NFL Rumors: Latest on Patriots and Buccaneers QB battles, Carson Wentz

NFL Rumors: Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask neck-and-neck in Bucs QB battle

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered training camp with a presumed No. 1 QB in Baker Mayfield, the former No. 1 pick turned NFL journeyman who split last season between Carolina and Los Angeles. In the wake of Tom Brady’s retirement, the Bucs were expected to value Mayfield’s veteran know-how, but it would appear there’s a legitimate QB competition brewing in Tampa.

Kyle Trask, the Bucs’ second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, is getting rave reviews from members of the Tampa Bay coaching staff — especially OC Dave Canales. From NFL.com:

"“The timing of the snap is really critical for us, so probably a little bit of an edge for Baker [Mayfield] to start off in terms of the smoothness of the offense. But it just took a couple of days for Kyle [Trask] 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.”"

When asked if the QB battle has tightened in recent days, Canales’ response was simple: “Oh, absolutely.” It would appear the Bucs are weighing the benefits of Baker’s stability and experience versus Trask’s higher upside. Trask only appeared in one game last season, in which he completed 3-of-9 passes. The sample size is frustratingly small, with the obvious understanding that nobody was challenging Brady’s throne over the past two years.

Mayfield is a mobile QB with some underrated improvisation skills. He can pulls rabbits out of hats, so to speak, and there is the occasional big-game potential with him. He was the No. 1 pick out of Oklahoma all those years ago for a reason. That said, Trask is bigger: 6-foot-5 with a powerful arm that he displayed frequently during his collegiate career at Florida.

The elder statesman Mayfield only completed 60 percent of his passes last season and he threw eight interceptions compared to 10 touchdowns. The numbers haven’t been great for Baker and it could behoove the Bucs to invest in the more sustainable long-term option if Mayfield isn’t blowing coaches away at camp.