Baker Mayfield Is Over The QB Uncertainty
August 19th, 2023
It smells like the Buccaneers’ quarterback battle officially has reached charade status as Preseason Game 2 approaches tonight.
On Wednesday, Mike Evans publicly chanted his version of end-this-thing-already. Evans wants a started named ASAP so the new QB can “take control of the offense.”
Baker Mayfield is right there with the greatest receiver in Bucs history, so he told TampaBay.com.
“…You definitely want to be in there with the ones the whole time,” Mayfield said. “… … But then that’s from a communication standpoint, it’s important even if I’m not in to make sure I’m hearing what they’re giving feedback to Kyle [Trask] and even John [Wolford] and for everybody to be on the same page. … Everybody has got to be on the same page no matter who’s in. You want the same task-driven, task-oriented mind.”
For those just getting over the loss of Tom Brady, the Bucs announced Mayfield is competing with third-year backup QB Kyle Trask, though nine days ago JoeBucsFan.com columnist reported that the Bucs internally plan to name Mayfield their starting QB.
So what does head coach Todd Bowles want? He’s not saying.
What Joe can say is that the way the Bucs cut short practice Thursday, a session that barely felt like more than a walk-through, it felt like team without urgency when it comes to seeing more from its quarterbacks. (Joe made one note from the practice, a roughly 12 yards pass from Trask to David Moore completed with a lot of zip.)
Trask will start tonight and play with a bunch of backups. Mayfield mostly likely will replace him at some point in the first half.
Then, as Joe has written, the logical end to the QB “battle” will be imminent so the Bucs can have a true dress rehearsal week for the Ravens game on Saturday, Aug. 26.
August 19th, 2023 at 5:36 am
Hate to keep beating a dead horse, but if you have 2qbs, you have none. I think we have to go with Baker, he moves better, and with our o-line problems, we need a mobile QB. Even if we had an elite QB, I think playing behind this questionable line will be a problem. If Goedke struggles this game, we will need to bring in someone.
August 19th, 2023 at 6:33 am
Bowles has told us repeatedly what his plans are regarding the QB battle Joe.
The time to complain about that is long gone.
Go Bucs!
August 19th, 2023 at 7:43 am
We’ll know after tonight’s game. Personally I’d like to see all 3 QBs play well against the Jets. Their highly-ranked defense should be a good test for our new offense.
August 19th, 2023 at 7:44 am
And I’d love to see all of our starters playing some tonight.
August 19th, 2023 at 7:45 am
I believe Ira. This is just a formality now. BM has got this wrapped up.
August 19th, 2023 at 7:53 am
NCBucfan Says: “Hate to keep beating a dead horse, but if you have 2qbs, you have none.”
You’re half right … It’s a dead horse … All teams carry 3+ quarterbacks … The last two seasons Brady and Gabbert both took snap with the starters all through preseason … As did Montana and Young … And Favre and Rodgers … And Rodgers and Love … Don’t let facts get in the way of your opinions, though.
August 19th, 2023 at 8:00 am
Seems like Joe and all the Baker Boys are nervous about Trask shining tonight, as he has all through training camp. Don’t worry, boys, the Bucs set up zero-experience-Trask to start on the road against one of the best defenses in the NFL, as opposed to starting him at home against the weaker Steelers, for a reason: to allow the Bucs to fulfill their contractual promise to Pudgy Mayfield that he would be the starter.
August 19th, 2023 at 8:06 am
You will know Baker is the QB1 when they trot him out for one series at the start of the game.
August 19th, 2023 at 8:12 am
If Bucs trade Evans in week 2 and bring in Carson Wentz are they going to say I need six weeks to prepare?
As far as Baker and the Deep ball if the timing is off it might just hit his receiver in stride and not the safety playing center field.
August 19th, 2023 at 8:27 am
HenriM, WTF, lol. So Brady and Gabbert was a QB competition. I’m talking about no concrete starter being officially named. Of course other QBs take snaps in the preseason caption obvious. I’m talking about Bowles not naming the starter yet.
August 19th, 2023 at 8:28 am
Wolford will probably plsy better than both again.
August 19th, 2023 at 8:53 am
They prolly name Baker #1 after announcing it in a team meeting Monday am
August 19th, 2023 at 8:54 am
HenriM… The more I read your comments the more irrelevant you become.
August 19th, 2023 at 8:55 am
NCBucfan – “I’m talking about Bowles not naming the starter yet.”
First, what difference does it make? Other than to give you something to cry about?
Second, Baker is a career loser, on his 4th team entering his 7th season, with a 24.5 QBR each of his last 2 seasons. He is no Montana or Favre or Rodgers, so, uh, yeeeaaah, he needs to compete for the starting job!
August 19th, 2023 at 8:58 am
If Trask throws 2 TDs tonight with no ints then what? Will they finally make him the starter so Baker can relax?
August 19th, 2023 at 9:07 am
IF KYLE TRASK OUTPLAYS BAKER MAYFIELD TONIGHT I FEEL “HE” SHOULD BE NAMED THE “STARTER” FOR THE SEASON & BEGIN PRACTICING SOLELY WITH THE OTHER STARTERS THE REST OF THE WAY…THIS COMPETITION HAS BEEN SO CLOSE, THE HOMEGROWN TALENT SHOULD WIN THE STARTING JOB OUTRIGHT & ALL DOUBTERS BE DAMNED ! BELIEVE ME, THE BUC’S WILL BE MADE PROUD THAT THEY MADE THIS DECISION AS KYLE TRASK LEADS OUR BUCCANEERS TO THE DIVISION TITLE !
August 19th, 2023 at 9:58 am
Joe – I’m not feeling like the starters will play at all during the preseason. Are you? Never heard of sitting the starters all preseason. More rest, less preparation.
August 19th, 2023 at 10:18 am
Gaytor bois always whining
August 19th, 2023 at 10:34 am
“a team without urgency” is THE definition of a Bowles lead team. We saw it all of last season and will see again in ’23. As much as some will disagree, teams take on the personality of their HC. It’s been Bowles biggest Achilles heel as a HC, and not something that will change going into his 6th season leading a team.
August 19th, 2023 at 10:53 am
Not much longer to wait. This competition has allowed Trask to improve and gain confidence, which makes us a better team. Mayfield will have plenty of reps to be ready for week 1.
August 19th, 2023 at 10:55 am
I think Joe is getting his information from a source that doesn’t have decision making power.
They want to see what Kyle can do tonight.
Mayfield is already starting his BS. The epic meltdown will follow any kind of strong performance by Trask tonight.
August 19th, 2023 at 11:27 am
Will be a lot of hurt feelings tonight, Baker is the starter, this is just for eyes now. Great play or bad, Trask doesn’t have a shot. No matter what we want, Baker is the guy and I’m going to stick beside him until Trask gets his real shot, maybe that’s next season.
August 19th, 2023 at 11:58 am
Hi Joe…
August 19th, 2023 at 12:00 pm
I think it was a smart move not to crown Baker Mayfield as our QB1 right away. Make him earn it.
Hopefully this competition has helped him to tighten up his game a little and protect the football and play smarter than he did in Carolina last season.
Either way they will name a starter after tonight’s game in NY and the Bucs will have a full 2-3 weeks to prepare for the Vikings game – which is plenty of time.
August 19th, 2023 at 1:51 pm
When Trask plays poorly tonight get ready for the “we need to see him with Godwin and Evans” excuses
August 19th, 2023 at 2:55 pm
One of these QBs is a starting NFL quarterback, the other is a mediocre kid with no experience. Mayfield is going to be number 1, at least through the bye week.
August 19th, 2023 at 3:24 pm
Baker is the QB this season! Trask will be a fine backup.
Now, let’s go and WIN our division! GO BUCS
August 19th, 2023 at 6:25 pm
Baker Mayfield didn’t earned the starting job he’s been gifted the starting job because of his popularity. Any other team in this position would name Trask the starter because he’s a young unproven guy that’s been better or equal with a guy who has been a starter for 5 years and on his 4th team in 6 years. Only bad organization and bad fan bases would think it’s a good idea to start the guy who’s on his 4th team and 6 years and still looks like a quarterback who don’t have no experience. Lol 🤣🤣