A lot of focus this offseason has been on the quarterback position for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They have the impossible task of replacing Tom Brady, who opted to retire this offseason and has repeatedly said he has no intentions of returning to the field. If he happened to change his mind, it almost certainly wouldn’t be to return to the Buccaneers.
So, a quarterback battle has ensued this offseason. 2021 second-round pick, Kyle Trask, has been facing off with veteran free agent signing, Baker Mayfield. Trask is at a huge disadvantage experience-wise, as he has only nine career pass attempts; Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft has 72 appearances and 69 starts in five seasons.
But, there is a reason that the Buccaneers are the fourth franchise that Mayfield has been a part of in the last year. The Cleveland Browns traded him to the Carolina Panthers last offseason after acquiring Deshaun Watson to be their franchise quarterback. Mayfield was benched and released by the Panthers, finishing the season up with the Los Angeles Rams.
His performance with the short-handed Rams was enough to get the Buccaneers to bring him in to compete with Trask. While many fans and analysts aren’t too excited about the quarterback options, players on the team have shared more confidence.
One of those players is star wide receiver Mike Evans. During his youth football camp, he shared his feelings on Trask and Mayfield via Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston.
“Kyle’s improved a lot,” Evans said. “I’m really impressed with what I’ve seen from Baker. Whoever the quarterback will be, I’m positive they’re going to make the right choice and we’re going to win some games.”
Ball security is the No. 1 thing that the coaching staff is keeping an eye on throughout this quarterback battle. Offensive coordinator Dave Canales has said that the person who can take care of the ball the best will be taking over as the starting quarterback.
“Then it’s who has the most explosive plays? Yeah, that guy will get the job. Or throws the most touchdowns? That guy gets the job,” Canales said on the podcast.
With Evans still in the lineup, there will be plenty of opportunities for explosive plays. He has been one of the most consistent wide receivers in the NFL since being drafted in the first round in 2014, recording 1,000-yard seasons in all nine years he has been a pro.
