The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made former University of Miami standout quarterback Vinny Testaverde a No. 1 pick in the 1987 NFL Draft. He played six seasons for the team, then thrived elsewhere. Now, 32 years later, another Testaverde, hailing from a litany of schools, can call Tampa Bay home too.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Bucs have signed Vincent Testaverde to compete for the third-string job to Jameis Winston and Blaine Gabbert. Like his dad, he played ball for the Miami Hurricanes. But he didn't take a snap there. Before then, he started his college career at Texas Tech, where he put up 116 yards and a touchdown in one game for the Red Raiders.
Vincent's (or Vinny Jr.) best season in the NCAA ranks came in his last season as the starter for the University of Albany. He wound up completing 117 passes out of 219 attempts (53.4% completion rate) for 1,714 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Not quite the same numbers that earned a Heisman Trophy for his father.
Nonetheless, Testaverde. earned a spot after impressing on a try-out basis at the team's rookie minicamp in May.
However, don't expect him to best his father's time in Tampa Bay. Senior still holds the Bucs' all-time passing yards record with 14,820, and Winston is close, to beating it; 14,628 since 2015. Considering that Winston is entrenched as the starter and Gabbert is a fine backup, it will be tough for the legend's son to make the squad or see consistent snaps.
To sign Testaverde, the Buccaneers waived tight end Troy Niklas. Fellow rookie quarterback Nick Fitzgerald was placed on the NFI list and may go through a position change.
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