Through the 2026 season, Baker Mayfield will remain a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. The $100 million man continues to shine in Tampa Bay, putting in some of the best work of his career. At 30 years old, he seems to constantly be improving and has become a mainstay in this Buccaneers offense.
After his contract expires, Tampa Bay could look elsewhere as an early 2026 mock draft has the team selecting a QB.
Eli Holstein Projected to be Drafted by the Buccaneers
The Louisiana native started his freshman season at Pittsburgh, throwing for 2,225 yards. He finished his rookie campaign 61.9% completion rate, throwing 17 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. Holstein used his legs quite frequently as well, averaging four yards per carry as he ran the ball 81 times last season for 328 yards with three touchdowns.
It’s hard to compare Holstein and Mayfield, but it’s also hard to see a world where this would be the back-to-back Pro Bowlers’ replacement.
Mayfield has led the Buccaneers to the postseason in consecutive seasons, though he only has one playoff win to show for it.
Another #Pitt player who I think will improve/make a jump from last year: QB Eli Holstein. When healthy he was on the top of his game. Now, healthy again, year 2 in the Kade Bell offense. I see major potential with an improved OL and new weapons at WR. 👀👀 #H2P pic.twitter.com/CtK7qlQ198
— JJ Kitchen (@JJ_Kitchen40) June 11, 2025
In PFSN’s latest 2026 mock draft, Holstein is projected as the No. 51 overall pick. While that places him in the middle of the second round, it also suggests that a strong showing this upcoming college football season could vault him even closer to Day 1 territory. The mock reflects a QB-heavy draft class, with six quarterbacks going ahead of him — including Drew Allar, Cade Klubnik, LaNorris Sellers, Fernando Mendoza, and Garrett Nussmeier, all selected within the top ten.
Standing at 6’4″ and 225 pounds, Holstein’s standout performance during his first season at Pittsburgh came against North Carolina — a team now coached by Bill Belichick. It’s a matchup Holstein would no doubt relish a chance to revisit. In that October 5th contest, Pittsburgh came out on top, 34-24, with Holstein completing 25 of 42 passes for 381 yards, three touchdowns, and just one interception.
Holstein hit a 70.0% completion rate in three games last season and threw for three touchdowns in each of his first five starts. He opened the year with 1,564 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and only three interceptions — strong numbers that showcase both his upside and his fit in Pittsburgh’s Air Raid offense.
Heading into the 2025 season, Holstein will aim for a more consistent and durable campaign. Nate Yarnell remains on the Pittsburgh roster after being called upon in the team’s final game of the year. Holstein’s health has raised some concerns, as he suffered multiple head injuries during the season and was sidelined with a leg injury in the finale.
He was carted off the field during the matchup against Louisville and did not suit up for the team’s bowl game — a dramatic 48-46 loss to Toledo in six overtimes.
