Proposed Trade Sends Former 1st Round Quarterback to Buccaneers

In a proposed trade with the San Francisco 49ers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could land former top-five draft pick Trey Lance.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback room is looking a bit different these days since the retirement of Tom Brady. The Bucs recently signed veteran quarterback, Baker Mayfield, to a one-year, $8.5 million deal to come in and compete with former second-round pick Kyle Trask.

The Buccaneers have made it clear that they intend to give both quarterbacks on their current roster a shot at becoming the team's next starting quarterback. However, general manager, Jason Licht, has also been open about possibly adding another quarterback - without being specific on how they would do so.

With the idea in mind that they indeed should add to their quarterback group, there has been a new proposal for the Buccaneers to land a former top-3 overall pick in the draft - Trey Lance.

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The San Francisco 49ers have reportedly fielded calls from other teams regarding the availability of Lance as most teams around the league assume that Brock Purdy will ultimately be named the starter in the Bay area.

Sources: The #49ers have received inquiries from several teams looking into a potential trade for former No. 3 pick QB Trey Lance. The conversations have been the result of SF fielding the calls, not making them, with teams aware that Brock Purdy is likely the future starter. pic.twitter.com/ddOZjZq5Xn

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 19, 2023

In a recent trade proposal from Bleacher Report's Maurice Moton, the Buccaneers would only need to give up their 3rd round pick (No. 82 overall) in this year's draft to land the young, promising quarterback.

"As the Buccaneers move past the Tom Brady era, they should take calculated swings at high-potential quarterback options.

In free agency, the Buccaneers signed Baker Mayfield, who went No. 1 overall in the 2018 draft, and they also have 2021 second-rounder Kyle Trask on their quarterback depth chart.

For Tampa Bay, Lance could be a lottery ticket at a low-to-moderate cost.

To reiterate, the 49ers gave up three first-rounders and a third-rounder to draft Lance with the third overall pick in 2021. Because of his minimal playing experience (eight games with four starts) and production, he's unlikely to fetch a first- or second-round pick. In an attempt to address the future of the position, Tampa Bay should be able to get San Francisco's attention in trade negotiations by offering a top-100 selection.

Mayfield signed a one-year deal, and Trask has two more terms left on his rookie contract. Lance would have two years to compete for the starting position with an additional offseason if the Buccaneers pick up his fifth-year option.

Lance would have a solid supporting cast that would help his development. Tampa Bay has two Pro Bowl wideouts in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin with Pro Bowl center Ryan Jensen and All-Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs along the offensive line.

By the way, Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales knows what a fresh start with a new team can do for a quarterback. Last year, he served as the Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach and watched Geno Smith win 2022 Comeback Player of the Year after six seasons in a backup role."

Adding in another quarterback that could potentially blossom into reaching their ceiling, like Lance, would put added pressure on the other Buccaneers' quarterbacks.

Lance dealt with a serious injury last season and is still rehabbing to make a comeback. He wouldn't necessarily be given the go-ahead to compete with Trask and Mayfield off the bat, but if the other two don't perform up to expectations as the season progresses it would look like a strong move that the team was able to go, and grab a guy with tons of potential that hasn't quite been seen yet due to his lack of playing time.

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Lance possesses a unique skill set from the quarterback position. He has been touted as having a natural gift and talent to play the game, but he is still unproven as his development has taken a step back due to injury. If Lance can maintain his health he should be able to get back on track to become the quarterback most in the NFL believed he could be after being drafted by the 49ers.

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