One Buccaneers' Quarterback Emerging Early During Starting Competition
Following the retirement of Tom Brady, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers started their search to find their next starting quarterback. The Bucs ultimately decided to sign Baker Mayfield out of free agency to compete with Kyle Trask in a quarterback competition to become the team's heralded leader under center.
The Buccaneers then added third-string quarterback John Wolford after not attempting to draft one in the 2023 draft. With the Bucs' quarterback room set and OTAs underway, so did the quarterback battle. The team has yet to announce whether they have named a starter or not yet, but, as former-Bucs' head coach Bruce Arians said, Mayfield might just have an edge for the starting job over the former Florida Gator quarterback, Kyle Trask.
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Arians has a bit more insight than most on the situation that is unfolding at One Buc Place, but others around the country are starting to pay a bit more attention on the race to become the Buccaneers' starting quarterback.
Appearing on SportsCenter on Sunday, ESPN's Jeff Darlington stated that the veteran QB may have an edge over Trask due to what the quarterbacks have inside them rather than how they are performing on the field.
"In general, we're hearing the words that have been used to describe Baker Mayfield since the start of his career. The positive ones, like moxie and leadership. And those are the things so far in Tampa it feels like could earn him the starting job. There is just definitely a little bit more of a vibe when I talk to people about these two quarterbacks, that Baker seems to be imposing himself. Now, Kyle Trask is still in the hunt. There is no determination on who the starter will be in this quarterback competition. But at this point, it does feel that Baker is imposing himself over the competition."
It is still a bit too early to declare either Mayfield or Trask as the starter sans-Brady, but if we follow what everyone is saying, then it appears that Baker will be the guy for the Bucs week one in Minnesota against the Vikings thanks to his confidence, moxie, leadership, and overall experience at being an NFL starting quarterback.
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This battle is far from over and there could be a change of direction in Trask's favor if he can somehow tap into the player that can outduel his opponent to prove himself that he deserves to be THE GUY, but for now, it appears to be Baker's job to lose.
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