Did John Spytek Tip The Bucs’ Future Plans At Quarterback?
August 21st, 2023
Assistant GM John Spytek.
Very interesting words from Bucs assistant general manager John Spytek during second worthless preseason game on Saturday night.
On the WFLA-TV Channel 8 broadcast — after the highlight of the show, a wonderful Howard Stern/Baba Booey blast on a hot mic — Spytek was discussing scouting young players and the Bucs’ plans at quarterback.
Bucs icon Rondé Barber, the game analyst alongside Chris Myers, asked Spytek in a roundabout way how the team decided to bring in Baker Mayfield this offseason.
Spytek gave a rather eyebrow-raising answer on the future of Bucs quarterbacks.
“When we signed Tom [Brady] three years ago, he was 42,” Spytek began. “So we knew it wasn’t going to be forever. We tried to have a plan in place until this season is going to be done.”
Well now. Spytek using the phrase “until this season is going to be done” is very interesting.
The Bucs apparently have no locked in plan for next year because of their quarterback position.
This sort of backs up what Joe written for months: Mayfield was signed as a low-risk/high-reward kind of quarterback. If Mayfield doesn’t play well, then the Bucs go out and draft a quarterback. If he plays strong football, he’s probably the quarterback for the long-term.
Spytek added that when Mayfield came out in the draft, the Bucs had him highly graded. So it was only natural that the Bucs would have interest in Mayfield when he was available after Brady retired.
August 21st, 2023 at 8:29 am
Just tank!!
August 21st, 2023 at 8:40 am
Or they were looking four years ahead, back when Brady was signed at age 42 ….. I really dunno
August 21st, 2023 at 8:41 am
this is the post brady cap recovery season…it is what it is…
now if baker heats up he could be a long term option…
it’s not often you have the number one draft pick have a major career leak – to the point of direly needing a career reset – or he’s a one and done type this year…
so we are lucky to have the guy at this point – it’s like he fell into our lap and yeah it’s 50/50 whether he resets, settles in, and succeeds – but heck, it is a possibility…
i think it’ll be interesting from a qb perspective this year…for both he and geno smith…i think both are heavily under the microscope with question marks
August 21st, 2023 at 8:42 am
Then why draft Trask at all?
August 21st, 2023 at 8:44 am
Baker is garbage
August 21st, 2023 at 8:54 am
Trask has improved from inactive to solid backup QB.
Mayfield is uninjured, has had his 1st full off season in 2 years and has playoff experience.
The QB situation is not bad.
The backup OLine and RB situations are alot worse
August 21st, 2023 at 8:54 am
A Bucs Fan Says:
August 21st, 2023 at 8:42 am
Then why draft Trask at all?
————-
They drafted Trask in 2021… how does your question relate to Mayfield signing in 2023 other than Trask didn’t show enough in 2021 and 2022 to be gifted a starting job?
August 21st, 2023 at 9:02 am
garbage year, so why not keep the garbage coach?
makes sense
August 21st, 2023 at 9:04 am
Joe: “Spytek added that when Mayfield came out in the draft, the Bucs had him highly graded. So it was only natural that the Bucs would have interest in Mayfield”
What a horribly unprogrssive approach. There are more first round busts than not. Why would Licht and Spytek let their 4+ yr old notes overshadow the actually product over the past 4 yrs? SMH
August 21st, 2023 at 9:08 am
Probably 50% of the starting QBs in the NFL are on short leashes … except they don’t really know it! It always “what have you done for me lately?” GM’s, HC’s are like corporations, they really don’t care about their employees. Their only concern is about self preservation. If Mayfield starts and plays well, he keeps playing and maybe gets a multi-year deal. If not, then Trask gets a fake shot until the end of the season, then they draft someone else. As fans, we’re kidding ourselves if we believe in any team being loyal to their fans. If teams are willing to deal away 1st round picks, do you think they really care about second rounders? I don’t mean that in a bad way against Trask because I think he has talent. It’s just the way things are in sports.
August 21st, 2023 at 9:12 am
The true failure of the organization was not taking more time to develop Trask while Brady was there.
It was Brady who wanted a tonne of reps and insisted onGabbert as his number 2 on game day and the team basically did everything he wanted.
As such Trask got very few reps or live action with the ones and it stunted his development.
He is finally showing he has the toolbox to be a starting calibre player but unfortunately Baker came cheap with a high pedigree experience and a playoff win under his belt.
He is in his prime as well. There is a case to be made that last year alot of his failure was out of his control. Came late to a bad offense without enough time to really get the system down. Then got hurt and then released. His stint was ok with the Rams but again came to a team with no preparation. No weapons and no offensive line at that point.
I am a Bucs fan. Whoever starts I will root for. Bowles strikes me as the type while is very conservative delete his exotic defenses. He thinks Mayfield gives him the best chance to win.
Both QBs are unknowns at this point.
I for one prefer the argument of starting trash because if he succeeds you have your franchise quarterback already and can now look into the future for drafting at other positions to restock this team.
If he fails chances are you will have a record poor enough to draft one of the top two or three quarterbacks in this coming draft that is quite deep at the position. It might even give Todd Bowles another year given that if the failure is due to the quarterback play there is a built-in excuse.
If you go Baker Mayfield and the team is just mediocre with another seven or eight win season then the question is what happens to this roster. Clearly it would be an example that he is not our future quarterback. We will likely not be in position to draft a great one and chances are the Todd Bowles is then fired and we go into deep rebuilding mode. By the time we then get our franchise quarterback some of our top players will be out of their prime and we will be starting over again as a bottom team for many years to come.
If Baker does very well and somehow he plays like he did in his third season with the Browns and we win 10 games or so and make the playoffs that would be fantastic but he then may price himself high enough that we may not fully be able to afford him and fill all the other needs we might have in free agency next year.
At least for the next two years Trask would be the cheapest option and if he did well this year we could then give him a new long-term deal.
If I was to make a bold prediction it would be the Baker Mayfield starts the season and either through poor play or injury Trask ends up coming in. He then takes over the job and looks good doing it. Unfortunately it will be too late in the season to salvage the year but will give us hope for the following year at the position.
This is a Bucs life!
August 21st, 2023 at 9:13 am
It’s all about the Oline and Dlines.
Everything else is a secondary issue. No pun intended.
August 21st, 2023 at 9:25 am
Applause^^^^^^^^^
Football games are won and lost at the point of attack in the trenches.
August 21st, 2023 at 9:32 am
Coaches responsible for developing young players when they are sitting is such and overrated and BS argument.
What Trask not allowed to listen in on meetings or something for 3 years?? Leftwhich and Arians were focused on trying to win this team a Superbowl. Which they ultimately did.
All coaches around the league are completely focused on the starting QBs and even the backup QBs not the street clothes ones.
The reality is that most young players who develop into good/great players do that by putting in the extra work on their own time, these guys are not little leaugers they know (or at least should know) how to get better and learn from behind the scenes.
So the Trask “was not properly developed” by the former staff is such an overrated argument.
August 21st, 2023 at 9:36 am
Spytek We tried to have a plan in place until this season is going to be done.”
I take this to mean that’s when they wanted Trask to be ready to start.
August 21st, 2023 at 9:36 am
I believe Trask was mismanaged in his first two years….and for that, I blame BA.
It seems to me that Trask lost valuable experience and reps by being relegated to the 3rd string position behind Gabbert.
What good is Gabbert doing us now…..none.
Trask appears to be ready to play despite this….he very well could have been our starter this year with the signing of Mayfield unnecessary.
August 21st, 2023 at 9:37 am
No use in putting any meaning to the garbage being spewed by the Bucs, we just need to watch this whole mess play out.
August 21st, 2023 at 9:40 am
They are not Tanking but had little options with the Cap ..If tanking you do not sign Mayfiled and just roll with Trask , Wolford and a undrafted rookie.
August 21st, 2023 at 9:52 am
If Trask wasn’t a former Gator nobody would be calling for him to start.
August 21st, 2023 at 9:52 am
There’s nothing new here. Spytek sounds to me like he does not expect to win big this year but is waiting to see how the QBs do. As far as looking at young QBs in college or around the league, you ALWAYS are doing that because even if you have a franchise guy you don’t know that he will be here next year. But we all know that.
August 21st, 2023 at 9:56 am
Well Joe, God forbid. If Baker tanks early and Trask comes in and does well does that mean we draft anyway a new signal caller? I know it was only one game but Trask showed me he is completely different under center ever since Canales arrived. He is working wonders with this kid, emphasis on kid. He had no chance of growth under BA. When you guys get together on your Podcast all three of you have touched on this. Trask always sulked during practices, I see through you guys a changed quarterback, definitely for the better. GO CANALES!
August 21st, 2023 at 9:56 am
Baker may be injury prone. Time will tell. Bucs are actually in a pretty good position. Two relatively low cost qbs with decent ability throwing the ball. Trask is this years surprise. After being ignored while an aging Brady had a dismal last season, Trask has been the big surprise this year. He stands much taller than Baker and so far has been more effective throwing deep. I thing qb is the least of the Bucs problems. The O line may be their biggest issue. So far Trask has shown good mobility shifting the pocket to slow down the rush and using his height to spot open receivers. By contrast Baker has tended to throw shorter dump off passes in the rather limited playing time he has had. I would like to see Trask get the start but qb is not the Bucs biggest problem. I think the Oline and defensive backs are a bigger issue than who starts at qb. Both lack quality backups and some as yet unproven starters who may or may not be good enough.
August 21st, 2023 at 10:01 am
John McCay said on why he started Doug Williams “that QB don’t learn nothing on the bench but how to drink kool aid”. The only way a QB learns is playing in the game. Arron Rogers sat behind Farve he went 6-10 his first year.
August 21st, 2023 at 10:03 am
Good Lord, you people are worse than Bible scholars who try to find three different meanings in every word spoken.
And anyone who says tank should change teams. You suck.
August 21st, 2023 at 10:07 am
The Bucs have a dead cap year and need to find a QB this season before they go into next year’s draft and free agent market. It’s pretty simple really. Either QB has a chance to prevent them from drafting a top QB prospect and getting a long term deal.
Ideally one of these guys shows they can put up 5 great years here because the team would be much better off using the 1st round elsewhere.
August 21st, 2023 at 10:17 am
Cant wait for next season SMDH….
August 21st, 2023 at 10:17 am
Interesting that so much focus has been on the Buccaneers deficiencies. That’s reasonable since we are the fans. But so much of this assumes that other teams, are opponents, don’t have these issues. At least 2/3 of the teams in the NFL have questionable quarterback situations. There were only two or three teams that have highly rated offensive lines. About three quarters of the teams in the NFL have very unsatisfactory backup situations on the defensive line and in the secondary. These are not problems. You need to the Buccaneers. Yet we assume that our franchise is incompetent, no, having one two super bowls puts us at least at the median of the NFL. Most of the issues we have right now are a product of the salary cap and the GM’s desire to go for broke for the super bowl. We still have a nucleus of really good players and just had what looks to be a pretty damn good draft. Yet. Buccaneers fans look at it as a glass. Half empty not half full. We had three pretty amazing years and should be grateful that we have one of the best general managers in the league and that we might have a couple of mediocre years coming, the management that counts is quite competent and can be trusted.
August 21st, 2023 at 10:21 am
I recall reading here – I believe Joe said it – that after the Jets game, Bowles would be announcing that Mayfield is the starter. What happened? 😛
August 21st, 2023 at 10:33 am
I’m not an expert by any mean’s but, what was the reason Tom Brady had such a rough season and has it been corrected?
August 21st, 2023 at 10:35 am
Yeah because fan boy Gerald Mccoy wanted them to sign his former collegiate qb we was never REALLY interested let’s be honest here lol
August 21st, 2023 at 10:39 am
Maybe in a few weeks the present will catch up to Spytek. He is still having wet dreams about Brady.
Trask was drafted in case Brady walked. In stead Brady just hung on and Trask was forgotten.
Now Trask has a reason for hope. There was none for his first three years because Brady could go 0-17 and still be the starter.
Duh Baker might pull a Fitzmagic, but I doubt it will even be that good because his history is pretty dismal.
That history almost guarantees that Trask should be the starter, if not now, then after the bye. The longer after that that he sits, the hotter Hot Toddie’s seat is going to get.
August 21st, 2023 at 10:43 am
Logical.
What’s the plan at head coach ?
August 21st, 2023 at 10:50 am
This is getting tedious and Jose here is just pushing buttons and laughing (maybe) at us. Gonna be a tough 2 weeks after this Friday waiting on that first game. I’m wishing there was more meaninglessness Labor Day weekend so I can get my fix.
August 21st, 2023 at 10:52 am
Below is a list of all the first round QB’s selected since 2013. I omitted this year because none have played in a regular season NFL game.
Doesn’t take a genius to surmise that despite the sprinkling of a few stars most have been less than franchise saviors.
Some of you here wish the Bucs would tank to grab a first round “star” in the 2024 draft. And some, in both the media and here, have proclaimed Kyle Trask to be a failure.
But there’s one thing you’re overlooking, the failures below were given one thing Trask has yet to receive—a chance to prove what they can or cannot do.
As a late second round pick, none of us knows how Trask will play in multiple real game situations, including the coaches and GM.
Brock Purdy comes to mind.
As the old saying goes; be careful what you wish for. Lots of broken dreams are still wafting around NFL cities from the failures below …
2013—EJ Manuel 16th pick
2014—Blake Bortles 3rd, Johnny Manziel 22nd, Teddy Bridgewater—32
2015—Jameis Winston—1, Marcus Mariota—2
2016—Jared Goff-1, Carson Wentz—2, Paxton Lynch—26
2017—Mitchell Trubisky—2, Patrick Mahomes—10, Deshaun Watson—12.
2018—Baker Mayfield—1, Sam Darnold—3, Josh Allen—7, Josh Rosen—10, Lamar Jackson—32
2019—Kyler Murray—1, Daniel Jones—6, Dwayne Haskins—15.
2020—Joe Burrow—1, Tua Tagovailoa—5, Justin Herbert—6, Jordan Love—26
2021—Trevor Lawrence—1, Zach Wilson—2, Trey Lance—3, Justin Fields—11, Mac Jones—15.
2022— Kenny Pickett—20
August 21st, 2023 at 10:54 am
Some of you want to tank (stooopid) and others think the Super Bowl is in reach (almost as stupid). Everyone is worried about the middle position with 7-8 wins. Based on what I’ve been able to see after 2 worthless games, that is likely where we will wind up.
The worse running attack in the league, a poor OL and a pretty good defense. Mayfield or Trask, I doubt if a good Brady could change that a lot.
August 21st, 2023 at 10:57 am
I love that we talk next year we’ll draft a QB, blah blah, well, most good QBs go in the top 3, we probably won’t be there, then some project type QBs in the top 12, we may be a 7-9 type team, which may or may not be in top 12, so our option may be like a 4th qb on the board type guy, SAVIOR!!!!
August 21st, 2023 at 10:57 am
Predicting Mayfield the starter but Trask played his best game against the Jets. WWill be Mayfield’s backup but I think Mayfield will be on somewhat of a short leash. Also Tucker should be #2 behind White with Brown third. Vaughn will be lucky to make team. Hasn’t shown me anything since being with the Bucs.
August 21st, 2023 at 11:05 am
Baker Mayfield looks more like a drinking buddy than an NFL quarterback
August 21st, 2023 at 11:09 am
Jack Burton: “Jose”. That just made me spit out my coffee.
August 21st, 2023 at 11:45 am
I think this article is taking the conversation out of context. Spytek was referring to Tom Brady’s contract. The Bucs had plans for Brady’s return for 1 more year. which was this year so when Brady retired they had to look for an alternative for this year.
August 21st, 2023 at 11:53 am
Bowles does not care who the quarterback is. He has made it clear he plans to run the ball, and stack up turnovers-two things this team hasnt done since he has been here. Yet one more coach to fall by the wayside of this franchise for once again doing nothing to develop a franchise signal caller. Defensive head coaches are a liability in this league, and its little surprise when a team goes to a young offensive mind for their hires versus an experienced defensive mind. Hopefully Team Glazer learns this lesson.
August 21st, 2023 at 11:57 am
Spytec is just saying what we all knew the day Baker was signed. We already knew Mayfield was likely to win the starters job just on experience. We already knew the leash would be short and Trask would be inserted out of desperation if needed. We already knew that if either one of them succeeded quarterback becomes a less critical need and if neither shines…we’d have a high draft pick.
I’m hoping we have the flexibility to sign a center or a linebacker with our first rounder next spring cuz we’ll see we already have a QB.
August 21st, 2023 at 12:04 pm
Why draft Trask and not start him? Makes no sense especially since at the very least he’s on par with Baker. And be real, he’s outplayed half baked. If Bowles was sold on Baker he would’ve said he’s the starter by now, why wait?
August 21st, 2023 at 12:04 pm
No news being broken here.
August 21st, 2023 at 12:13 pm
Maybe Joe is a secret spy for the Noles imbedded at JBF world hq?
A Nole mole?
August 21st, 2023 at 12:15 pm
Prediction: Bucs go w Baker and Trask goes on to win multiple Superbowls w another team? It is a Bucs life remember?
August 21st, 2023 at 12:27 pm
BA’s Red Pen Says:
“If Trask wasn’t a former Gator nobody would be calling for him to start.”
I’m a Noles fan and want Trask to start.
August 21st, 2023 at 12:39 pm
Trask played very well, I would like to see him start.
August 21st, 2023 at 1:14 pm
Giving two Trask a ton of reps during Brady’s time would have come at the expense of having a functional backup
August 21st, 2023 at 1:26 pm
“I’m not an expert by any mean’s but, what was the reason Tom Brady had such a rough season and has it been corrected?”
Just #BlameLeftwhich and Leftwhich only – Every casual fan who doesn’t know what they’re watching.
August 21st, 2023 at 1:45 pm
This season is already ‘done for’. It will become apparent to the irrationally exuberent when it starts. It is a long long way to contenting again.
August 21st, 2023 at 2:06 pm
All this complaining and the Bucs haven’t even gotten out of the gate yet. Let’s give Mayfield a few weeks, if he flops play Trash . If they both suck draft a QB. Love all the overreaction. This team is two years removed from a Superbowl with a pretty good defensive core, good db’s and a decent O line. I am optimistic.
August 21st, 2023 at 2:08 pm
And a great receiving corp as well.
August 21st, 2023 at 2:10 pm
I know HC Grover, Let’s have a spelling contest.
August 21st, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Anyone Play the Fantasy Football?
Baker is projected to put up 243 fantasy points this year. Has a 59% probability of injury and missing at least 2 Quarters. It is also projected he misses 2.4 games due to injury.
Ranked as High Risk.
Hope he stays healthy but am glad Trask got some work in with the starters just in case.
Minnesota Defensive Line goes 6’3 to 6’6 and 270 to 343 lbs with Edge Rushers that collapse the pocket inward and contain the roll outs.
Let Baker Bake. It will certainly be Hot enough. Going to be be a good Test for any QB.
August 21st, 2023 at 3:05 pm
This is why I along I have suspected Licht was tanking. Baker Mayfield when much better options were available…You kiddin me? And they know Trask is a career backup at best. Defense will keep us in a few games. But not nearly enough. 6 wins at best.
August 21st, 2023 at 3:29 pm
Trask is the prototype at QB. He’s got the size, the arm and yes the mobility it would seem. He was the Heisman trophy runner up for Gods sake. And his college receivers haven’t exactly blown up in the NFL. Kyle Pitts was amazing in college but some of that appears to be Trask throwing him a lot of catchable balls. Mayfield has already had his chance to show what he can do in the pros. I’m all for finding out what Trask can do
August 21st, 2023 at 3:35 pm
Some of you fellas love being miserable tank??it’s August 21st play a meaningful game first
August 21st, 2023 at 4:04 pm
It’s getting delusional here.
Gus, do you reliase that just because Kyle Pitts and Tony have only been average in the NFL doesn’t mean that they weren’t absolute freaks in college?
Sorry to break it to you but the SEC is not the NFL. Plenty of great college athletes were duds in the pros.
August 21st, 2023 at 4:48 pm
i think they take a QB either way. it’s not like the rookie should be thrust into the lineup right away anyway, necessarily
August 21st, 2023 at 4:54 pm
” If Mayfield doesn’t play well, then the Bucs go out and draft a quarterback. If he plays strong football, he’s probably the quarterback for the long-term.”
Umm, isn’t that the case with all Quarterbacks?????
August 21st, 2023 at 7:01 pm
My prediction for this season? The offense struggles for the first four weeks due to bad Oline play which leads to bad QB play. The defense however plays well but it’s not enough to consistently carry the offense. By week 5 or 6 the Oline gels and the offense turns the corner. Right about then the defensive secondary is hit with the injury bug. Even though the offense has improved they can’t outscore opponents. We win some close ones but lose more than we win because our division is weak. They win just enough to put them out of position to draft a franchise changing QB. We go into full on rebuild mode. It’s a bucs life.
August 21st, 2023 at 9:48 pm
Buccos Says:
August 21st, 2023 at 3:29 pm
Trask is the prototype at QB. He’s got the size, the arm and yes the mobility it would seem. He was the Heisman trophy runner up for Gods sake. And his college receivers haven’t exactly blown up in the NFL.
Good point. I actually think that the best position coach in the NFL right now might be Trask’s college coach, Brian Johnson.
I think that coach is an it guy. Who understands football better than just about everyone else. It really was the guy that I wanted the Bucs to get over David Canales for OC this year.
However, Philadelphia offered him the same gig so I understand why he took that one.
If Bowles fails, I hope we offer the dude the head coaching job for the Bucs.