Buccaneers and Todd Bowles Reveal Starting Quarterback Decision Timeline
The uncertainty regarding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' quarterback situation has led many to question the direction (and quality) of the team heading into this upcoming season.
So much so that we've seen a significant number of NFL analysts, media members, and fans suggest that the Buccaneers will likely have a top-3 pick in next year's draft, due to the popular belief that they're destined to lose a lot of games in 2023.
That said, a minority group of onlookers — primarily those who have followed the Buccaneers' roster closely over the past few seasons — understand that the team simply has too much talent to find themselves in the basement of the league by the time the 2023 season wraps up.
REPORT: Mike Evans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Negotiating Contract Extension
Still, without a clear number-one quarterback declared by the team, it's tough for those defending the Bucs' outlook to form a strong argument. Without knowing who will be throwing the ball to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, it's tough to forecast how the team will capitalize on the established weapons they have in place — at least on the offensive side of the ball.
And until the team declares one of Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask as the starter, we won't be able to have a more detailed discussion about what the offense might look like.
But according to head coach Todds Bowles, we will be able to refer to the Buccaneers' QB1 by name, very soon.
When asked when the team would name their starting quarterback, Bowles obliged by providing a timeline for the final decision.
"Some time during training camp or right after there will be a decision made. It's still a competition right now. We're not going to award [anybody] in shorts and T-shirts. In any competition, there's waiting involved. You have to see who wins."
As much as it would benefit the team to name a starting quarterback as soon as possible, it makes sense that the Bucs' brass would need to see how the two signal callers, Mayfield and Trask, perform when all players are in pads.
To declare a starter before that happens would be nonsensical.
So as much as the fans in Tampa want to know who will be starting under center for their favorite team this fall, it looks like they'll have to wait a little bit longer. But the reality of the situation is, allowing training camp to unfold will provide the coaches with the most informed opportunity to make a decision.
And the Buccaneers should be better off because of it.
For continuing coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, subscribe to the Bucs Banter YouTube channel.
Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the season.
