March 13, 2026, 11:30 a.m. PT
The Tampa Bay Husk…excuse me, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, are set to add another member of the Washington Huskies during the early days of NFL free agency after ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Wednesday that quarterback Jake Browning is expected to sign a one-year deal with the NFC South team.
This will be Browning’s third organization as he enters his eighth season in the NFL. He began his career with the Minnesota Vikings and spent two seasons with the team after signing as an undrafted free agent, before he was waived ahead of the 2021 season and signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.
He spent five years as the backup to former No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow and appeared in 17 games, starting 10, in which he compiled a 4-6 record. Over those 17 appearances, Browning has compiled 2,707 passing yards on a 68.5 completion percentage with 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, while he’s added 164 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground.
Now, Browning will back up quarterback Baker Mayfield, who played in every game but battled through injuries in 2025. However, assimilating himself onto Tampa Bay’s roster should be rather easy.
Washington’s all-time leading passer will have several familiar faces in the locker room to lean on, including defensive tackle Vita Vea, tight end Cade Otton, who recently signed a three-year, $30 million contract to stay in Tampa Bay, and tight end Devin Culp, who redshirted in 2018 during Browning’s senior season.
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Tampa Bay is also expecting a much bigger role for former UW star wide receiver Jalen McMillan in his third season after All-Pro Mike Evans left in free agency for the San Francisco 49ers, who could become a reliable target for Browning during practice.