 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch said: “I can tell some of you didn’t watch KU on Saturdays’”
No, but I did watch the Gators and his play there did nothing for him in the NFL.
July 27th, 2026 at 6:14 pm
By “his” I meant Kyle Trask
July 27th, 2026 at 6:17 pm
jcscycles said: “Only 36% of first round quarterbacks succeed. Counting on a 1st rounder is nuts. Ask Minnesota how thats been working out for them.”
When you take out the #1 pick in the draft, the number drops to about 20% of the rest of the first round.
July 27th, 2026 at 6:19 pm
Vita has requested a trade, Lord help us
July 27th, 2026 at 6:19 pm
Jalen Daniels for Vice President!!!
Oh, we’re talking about QB2?
Same thing …
July 27th, 2026 at 6:19 pm
Where is the article joe vea has requested a trade.
July 27th, 2026 at 6:20 pm
Jason is effing up
July 27th, 2026 at 6:25 pm
Vita asked for a trade. Its a wrap for this regime. From top to bottom this organization is a joke. You still think Mike loved this roster and left anyway? 🤣
July 27th, 2026 at 6:25 pm
So Vita requests a trade
July 27th, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Bye bye VV.
It was fun.
July 27th, 2026 at 6:28 pm
Suh got him bold. Not good for Bucs
July 27th, 2026 at 6:28 pm
Didn’t see this coming
July 27th, 2026 at 6:31 pm
While we didn’t see this coming. Not surprised at all.
Dudes are jumping ship fast.
Can’t wait to hear from the Genius Jason Licht on this one.
What a S show
July 27th, 2026 at 6:32 pm
My prediction of 5-12 seams more likely every day.
Glad we kept Bowles. We will need some top 5 draft picks quickly.
Jason has got to go, too
July 27th, 2026 at 6:34 pm
If Vita Vea has, indeed, requested a trade, I’d only trade him for a #1 draft pick to Miami, Arizona or Cleveland. That way, all the Baker haters here will rejoice and have a chance at getting one of the top three QBs in the draft next year.
July 27th, 2026 at 7:24 pm
They better play him a lot.
July 27th, 2026 at 7:35 pm
If you can get Garrapolo for $3M do it and cut Browning.
July 27th, 2026 at 7:43 pm
Bowels and Lichtenstein better get moving here. Pick up a better backup QB, in case we have another fiasco at the position. Doesn’t look good for the that VV wants out now. Looks like their righting the ship is starting to no go so well, unless they can do some miracles here.
July 28th, 2026 at 3:32 pm
Jake Browning is a true pro, the best backup in the NFL and is good enough to start on some teams. It would make a lot of sense for Browning to be starter next season on an affordable contract. He had a bad offensive line last season on Bengals. With a good offense line he can lead an offense and score points. Give him a chance he doesn’t have that many NFL starts and he is a record setting QB that has excelled at every level and shown improvement. hard worker I think he will surpass many peoples expectations.
July 30th, 2026 at 2:38 am
Bengals fan here. Browning got screwed by the Bengals last season. He was a starter for three of their toughest games and became a scapegoat for a horrible defense. They brought in Flacco to save the head coaches butt and left Jake hanging. I believe that uf he is called on Tampa Bay fans will be excited when they see what he brings to the table.