The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback room behind Baker Mayfield isn't exactly very inspiring. There is currently a three-way battle taking place between seldom-used second-rounder Kyle Trask, 2024 signing Michael Pratt, and UDFA newcomer Connor Bazelak. An upgrade like Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis may be needed.
Levis has been kicked out of the starting lineup after Cam Ward was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Levis might be on the move if the Titans want to give him a fresh start.
Levis was listed as one of the more likely June 1 cuts or trades in the NFL due to the fact that the Titans could save a few million dollars by getting rid of him after this date. The Buccaneers were listed as one of three teams that could make sense for Levis in a trade, with CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin predicting that Levis would end up in Tampa Bay.
What would constitute a fair trade for both sides if this eventually comes to fruition? Levis has shown more than most young quarterbacks looking to switch teams.
This Buccaneers-Titans trade sends Will Levis to Tampa Bay
No one is doubting Levis from a physical point of view. Between his exceedingly strong arm, terrific mobility, and penchant for fitting the ball into tight windows, Levis has the tools to be a franchise quarterback. What hurts him is a penchant for ill-timed turnovers, some of which border on comical.
Levis has started 21 games in the NFL, winning just five. Levis has just under 4,000 yards passing and 21 touchdowns in that span, but he has 16 interceptions and a few fumbles to negate his progress. To be fair to the former second-round pick who once earned top-five buzz, he wasn't dealt a very good hand in Tennessee.
Going to a Buccaneers offense loaded with quality pass-catchers and a terrific offensive line could be a major boon for Levis at this stage of his career. Learning from Mayfield, another much-hyped draft pick who flamed out and needed to resurrect his career, could prove to be invaluable.
The Titans are moving on with Ward, but that big arm Levis has will get teams interested in him. The Bucs could beat everyone else to the punch, giving them a high-end backup quarterback in the event that Mayfield needs to miss an extended period of time.
A fourth-round pick, which will likely not be used on a starting caliber player, is a paltry price to pay for that added sense of security.