NFL Rumors: 3 QBs who could be benched between now and Week 1
By Scott Rogust
Could Baker Mayfield be in danger of being benched to start the year? Here are three who could very well be benched before Week 1.
The 2023 NFL season is not far away from getting underway. Currently, all 32 teams have begun training camp, as they look to implement their plays to use in games while determining who are the best players to fill out the 53-man roster for Week 1.
As is the case every summer, the focus of training camps is on the quarterback positions. After all, quarterback play can make or break a team’s chances of making the playoffs. Heading into the season, most QB1 positions are locked in, which can be contributed to a rather lackluster quarterback market this offseason, with the exception being Aaron Rodgers.
With over a month to go, here are three quarterbacks who are in danger of being benched before Week 1 of the 2023 season.
NFL Rumors: 3 QBs who could be benched by Week 1
3 QBs who could be benched between now and Week 1: Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had the unenviable position of replacing Tom Brady, who retired for the second time in two years. It was a bad position to be in, as the Buccaneers made the playoffs, so they weren’t selecting one of the top quarterback prospects in this year’s NFL Draft. The Buccaneers decided to go to free agency to find a signal caller, which was weak this year but signed Baker Mayfield.
While Mayfield does have the starting experience, the QB1 job isn’t being handed to him. Instead, he is competing with Kyle Trask, the second-year quarterback out of Florida. Recently, Trask received some rave reviews from offensive coordinator Dave Canales, who said that the competition has essentially tightened.
Recently, an anonymous NFL general manager called Mayfield a backup quarterback when speaking with The Athletic.
Last season, Mayfield started with the Carolina Panthers but was waived midway through the season. He was claimed by the Los Angeles Rams and showed promise in Sean McVay’s offense. In 12 games between the Panthers and Rams, Mayfield threw for 2,163 yards, 10 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while completing 60.0 percent of his passes.
The QB1 spot isn’t a given for Mayfield, and he has Tampa Bay’s preseason games to show that he’s deserving of the role.