Bucs Get Mixed Reaction In Free Agency Grades
March 15th, 2023
This is sort of funny to Joe. But hey, Joe has a, well, unique sense of humor.
Yesterday Joe brought word that Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News gave the Bucs an “A” grade for finding a way to keep cornerback Jamel Dean.
Well, later, Garrett Podell of CBS Sports decided to troll the Bucs not so much for what they did in free agency, but for what they seem about to do.
Podell gave the Bucs props for re-signing Dean but then noticed the Bucs are soberly (?) discussing handing the starting reins to either journeyman Baker Mayfield or competing Kyle Trask.
However, the idea that their QB room could be Kyle Trask and Baker Mayfield in 2023 is a stark reminder that the Super Bowl aspirations Tom Brady brought with him from New England have vanished along with his football career as he enters retirement full-time.
Here is the way Joe looks at it:
With Mayfield, what’s the realistic expectation? Nine wins, tops? Mayfield’s ceiling keeps the Bucs in quarterback purgatory.
(Remember: Mayfield has been dumped by three teams in the past two seasons. Two that showed him the door were run by offensive gurus — allegedly.)
Joe is really trying to be positive about Trask and forget what Joe’s eyes have seen in many practices. So either Trask is going to put the Bucs in position to maybe #CollaspseForCaleb and get the 2024 No. 1 pick, or hopefully light up defenses.
But the Bucs have too much talent to realistically make a run at Caleb Williams. So perhaps North Carolina Drake Maye would be the goal?
March 15th, 2023 at 8:25 am
Just say NO!!! To the #ColapseforCaleb drug. Who is to say Caleb will be a good NFL player? If you know that he will. Please put the next mega millions numbers here so we all can see.your prophecy at work.
March 15th, 2023 at 8:25 am
Mayfield is three seasons removed from 11-5 and a near win against the Chiefs in the playoffs. We could do far worse.
March 15th, 2023 at 8:26 am
Rolling with Trask is going to get everyone fired and Bowles knows it.
March 15th, 2023 at 8:28 am
We don’t need Baker Mayfield. Either invest in Lamar Jackson (not likely) or roll with Trask and some no names to back him up. Either tank or commit to competing for a playoff spot. Mayfield represents neither of those options.
March 15th, 2023 at 8:39 am
With an improved defense..hopefully… and a strong offensive supporting cast, I could see Mayfield doing some damage in the playoffs. Exhibit 1: Brad Johnson. Exhibit 2: Trent Dilfer.
March 15th, 2023 at 8:39 am
Trask is at One Buc Monday thru Friday working out. That’s all we can ask of the kid. A family friend who went to school with Trask got to catch up with him this past weekend that’s how I know. I really believe Licht wants to give his second round pick a shot, and that ain’t happening if we sign Mayfield. Whatever you think of Trask, it’s at least good to know he’s a great hard working kid who’s paying his dues, and wants to be our starting QB. I think he’s going to surprise a lot of people this year in a good way.
March 15th, 2023 at 8:41 am
No QB retread, Trask or draft pic is going to lead the Bucs to the promise land this year. Stay the course Bucs. Play this year on the inexpensive. Bring in no old one year free agents. Covet thy own players if warranted. Pay off the Superbowl, help the cap pinch, save some money and balance the checkbook.
Be ready for next years sweepstakes and good things to come.
Go Bucs
March 15th, 2023 at 8:43 am
I honestly feel Brussette will be a better influence on Trask than Mayfield.
March 15th, 2023 at 8:46 am
With all these geniuses here in the comment threads, who needs a real GM? Why haven’t these genius wannabe GM commenters all been hired as GMs at Super Bowl winning teams? It’s quite the mystery.
In any event, it’s silly to moan the passing of the Tom Brady era. Everybody knew it would be short lived with Brady being 43 his first year with the team. Now back to the real world where nobody really knows how well their quarterback will play due to injury of the quarterback or the guys who protect him (remember the 2021 Super Bowl?), or the guys he throws to and hands off to.
Nobody is ever an expert on the future. Which is why nobody in the league has repeated as Super Bowl champions in 20 years, despite endless predictions that this year’s SB champion or the team with the best quarterback will also be next year’s SB champion (remember all those predictions for the Bucs each of the last two seasons, even with the GOAT under center?).
March 15th, 2023 at 8:47 am
If we roll the incapable Kyle Trask out as our starter it is a slap in the face to us as fans
March 15th, 2023 at 8:47 am
Trask is a huge unknown but they should give him a shot with the
number one offensive players in preseason and see if he can produce.
whatever veteran QB we have by then can take over if needed.
March 15th, 2023 at 8:50 am
I like Baker but he puts us in no man land… 8,9 or 10 wins. Could be fun and could win the South but never gets any better than that. Play trask and he could be good… or even beter, he could lead us to 4-13 and a total rebuild with a top 4 pick.
March 15th, 2023 at 8:54 am
#suckforsomeone
No thanks
March 15th, 2023 at 8:59 am
9 wins with baker 8 wins tom what’s wrong with that logic?
March 15th, 2023 at 9:09 am
The QB position should not be the priority now. Build a great team through the draft and occasional strategic free agency and then attract a great free agent QB or trade for one to compete for the championship- kinda like what the Bucs and Rams did the last couple of years.
Finding another Mahomes in the draft is a lottery ticket dream.
March 15th, 2023 at 9:09 am
One thing is guaranteed…. Trask needs a veteran backup in his position room. I would give Mayfield backup money knowing he is not guaranteed anything but a competition. QBs are starting to come off the board so I hope they make a move soon. Brissett does not excite me at all….. At this point I’ll take Drew Lock who at least knows the system and can help Trask. Will also come much cheaper than the other two.
March 15th, 2023 at 9:11 am
When Mayfield had a couple of descent seasons in Cleveland he had a good team around him. The Bugs are a shell of what they were. As soon as Mayfield gets sacked a couple of times he will be pointing his finger at everyone else but him. That’s why he can’t find a home he’s poison I hope he wants to much money.
March 15th, 2023 at 9:14 am
Too much talent??? That remains to be seen. The Bucs have fired the retro rockets and are deorbiting from the days of Brady and Super Bowls.
March 15th, 2023 at 9:19 am
Cooper Rush
March 15th, 2023 at 9:21 am
I would rather see Ryan or even Gabbert than Mayfield. Maybe 7 wins at best with Mayfield and perhaps 5 with Trask.
No matter who this team signs short of Rodgers, this team isn’t going anywhere this season with the current QB situation.
March 15th, 2023 at 9:22 am
Signing Dean was dumb, signing Mayfield would be smart. Banking on a #1 overall pick before the season even starts is super cowardly. Be a man.
March 15th, 2023 at 9:25 am
Carson Wentz. Go look at his stats and compare to everyone else avaialble.
He got screwed in indy, wash never game him a chance. He has the upside.
March 15th, 2023 at 9:27 am
No no no no….God no please
March 15th, 2023 at 9:27 am
8-9 wins with Baker?
That’s TB12 rare air right there!
March 15th, 2023 at 9:29 am
Baker won’t be signed
This is just fan base media blustering
Kyle Trask will be your starter in 2023
March 15th, 2023 at 9:33 am
If Mayfield signs the boo birds will be out in droves at Raymond James.
March 15th, 2023 at 9:36 am
Signing Dean is great but what about some pass rushers? Who knows about Barrett’s injury status, JTS and Logan Hall havn’t shown that they are NFL starters and where is LVD’s replacement if he doesn’t resign?
The Bucs have done nothing in free agency IMO.
Mayfield has been a below average to bad quarterback. His only upside is that he is more mobile than some of the other stiff free agent qb’s. If the Bucs are going to trying to be better on the ground, personally I want to see a QB that when all the receivers are covered and there’s a big hole up the middle can run and slide for first downs. Tom Brady ran for 2 or 3 first downs I can remember the entire time he played here.
If the receivers are covered and its a 4 man rush, there is some daylight once and awhile.
March 15th, 2023 at 9:49 am
Why the hell is anyone doing free agency grades before the contracts can even be signed? Being that how can you get a high free agency grade when you don’t have the finances. Big free agent signings are for teams that don’t draft well the majority of the time
March 15th, 2023 at 9:50 am
I can’t see them signing Mayfield. This smells agent driven. I would assume that they’ll try to bring in Drew Lock for his familiarity with Canales. Then I would imagine them bringing in an older vet QB too.
March 15th, 2023 at 9:52 am
Sign Gabbert and save money for this year
March 15th, 2023 at 9:55 am
I would rather roll with Trask than get Mayfield.
March 15th, 2023 at 9:58 am
Y’all are killing me, wasting time like if we miss out on baker mayfield that we are in trouble. We are in trouble with the dude. Please stay away! We will lose and the worst part is we may have about the same pick in the draft. And for what? He gets sacked way too much. He can’t throw over the offensive line.
March 15th, 2023 at 10:02 am
and forget what Joe’s eyes have seen in many practices.
I call BS on that. For one thing Joe can’t tell me he was hanging out on the back nine with the practice squad. #2 Joe was not interested in the #3 QB enough to devote time to watch his development. #3 and whatever Joe did see it was a such a small sample size, that it was unfair to judge him on when considering the backup players he was practicing with. I don’t understand your disdain for this young guy when you haven’t had much to evaluate him on. You’re the first one to complain about the Bucs not developing their own QB’s, So when they finally do you complain about that too. How about giving Trask some room to breathe and a vote of confidence before your tear him down?
March 15th, 2023 at 10:08 am
Wait until they sign Carson Wentz. Per my 305 source it’s happening
March 15th, 2023 at 10:15 am
Rusty Rhinos
Just say NO!!! To the #ColapseforCaleb drug. Who is to say Caleb will be a good NFL player? If you know that he will. Please put the next mega millions numbers here so we all can see.your prophecy at work.
——————
Spot on. Spot on.
March 15th, 2023 at 10:17 am
We’ve never seen Trask with the first team, throwing to Evans and Godwin. If it doesn’t work out then they’ll be in position to draft a potential franchise QB next year.
March 15th, 2023 at 10:19 am
With Brady and better team they only won 8. If they win 4 this year it will be a surprize.
March 15th, 2023 at 10:24 am
It’s ironic, an article about a failed (so far) first pick in the entire draft, and talk of collapsing/quitting/bending over the dresser for a high pick.
March 15th, 2023 at 10:28 am
I can’t shake the feeling of Mayfield being slow to pickup the new offense and only getting around that 8-9 win mark. Feels more like Bridgewater would be a better chance at 10-11 with his mobility and accuracy. Trask seems like the in between 9ish to 10 range, with probably the most upside potential in the regular season, and Bridgewater would be a better option for any playoff wins. Not really feeling the whole enchilada with any of them, though am willing to be surprised. Question is, how many, and which divisional wins is it going to take for the NFC South this year?
March 15th, 2023 at 10:29 am
Mixed reactions? As in “Bad” and “Horrible” ??
March 15th, 2023 at 10:36 am
Trask or Mayfield ain’t gonna cut it
March 15th, 2023 at 10:37 am
Trask > Mayfield
March 15th, 2023 at 10:40 am
“There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don’t know we don’t know.” (Donald Rumsfeld)
In other words, I doubt that there are any Nostradamuses on this thread.
YOU DON’T KNOW! You can’t expect the same play from any other QB after the GOAT! But, you don’t know how Trask or whoever is going to do.
March 15th, 2023 at 10:41 am
With Brock Purdy looking the way he did, and the 9ers picking up Darnold, and the jets on the verge of Rodgers, would it be possible Trey Lance or the milf hunter Wilson to be available? It’s a stretch but, maybe one of these young guys teams are about to give up on could make an impact here.
Also, bring in the epitome of Florida Man, Gardner Minshew!
March 15th, 2023 at 10:50 am
@Snookman9… I’ve been saying Wentz for a while… a lot on here are hating it but I like Wentz tangibles a bit more than Mayfield. I won’t completely bail out Wentz for his time in Indy and Washington, but every new team and/or system is an opportunity to get the career back on track. He can handle the read option, he can fling the rock… as long as he doesn’t have to carry the team, he may actually do well. Oh yeah, and he should come cheap. I think it will be telling if we pick up a Mayfield or a Wentz… it would really shows mgmt’s hand on how they feel about Trask as the starter moving forward.
March 15th, 2023 at 11:00 am
The goal is winning, not playing to draft a QB next year. Worry about next year, next year.
If Trask is QB, they’re playing to win. If it’s Mayfield or Brissett, still playing to win. Talking about collapse or tanking is LOSER talk. Players play to win. Fans watch games to root for wins. Only sports yakkers talk about tanking or collapsing.
March 15th, 2023 at 11:10 am
It doesn’t matter who is under center if we don’t work on improving the O-line. You give Trask protection, with our core group of receivers, he will thrive. We had the greatest QB of all time under center and our O-Line made him look like a third string journeyman QB. We saw this with Purdy and others. You give any QB time they will succeed. Spend money on the O -Line and DB.
March 15th, 2023 at 11:50 am
I’d def take Wentz….he’ll be cheaper, a little taller and probably better in the locker room.
March 15th, 2023 at 11:52 am
Signed
March 15th, 2023 at 11:54 am
The way the Bucs our handling FA we may be able to somehow draft out QB high this year
March 15th, 2023 at 11:54 am
are
March 15th, 2023 at 11:56 am
And there’s Mayfield
March 15th, 2023 at 11:58 am
Our* .. least Baker will push Trask
March 15th, 2023 at 12:09 pm
How can you grade free agency before it’s officially started? Yeah, I know, plenty of action has already been announced, but the first week wasn’t gonna be splashy for us this year. Anyone who thought otherwise is delusional. With that perspective, to bring back Dean and Nelson is magical. If they can find a way to get Lavonte back, I’ll be thrilled.
March 15th, 2023 at 12:17 pm
Baker Mayfield is the new starting QB for the Bucs. So much for competition for Trask. Baker will be gifted the start for 8.5 million reasons.
March 15th, 2023 at 12:19 pm
Rand Says:
March 15th, 2023 at 12:17 pm
Baker Mayfield is the new starting QB for the Bucs. So much for competition for Trask. Baker will be gifted the start for 8.5 million reasons.
^^^^^^^^
Or, he legit beats Trask out?
March 15th, 2023 at 12:20 pm
In watching a few Baker games called by Troy Aikman he absolutely skewered him relentlessly. Bad footwork, no accuracey, poor decisions with the football.. It was brutal.
I’m assuming that the Browns and Panthers saw the same.
Not optimistic, but we all knew that all in for Brady would lead to this. But it was worth it.
March 15th, 2023 at 12:22 pm
If Canales can help turn Mayfield around the way he did Geno Smith, well, that would be good.
March 15th, 2023 at 12:24 pm
Joe, You summed it all up with the sentence of, Mayfield has been dumped by 3 teams in the last 2 years. . Even a special education student can understand that.
I looked up the work DUMP. Not good guys. Not good at all. You can do better by going to your local thrift store and buying a used shirt. At least you know you gonna get some wear out of it.
March 15th, 2023 at 12:26 pm
I want to be optimistic but lots of red flags on Baker
March 15th, 2023 at 12:27 pm
Well Baker’s signing will save me a few hundred bucks next season as I will not be paying for NFL Sunday Ticket to watch this dumpster fire.
March 15th, 2023 at 12:27 pm
Brissett has been better than Mayfield – not sure why they went with Baker.
Baker is the second coming of Trent Dilfer.
But without a Super Bowl ring.
March 15th, 2023 at 12:30 pm
Up to 8.5 mill….im sure theres a lot of incentives in reaching that.
We didnt break the bank, so im cool with it. At least he can run, lol….he’s gonna need it.
And he’s durable. Lets give the guy a chance.
March 15th, 2023 at 12:36 pm
One year 4 mil with up to $8.5mil in incentives
March 15th, 2023 at 12:38 pm
I am so excited… NOT. If he thinks he as seen pressure wait until he deals with fans who have had the goat as QB.. This is going to be brutal.
March 15th, 2023 at 12:41 pm
I’m happy to tank !! Hello Caleb Williams
March 15th, 2023 at 12:48 pm
‘Joe is really trying to be positive about Trask and forget what Joe’s eyes have seen in many practices’.
Maybe you need to try harder Joe. You caveat just about everything you say about Trask with ‘what you’ve seen in many practices’. Cut the young man some slack; he was playing with Walmart greeters and Target bag boys. Besides that, he was doing what BA & BL were asking him to do, not what Dave Canales will be asking him to do.
Beyond that, just read that the Bucs signed Mayfield to a 1-year deal. Forrest Gump’s mother was right … ‘Stupid is as stupid does’.
March 15th, 2023 at 12:53 pm
He has to really stink it up to get Caleb. With our luck, I’m not optimistic. I already know we won’t make the playoffs.
March 15th, 2023 at 12:53 pm
SIGNED HIM
March 15th, 2023 at 1:09 pm
If it works great but the minute things start
going South play Trask and see what he’s got
It’s all just practice till they fire Bowles anyway
March 15th, 2023 at 1:09 pm
They were always going to be shopping in the bargain bin. Signing Dean already makes the off-season a B. Licht is going to have to use all his powers and all his skills, much like the godfathers undertaker. Just roll with Trask.
March 15th, 2023 at 1:10 pm
Obviously, Mayfield is not the answer. The guy was given a Super Bowl ready team a couple years ago in Cleveland. The only reason they underachieve was because of him. He is a perennial back up.
Trask, hasn’t even shown he can be a back up.
But that’s what they have to go with, so they should worry about building the rest of the team through youth and draft their franchise QB next year unless Trask miraculously shows he’s the second coming
March 15th, 2023 at 1:14 pm
It could have been worse, let’s give Mayfield a fair chance just like Trask. Let the competition begin
March 15th, 2023 at 1:19 pm
I love the Mayfield signing. His arm talent got him drafted 1st. He is a competitor and has playoff experience. Our OC helped revitalize a QB in Seattle. Get the LT figured out and let’s see if we can win the division. If Mayfield sucks then easy no pressure entrance for Trask. If all is bad by end of October trade players for picks. But Mayfield has upside and I like the OC.
March 15th, 2023 at 1:59 pm
If Trask wins the starting job Baker gets $4 mil.
That’s not bad for an experienced backup. If Baker wins then we know Trask is hopeless and we can move on.
If Baker has a great season we can either pay him or franchise him and trade him.
March 15th, 2023 at 2:03 pm
Make no mistake,. Baker is here because they don’t believe in Trask. I’ll bet dollars to donuts baker wins the job
March 15th, 2023 at 2:15 pm
@bucsfanfred – Franchise him? for $45 mill? Say what?
March 15th, 2023 at 2:17 pm
Neither. If, it’s looking horrendously ‘bleak’ at the Trade Deadline, THEN (before season 2024 begins) you begin moving ‘pieces’ for Draft Capital (Evans, Godwin, Shaq, Dean, Davis, maybe even White, and so on… EVERYTHING is on the table, including next years 1st-Round Pick) – Rebuild The Entire Roster (especially ‘upfront’ on both O/D-Lines). Completely. TANK in 2024 (AND 2025). Fire Bowles. Do NOT take a QB JUST to be ‘taking a QB’ with a “High-Pick” – Rebuild The Roster FIRST, & Draft THE QB you want/feel-like is BEST for the organization and what you want/and are trying to do… Maybe, It’s “MANNING!?” Inputs going to be ‘painful’ but in order to do-it ‘RIGHT’ tho, it’s gonna be a 2-3 YEAR DEAL. There is noooo reason to ‘feel-like’ you have to jump the gun Abby drafting a QB IMMEDIATELY, just ANY QB… Cause, THAT is when/where you ALWAYS, get into Trouble.
March 15th, 2023 at 2:26 pm
,2 big deals today. Apparently Joe picked the wrong day to travel.
March 15th, 2023 at 2:26 pm
Cause, the next-thing ya know is you’re drafting a QB every/or every other year and putting him in a position to totally FAIL with a shlp roster and NO O-Line, etc. And, by the time you do ‘find-one,’ & get the rest of the roster in a good-place… You HAVE TO PAY The QB, and you have NOTHING LEFT for the rest of the guys o left on the roster. THEN, there ya are, right back to where you were… Just STUCK in a never-ending ‘circle’ of mediocrity. FOREVER.
March 15th, 2023 at 2:30 pm
All the Trashk lovers are on the edge of the cliff ready to jump off.
In the immortal words of Herm Edwards, “You play to win the game’”
While the Trashk lovers say “put him out there and let’s see what we’ve got,” the Bucs have seen what they’ve got, every day in practice, for two years.
Hence the signing of Baker Mayfield.
I was negative on the dude, but saw what he did for the Rams and he changed my mind. He is the best option for the Bucs. How do I know that? Because I trust Licht. A lot more than the whiny Trashk fanboy biotches.
March 15th, 2023 at 2:31 pm
They didn’t intend to tank. They think they can win the south and host a playoff game.
March 15th, 2023 at 2:54 pm
Drafter Hendon hooker and I’ll be happy with what happens this year
March 15th, 2023 at 3:18 pm
Agree on He son if he can be had later on. We need trenches, and Devon Achane.
March 15th, 2023 at 3:18 pm
*Hendon
March 15th, 2023 at 3:25 pm
^Achane fan…oh yeah!
March 15th, 2023 at 4:54 pm
Bucs look primed for a LT to fall to 19. 4 qbs, 4wrs and the run on edge and top 3 corners. Texas RB will go before 19 but if not he would be tough to pass up.