Baker Mayfield sent fresh warning by teammate in battle to replace Tom Brady

14 June 2023 , 20:18

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Kyle Trask and Baker Mayfield have been sharing starters reps in training

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Kyle Trask has sent a word of warning to Baker Mayfield with the two quarterbacks set to battle for the starting spot this off-season.

Both Trask and Mayfield had been sharing reps in practice during OTAs, and now minicamp, with neither as of yet to separate themself as the clear-cut starter.

It would have been heavily expected that Mayfield, the former first-overall pick, would have been the choice to replace Tom Brady, however, head coach Todd Bowles has spoken highly of Trask.

And with the 2021 second-round draft pick now going into his third season, he feels ready to prove to the team why they invested in him despite already having Brady on the roster.

Speaking to the media in a press conference on Tuesday, Trask said: "I think just with the reps you get, your brain is getting more wired every single day with the concepts and where your eyes need to be. The progress is coming along little by little every day and I’m feeling very comfortable grabbing the gist of the offense.

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"It’s been such a huge leap for me, in my opinion, just to get all of the concepts down and playing with more confidence. Mistakes are going to happen – that’s part of football. It’s our job as quarterbacks to limit those mistakes and give our team the best chance to win in the end."

Although Mayfield is still the more likely candidate to start on day one - having much more experience than Trask - worrying footage of him missing simple throws has emerged on two different occasions this off-season and showing that his recent troubles might still be hampering him.

Buccaneers quarterback Kyle Trask is in a battle with Baker Mayfield for the starting spot

Mayfield, the former Oklahoma Sooners star, was praised for his accuracy, being his calling card when he entered the league and proving that in his rookie season with the Cleveland Browns. But from there, he began to struggle and was eventually traded after the team made the controversial move for Deshaun Watson. He then made before brief spells with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams.

After Brady announced his retirement, the Buccaneers were seen as a perfect landing spot for a quarterback, having elite weapons at wide receiver and a strong offensive line.

However, the team did not land a big name this off-season, with Aaron Rodgers, Lamar Jackson and Derek Carr all available. Instead, they signed Mayfield to a one-year deal.

The Bucs are now seen as a team who could be drafting first overall next season. The loaded 2024 NFL Draft could hold their next long-term quarterback, should both Mayfield and Trask struggle, with Caleb Williams and Drake Maye set to be eligible.

Charlie Wilson