ESPN.com · Aug 22, 2023
Baker Mayfield named Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting quarterback
With one preseason game to go, Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles named Baker Mayfield their starting quarterback for the 2023 season, filling the very large shoes of Tom Brady.
Mayfield, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft who has now had stints with the Browns, Rams and Panthers, beat out 2021 second-round draft pick Kyle Trask.
General manager Jason Licht, Bowles and offensive coordinator Dave Canales all acknowledged that carrying on a lengthy quarterback competition so deep into camp would mean less reps for the eventual starter, but the Bucs felt it was necessary to give Trask a true opportunity to compete after two years behind Brady and Blaine Gabbert.
