Heading into the 2023 NFL free agent market, rumors continue to swirl that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a specific veteran quarterback in mind to compete with Kyle Trask for their starting job next season.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be a very different team in 2023. Several key veterans from their last few teams will be gone and the roster seems to be in the midst of a notable transition. That shift all started in February when NFL legend Tom Brady decided to end his career after 22 seasons and left a massive void in the Tampa Bay signal-caller spot.
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Since Brady’s surprising but not completely unexpected announcement the team’s decision-makers have made it clear that second-year player Kyle Trask was a favorite to be their starter in 2023. However, general manager Jason Licht has also said they will sign a veteran to back up and compete with the 2022 rookie.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers record (2022): 8-9, NFC South Champions
Last week, it was reported that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had Baker Mayfield and Drew Lock at the top of their QB wishlist in NFL free agency. However, new reporting from NFL Network league insider Ian Rapoport on Monday seems to point to one veteran arm having a much higher preference inside the organization.
“It’s not going to be a wild spending free agency for Tampa Bay, but they do need a quarterback and it does seem, according to sources, Baker Mayfield is at the top of the list. And for Baker, this one makes a lot of sense too. There are not a ton of legitimate real starting opportunities in the NFL for a team that may not draft a quarterback in the first round. So don’t be surprised if Baker, for the right deal, comes in here to compete with Kyle Trask and creates an interesting quarterback competition.”
– Ian Rapoport
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the 19th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and are not expected to use the selection on one of the QBs with a first-round projection in April.
After seven forgettable starts for the Carolina Panthers last season, Baker Mayfield was released and finished the season with five solid appearances for the Los Angeles Rams.