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BY IRA KAUFMAN

On the brink of training camp, the 2023 Buccaneers have no shortage of questions to address.

Before traveling to Minnesota for the Sept. 10 season opener, the Bucs have several critical position duels to settle. The coaching staff also needs to closely monitor some key veterans returning from major injuries and determine which rookies are ready for prime time.

Here’s a pop quiz featuring 10 questions looming over the start of camp:

WHO’S THE QB?

Position battles don’t get any bigger than figuring out who gives you the best chance to win under center. Baker Mayfield has had some success in the league since being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft. He’s also had some injury issues and hasn’t played well since 2020. Barring an injury to Mayfield, inexperienced Kyle Trask needs a stellar camp to have a legit chance to start.

WHERE’S WHITE?

Devin White was a big-time player down the stretch during the 2020 championship season, making impact plays in the playoffs while showcasing formidable skills at inside linebacker. Now a disgruntled White is seeking a lucrative extension or a trade. The Bucs want to see more before showing him the money. Todd Bowles expects White to report on time, but there are no guarantees White will give up his only leverage.

RUNNING ON EMPTY

Rachaad White will be given every opportunity to be the featured back for a team that just finished last in rushing. Despite averaging only 28 yards per game, White hit the ground running in the offseason, exuding confidence while leading Tampa Bay in podcast appearances.

SHAQ ATTACK

After tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 8, Shaq Barrett has worked hard to regain his quickness and agility. The Bucs are 20-8 when Barrett registers at least a partial sack, but he has only 7 1-2 takedowns in his last 18 games. Barrett turns 31 in November and the Bucs crave his pass-rush acumen off the left edge.

“I’ll be ready to go, hair on fire,” Barrett says. “I can’t wait. I miss the game so much.”

ON THE FAST TRACK

First-round pick Calijah Kancey has a knack for disrupting plays in the backfield and this defense needs a jolt of energy up front. Opponents will try to capitalize on Kancey’s lack of size, but Bowles hopes to feed off his quickness. He should be fun to watch when the pads go on.

LAST CHANCE

Always be closing — that’s the mantra which should be engraved above the locker of Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. The former first-round pick has struggled to put quarterbacks on the ground and his third pro season will be consequential. Four sacks won’t cut it anymore, so this is the season he needs to make his bones as an impact pass rusher.

ROOKIE MAULER

The right guard spot is waiting for Cody Mauch — if the second-round pick is good enough to claim the job. Mauch is nasty and aggressive … traits missing all too often from the 2022 offensive line. He’s a classic Jason Licht draft choice: small school, big upside.

TIME TO SHINE

Russell Gage’s first year in Tampa was disappointing. He averaged only 8.4 yards per catch and 33 receiving yards per game as the No. 3 option behind Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. He also missed four weeks in midseason with a hamstring injury and suffered a concussion against Dallas in the playoff matchup. This season needs to be more productive.

CENTER OF ATTENTION

Despite tearing three knee ligaments on the second day of camp, Ryan Jensen toughed it out against the Cowboys in January. He sets an ornery tone up front, but he’s 32 and still has to prove he’s back to his old form.

“Some call it dumb,” he says about his gutsy return in the postseason. “But I’m a football player and football players play football.”

GOT A NICKEL?

The slot corner job is wide open now that Antoine Winfield Jr. is shifting back to his natural safety poisiton. That leaves Dee Delaney, Zyon McCollum and rookie Josh Hayes competing at a critical position.

“The nickel spot is open,” Bowles says. “We have ideas and things we have in mind that we want to see at that posiiton and we think we have some guys that can fill that spot.”

The best advice for any of these nickel candidates? Study film of new Hall of Famer Rondé Barber to see how the best to ever do it defined the position.