Byron Leftwich Signs with the Buccaneers

Byron Leftwich, who earned a Super Bowl ring last year with the Pittsburgh Steelers, has signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His contract is reportedly a two-year deal worth a little less than $8 million. For the 2009 NFL season, Leftwich will make approximately $2 million.

Byron Leftwich, Pittsburgh Steelers (Image: Newscom)

Multiple teams, including the Steelers and the Washington Redskins, were interested in signing Leftwich. However, the former Marshall star decided on the Buccaneers apparently due to the possibility that he can win the starting job in Tampa Bay.

As it stands, the Bucs have Brian Griese, Luke McCown and Josh Johnson at the quarterback position. With a new coaching regime in town, there’s no clear cut leader to start the season at quarterback. The fact that the team was so aggressive in getting Leftwich makes it seem like that decision has yet to be made.

At 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, Leftwich definitely has the size for the quarterback position. What he has lacked during his NFL career has been consistency. His ability to lead a team has also been question, as has his durability.

At 29, this may be Leftwich’s last chance to prove he’s a capable starting quarterback at the NFL level.