The Buccaneers were able to lend a layer of stability and security to their offense over the weekend, and they did it by not doing a thing.
Though he was clearly made available, they didn’t trade backup quarterback Mike Glennon, and that’s just fine with Bucs coach Dirk Koetter.
“If it would have been the best thing for the team, if the right situation was up for a trade that was in the best interest of the Bucs, then of course he would have had to go,” Koetter said, via Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune. “And we’ve been telling Mike that all along. But that opportunity wasn’t there, and as I’ve said multiple times, I believe Mike Glennon is an NFL starting quarterback. Unfortunately for him, he’s going to have to wait [to prove that]. Fortunately for us, we’re going to have him as our No. 2 [this year].
“And that’s a great position for us to be in. [Eventually] Mike’s going to move on and hopefully have a chance to start somewhere, but for now that’s what it is, and I can’t imagine there’s many teams that have a better 1-2 punch at quarterback that we do.”
Glennon might have fetched a pick or so, and the Bucs are resigned to losing him next spring when he hits free agency. But for now, they’ll retain Jameis Winston’s backup. General Manager Jason Licht wouldn’t say whether anyone called to ask about him, but made it clear his value was high.
“The value of that backup quarterback — we’re lucky to have him,” Licht said. “Hopefully he can be here for a while, but we know we have him this year. I mean, Mike is a Buc, and I’m glad he’s a Buc. And so is Dirk and everybody here.”
Glennon himself might not feel the same way, as the only way he’ll step on the field this year is if something bad happens, but at least he knows one team wants him around.
