02 August 2023 , 18:39
923
0
Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales admits quarterback Baker Mayfield has competition from Kyle Trask for the starting spot.
Mayfield, 28, signed a one-year contract with the team early in the offseason after leaving the Los Angeles Rams as a free agent. With Tom Brady retiring earlier in the year, the Buccaneers ' quarterback position was up for grabs, which likely appealed to the former number-one overall pick.
With Blaine Gabbert, who backed up Brady over the last three seasons, also leaving to join the Kansas City Chiefs, the role was wide open for Mayfield. However, Trask, the third-string quarterback a year ago, is now challenging for the spot.
He has only played one game during two seasons since being drafted by the Bucs in 2021. Despite their differing experience, Canales is clear that the gap between Mayfield and Trask in the team's estimations is tightening.
Both have been working alternating days with the first-team offense during training camp. “First couple of days, I think the experience that Baker brings - just playing in games, being in camps, going through installs - you could see where the offense was jelling really well,” Canales told reporters on Tuesday.
Joe Burrow backs Patrick Mahomes after Kansas City Chiefs reach Super Bowl
“The timing of the snaps and all that is really critical for us, so probably a little bit of an edge for Baker to start off, just in terms of the smoothness of the offense." However, the advantage of being a veteran is beginning to reduce.
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Mayfield has seemed set to replace the recently-retired Brady (Getty)“It just took a couple of days for Kyle to really settle in, and then what we saw is, the last two practices, Kyle really showed what he can do: stretching the field with his arm, getting the ball out quickly, making decisions. So I’m really excited about both of those guys and the progression that they’ve made throughout the last couple of days.”
Mayfield will not be walking into a starter role despite being a standout off-season addition to the team. However, his comments coming into camp made clear his confidence about this latest landing spot.
“I am here now, and I am ready to go. This team - you talk about skeptics and what the narrative is around this team - I think it speaks to our veterans and the people that were a part of the run to the Super Bowl and the success that they have had recently, more so than me.
“I will always have a chip on my shoulder. That is how I approach every day, but it is good to be around a room and a group who has had that success and continues to have that mentality as well. It is a good fit, but we are going to write our own story.
“You cannot carry on anything from the past years. You might internalize and think about it, but nothing translates to the next year."