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Buccaneers' HC Likes What He Sees From Baker Mayfield After First Day of OTAs

Bucs' head coach, Todd Bowles, spoke briefly on what he's seen from QB Baker Mayfield following the team's first day of OTAs.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers organized team activities (OTAs), began on Tuesday and will continue for a nine-week period that will then be followed up by their mandatory minicamp that occurs June 13-15.

The Bucs' voluntary nine-week OTAs will take place in three phases throughout May 23-25, May 30-31, June 2, June 5-6, and June 8.

  • Phase One consists of the first two weeks of the program with activities limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation only.
  • Phase Two consists of the next three weeks of the program. On-field workouts may include individual or group instruction and drills, as well as plays with offensive players lining up across from offensive players and defensive players lining up across from defensive players, conducted at a walk-through pace. No live contact or team offense vs. team defense drills are permitted.
  • Phase Three consists of the next four weeks of the program. Teams may conduct a total of 10 days of organized team practice activity, or "OTAs". No live contact is allowed, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted.

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With the first practice of the season completed, Buccaneers' head coach, Todd Bowles, spoke briefly about what he has seen from new quarterback Baker Mayfield in which he was coy, while also adding that Baker is picking things up well and is making progress.

"He's picking up the scheme well, he's doing all of the necessary things well individually and he's making progress," said Bowles.

Mayfield is coming into the Bucs' locker room after splitting time with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams last season. Prior to 2022, Mayfield began his career with the Cleveland Browns.

There has been a consensus amongst those in the NFL that Bake's best days may be behind him, but the Buccaneers and their staff believe that Mayfield could regain his former level of play given the right situation and opportunity.

The Buccaneers' front office and staff have it clear, however, that Mayfield will not just be handed the starting quarterback spot, but instead will have to battle it out with third-year quarterback, Kyle Trask to earn the title.

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It is just the first day, but from listening to Todd Bowles it seems that Baker is putting in all the necessary work to give himself the best chance to become the Buccaneers' starter in 2023.

Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the offseason.

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