Hold on. There might be a real quarterback competition in Tampa. Former first-round pick Baker Mayfield was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to challenge Kyle Trask for the job of starting quarterback in place of Tom Brady. The majority of fans would consider Mayfield the clear favourite to land the position, but lately it seems like the race has been tight.
On Tuesday, the question of whether the quarterback competition has intensified since the start of training camp was put to Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales. In response, Canales said, “Oh yeah, absolutely,” as reported by the Tampa Bay Times.
“First couple of days, I think the experience that Baker brings — just playing in games, being in camps, going through installs — you could see where the offence was jelling really well,” said Canales.
“The timing of the snaps and everything else is incredibly crucial for us, so Baker certainly has a slight advantage to start, just in terms of the efficiency of the offence.
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“But it only took a couple of days for Kyle to really adjust, and then what we saw is, the last two practises Kyle really showed what he can do: stretching the pitch with his arm, getting the ball out quickly, and making decisions,” the author said. I’m therefore quite happy with both of those individuals and the progress they’ve made over the past few days.
After observing practise this week, CBS Sports Senior NFL Writer Pete Prisco also observed that the Bucs quarterback competition was closer than expected.
It “sounds and looks like there is a real QB competition in Tampa,” Prisco wrote on social media. “I didn’t believe that when I attended minicamp there. Kyle Trask, however, is playing well. I also had a good night.
After leading the FBS in passing touchdowns with 43, Trask was taken by the Buccaneers with the 64th overall choice in the 2021 NFL Draught out of Florida. But in his two NFL seasons, he only attempted nine passes, completing three of them for a total of 23 yards. Over the previous two seasons, Blaine Gabbert was Brady’s primary back-up quarterback; however, he is now with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Since leading the Cleveland Browns to their first postseason victory since the 1994 season, Mayfield’s career has taken a drastically different turn. Prior to the 2022 season, he was moved to the Carolina Panthers, but he requested his release after starting 1-5. With the Los Angeles Rams, Mayfield finished the campaign, making four starts and posting a 1-3 record.
The incredible Week 14 comeback victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, in which Mayfield inspired the Rams on a 98-yard game-winning drive only days after being claimed off of waivers, is not included in that.
The three preseason games are expected to determine the outcome of this conflict. Don’t write off the 25-year-old Trask too soon.