Kyle Trask has tightened gap in Buccaneers QB competition

Keep an eye on this Tampa Bay quarterback competition. Kyle Trask isn’t allowing Baker Mayfield to be a lock decision for the starting job.

No doubt, it’ll be a difficult year for whoever earns the starting spot. Why? The starter always will be known as the guy who followed Tom Brady, who retired on Feb. 1.

The Bucs signed Mayfield, a former Heisman winner and the top pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, in the off-season. And Mayfield is competing with Trask, the Bucs’ second-round selection in the 2021 draft. Both quarterbacks are from Texas. And both left the state to play college football. Mayfield dazzled at Oklahoma, while Trask starred at Florida.

Given Mayfield has started for the Browns, Panthers and Rams in his career, you’d think he’d have the advantage. But Tampa offensive coordinator Dave Canales said Trask is in play, too. When asked if the race is tightening, Canales replied “oh, absolutely.”

Then he explained his assessment. “It has been good,” Canales told reporters before Tuesday’s workout. “The first couple of days, the experience that Baker brings just playing in games, being in camps, going through installs, you can see where the offense was gelling really well.

“The timing of the snap is really critical for us, so probably a little bit of an edge for Baker to start off in terms of the smoothness of the offense,” the OC said. “But it just took a couple of days for Kyle to really settle in. And then what we saw in the last two practices, Kyle really showed what he can do, stretching the field with his arm, getting the ball out quickly, and making decisions.

“I am really excited about both of those guys and the progression that they have made throughout the last couple of days.”

New #Bucs OC Dave Canales said Baker Mayfield may have had a slight edge in QB competition after first 2-3 days of camp, but said Trask really has come on recently. pic.twitter.com/eczAgZQMc2

— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) August 1, 2023

Tampa coach Todd Bowles told reporters that he’s looking for one thing to decide the starting QB job between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask.

“Their No. 1 responsibility is don’t turn the ball over,” Bowles said Tuesday night. “And (Trask) has been doing a good job of not turning it over.”

The Tampa Times said Mayfield and Trask are alternating days with the first-team offense. Trask has stayed turnover-free for three straight practices. Meanwhile, rookie cornerback Keenan Isaac intercepted Mayfield during Tuesday’s workout. Mayfield also posted the most spectacular play — a 50-yarder to Deven Thompkins.

Bowles also has indicated that Trask and Mayfield will get one start each in the first two exhibition games. The coaches don’t yet have a plan for the final preseason game. Mayfield, with 71 career NFL starts, is by far the more experienced of the two. Trask has only one appearance.

Canales said: “I think what we’re seeing is, we’re seeing a couple of guys who both have to put themselves in that starter mind frame going into the practices knowing, ‘Hey, today’s my day. I get to run with the (starters). I get maybe a few more reps.’ It’s pretty much even, even when we go ones and twos, the way we do it. But I see the two guys really challenging each other.”