2013 NFL Trade Rumors: Buccaneers reportedly interested in Ryan Mallett

According to both the Boston Herald and Tom Krasniqi of 620 WDAE, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are interested in trading for Ryan Mallett as either a backup quarterback, or as competition for Josh Freeman. Both of them are also reporting that this is unlikely to happen, because the Patriots are demanding more than the Bucs want to pay. Which makes perfect sense.

Ryan Mallett was a third-round pick in 2011 for the Patriots, and they will at a minimum want to recoup their investment if they're going to trade him. Meanwhile, do you see the Buccaneers giving up a third-rounder or more for Mallett, a backup quarterback who has shown nothing in the NFL? He hasn't even produced in the preseason, completing just 49.3% of his passes for a pathetic 4.5 yards per attempt during the 2012 preseason.

Yes, Mallett has some intriguing ability. He has a cannon for an arm. He was reasonably accurate in college. But he also struggled in muddied pockets, has a slow release and he isn't all that athletic. Meanwhile, the Bucs can find about six quarterbacks who fit that description late in this year's draft.

Mallett to the Bucs is more than likely not happening. It's simply not interesting for either party.