The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed undrafted free-agent quarterback Chandler Morris on Sunday following the NFL draft, adding another name to the mix in the competition to become 2-time Pro Bowler Baker Mayfield‘s top backup.
The Buccaneers haven’t drafted a quarterback since taking former backup Kyle Trask in the 2nd round (No 64 overall) in 2021.
“Source: The Buccaneers are signing former Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris,” NFL reporter Matt Zenitz wrote on his official X account on Sunday. “Threw for 3,000 yards last season … Morris was a starting QB at TCU and North Texas before transferring to Virginia. Threw for 3,774 yards and 31 touchdowns at North Texas in 2024.”
Morris, 6-foot and 190 pounds, is the son of former SMU and Arkansas head coach and current Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris.
“(Virginia) QB Chandler Morris gets an NFL chance with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,” Virginia beat reporter Greg Madia wrote on his official X account. “Morris threw for 3,000 yards and 16 TDs this past fall. Bucs have three QBs on roster in Baker Mayfield, Jake Browning and Connor Bazelak, but they did not draft a QB. Interesting landing spot for Morris.”
Morris Took Circuitous Journey to NFL
It’s hard to gauge what Morris’ draft stock would have been if he’d fully participated in the pre-draft process.
Morris didn’t announce he was putting his name in the draft until April 9, when the Charlottesville (Virginia) Circuit Court denied him a 7th year of college eligibility. He played his freshman season at Oklahoma in 2020 before 3 seasons at TCU, 1 season at North Texas, and 1 season at Virginia in 2025.
From CBS Charlottesville: “Former Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris announced Wednesday night that he’s declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft. This news comes about a week after a judge in the Charlottesville Circuit Court denied him his seventh year of eligibility when he took the NCAA to court … In one season with the Cavaliers, Morris threw for 3,000 yards with 16 touchdowns. He also had a completion rate of 64.7%. Morris led the Hoos to a program record 11 wins and one of their most successful seasons in years. ”
In 6 college football seasons, including only 3 as a full-time starter, Morris threw for 9,207 yards, 63 touchdowns, and 26 interceptions to go with 887 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns.
Bucs Shied Away From Offense in 2026 Draft
The Buccaneers’ picks in the 2026 NFL draft showed offense wasn’t a priority this year after using their 1st round picks on offensive players in 2024 and 2025.
Tampa Bay became 1 of the biggest stories of the 1st round when Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. dropped to them at No. 15 overall after a pre-draft scandal tanked his stock from a projected Top 5 pick.
Four of the Buccaneers’ 1st 5 picks were defensive players, with only Georgia State wide receiver Ted Hurst breaking things up in the 3rd round (No. 84 overall).
Hurst, 6-foot-4 and 206 pounds, had 127 receptions for 1,965 yards and 15 touchdowns in just 24 games over the last 2 seasons at Georgia State.
“Morris will be a tryout player at Bucs rookie minicamp,” Fox Sports NFL reporter Greg Auman wrote on his official X account. “Played at Virginia, North Texas, TCU and Oklahoma. Threw for 31 TDs in 2024 at UNT, 16 last year at UVA. He’s the son of coach Chad Morris, now Clemson OC.”
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