Jason Licht References Minimum Three-Week Timetable For Quarterback Battle Scrunity
July 25th, 2023
Kyle Trask
So when will Baker Mayfield get the damn ball? Or will he get the ball at all?
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht touched on that this morning.
Joe will have more from Licht later on the Bucs’ competing quarterbacks, but the GM is adamant it’s a legit competition between third-year man Kyle Trask and Mayfield. In fact, Licht is excited about it, just like Joe and most Bucs fans.
“I’m looking forward to how hyperfocused we’re going to be on those practices here at the beginning of camp, for the first few weeks at least. Just to see who takes the next step forward,” Licht said, emphasizing that anything can happen.
The first training camp practice starts tomorrow, and the three-week mark is the first of two back-to-back practices against the Jets in New Jersey. Those will be scripted affairs against a good defense, the ideal way for Todd Bowles to evaluate his QBs.
Joe thinks it’s no coincidence that Licht dropped the “first few weeks” line. The Bucs should have their starting QB when those Jets-Bucs practices end on Aug. 17.
July 25th, 2023 at 1:54 pm
Doesn’t seem like Todd and Jason are on the same page here.
July 25th, 2023 at 1:56 pm
The Bucs are the only team in the NFL who’s running a QB competition.….you give the keys to the veteran with 70 career starts and if he sucks in comes Trask it’s that simple.
It’s hard to tell if this a college or pro team under Bowels/Canales.
July 25th, 2023 at 1:59 pm
May the best man win, period.
July 25th, 2023 at 2:04 pm
Joe … ‘The GM is adamant it’s a legit competition between third-year man Kyle Trask and Mayfield. In fact, Licht is excited about it, just like Joe and most Bucs fans.’
Hmmm, and here I was thinking that you didn’t believe that there actually was a legitimate QB competition Joe. Not sure what gave me that impression though. Perhaps the 10,000 articles that’ve appeared on JBF in which you’ve stated that it was already Baker’s job? Nah that couldn’t have been it.
July 25th, 2023 at 2:18 pm
@DR perhaps that’s what Joe meant when he shared a story about “misdirection season” two days ago? That Licht isn’t being totally truthful?
Either way I don’t believe they are on the same page at this point. It’s probably because Lichts job is safe and Todd’s is not.
July 25th, 2023 at 2:19 pm
Why are posters here so upset by this thought? What’s the freaking rush?
AGAIN…The S.F. Niners had not one, not two, but THREE QB’s who are NFL level backs…at least they hope Trey Lance makes the grade. The Niners gave up 3 FIRST ROUND picks and a 3rd rounder to get Lance. He is currently 4-4 in his career, in fairness handicapped by injuries. Still there is chatter out of the Bay area that this may be Lance’s final year. How the F can you EVER give up on a QB that cost THREE first round picks. Garrapolo came in last year after Lance got hurt and did well…7-3 before he got hurt…then only the 2nd MR Irrelevant QB last pick in the draft came in and went 5-0 including the playoffs. That’s THREE different QB’s who started for S.F. and the last one had the best record.
If the competition is close then of course Mayfield’s experience wins out but it doesn’t mean Trask is a loser…see Rich Gannon’s career. The Bucs MIGHT have TWO decent QB’s. I realize that is heresy among the many fans here who seem to suffer from battered wife syndrome!
July 25th, 2023 at 3:11 pm
Come on now. There is no ‘battle’. All hype
July 25th, 2023 at 3:25 pm
Can’t wait to watch the preseason games.
You really don’t know until both QBs perform under the lights with the first teamers against first teamers…
Let the best man win. I am hopeful Trask can step up and win it but I would put my money on Mayfield.
July 25th, 2023 at 3:40 pm
@ stpete
“If the competition is close then of course Mayfield’s experience wins out but it doesn’t mean Trask is a loser”
Exactly… I hope to see both QBs performing well and making it difficult on the coaches to pick the starter.
That would be the best outcome for the team.
July 25th, 2023 at 3:48 pm
We need Winston back. I miss all of the 40 TDs he threw.
July 25th, 2023 at 4:11 pm
Considering Mayfield’s and Trask’s skill sets are somewhat different. Trask is a tall pocket passer statue QB and Mayfield is supposed to be mobile enough for offensive coordinators to use it to his advantage namely to offset how he’s kinda short. Maybe they find room on the football field each of them. There has to be situations that favor one or the others skill sets.
July 25th, 2023 at 4:29 pm
Doesn’t matter who starts, I’m telling you both QBs will have to play this year. Mayfield will start, but he rarely finishes, look at his record. Injury, benched, or both has been Mayfield’s career. Trask will have to play at some point, count on it.
July 25th, 2023 at 4:34 pm
Jason Licht-
“It’s probably the same things that we’ve been saying for a long time about Kyle – the inner strength that he has, the inner confidence, nothing is too big for him,” said Licht. “He’s had to sit and wait for his opportunity his entire football career and has done that now. Nothing seems too big for him, once again.
People can have in their head, ‘Well, it seems like it’s for sure going to be this person or it’s not going to be this person,’
Theres no denying Licht is putting to rest that Baker is in the lead –I would even say reading between the lines Trask is in the lead.
July 25th, 2023 at 5:21 pm
Let the best man win.
Competition is great because even if the tie goes to Mayfield you now have a capable player in Trask ready to step in.
If Mayfield or Trask prove they are simply better you roll with them and surround them with the best roster possible.
July 25th, 2023 at 5:32 pm
Reading between the lines anyone can see anything they want to see. Or then again make up whatever they want to make up in their heads. The only thing that matters is the coaches final decision. And of course people have already read between the lines already too.
July 25th, 2023 at 5:41 pm
All I know is I’m buying a DVR this season.
July 25th, 2023 at 5:44 pm
We all know that Baker Mayfield will get the job, but I would like to see Kyle Trask not make it easy on Mayfield and push him to the absolute limit. That’s probably what the GM and coaches want to see, too. Let’s see how much fight Trask has in him. Don’t make it easy for the coaches to decide. There is also the possibility that neither Mayfield nor Trask will perform well, and that will be a tough decision, too.
July 25th, 2023 at 5:54 pm
“The first training camp practice starts tomorrow”
Man, this training camp came up quick!
July 25th, 2023 at 5:57 pm
I know Baker will get the job, whether he deserves it or not…but here’s what I want to see from Trask:
– Live game action with some starting WRs
– Command the huddle
– Hold his offense accountable, but in a mature way
– Good pock presence
– read the defense
Give me that much Bowles. Give him the chance during preseason to show what he has.
July 25th, 2023 at 5:58 pm
So far as Mayfield…he could throw three picks and 1 touchdown…and have a fumble…and he’ll still be named starter. That will be all the confirmation we need that Bowles made up his mind months ago.
July 25th, 2023 at 5:59 pm
Training camp starts tomorrow. Neither has made it through uninjured yet. We know nothing. Not until the starter is named. Reading through the lines and assumptions.
July 25th, 2023 at 6:06 pm
DBS Says
“Training camp starts tomorrow. Neither has made it through uninjured yet.”
When was Trask injured?
July 25th, 2023 at 6:20 pm
Bonzi are you really going to ask that question? Injury is a possibility at any time. Neither QB has made it through this camp to allow them to be named QB for the year. Ryan Jenson ring a bell? Either could be taken out for the year. We don’t know anything for sure until the starter is named no matter what anyone thinks. Not we know.
July 25th, 2023 at 6:22 pm
Since Trask never had the chance to even be in a competition, IMO its better if it lasts longer so that he is prepared to come in if Baker wins and gets hurt.
July 25th, 2023 at 6:53 pm
A Bucs Fan … Seems extremely likely that a ‘tie’ would go to Baker Mayfield; I have no issue with that. Kyle Trask will probably have to REALLY excel in preseason to get the starting nod for Game 1, but I’d anticipate that he already knows that. They’ve BOTH got the same thing on the line, but hey, that’s as it should be. Competition is healthy, not just for getting the starting nod but also for keeping it.
July 25th, 2023 at 7:25 pm
Licht: “Just to see who takes the next step forward.”
So neither has yet. Contrary to what’s been advertised here.
July 25th, 2023 at 7:26 pm
Let’s not forget that the preseason means NOTHING anymore! It’s a joke. No team plays their starters for more than two drives in the first quarter, and no team plays their starters in the last preseason game. The coaching staff will make their decision on who the QB will be after 5-6 practices max. Go Bucs.
July 25th, 2023 at 7:29 pm
Defense Rules Says: “Seems extremely likely that a ‘tie’ would go to Baker Mayfield.”
The only reason for that would be Bowles’ fixation on a veteran. I have no doubt that a new coach not under the gun would go with Trask’s upside. Mayfield has none.
July 25th, 2023 at 7:35 pm
I am hoping for Bucs success. To me if either QBs performed similarly this season, good or bad. The team would be in a much better position for the future if it were Trask playing rather than Baker.
July 25th, 2023 at 7:49 pm
Given the 17-game season, injuries, and hot and cold starts, at this point it’s not entirely out of the realm of reality that 3rd string QB John Wolford might start a game or two before the season ends.
July 25th, 2023 at 8:12 pm
They have nearly identical 40 times. I suppose “5-10” times might be more applicable
July 25th, 2023 at 8:12 pm
It chopped me– my point was mobility isn’t necessarily a Mayfield win
July 25th, 2023 at 9:10 pm
To JBF and all posters here:
Nobody cares who you think will win the starting quarterback job. The only people whose opinion counts are Licht, Cannales, and Bowles.
July 25th, 2023 at 9:15 pm
Can’t really argue with Duane. I’m not sure but since he’s a QB whisperer I suspect BA will still have some input as well.
July 25th, 2023 at 11:21 pm
I CARE!
July 26th, 2023 at 12:37 am
@A Bucs Fan, DR
I don’t see it that way. I think just the opposite, that if its close, it goes to Trask. Trask was drafted by this administration. Also, if the competition is close it should go to the player with more upside. Not the one with more baggage. We know Mayfield’s upside is a touchdown for an interception with 3 sacks in between.
I think Mayfield will have to considerably outperform Trask to get the starting nod.
July 26th, 2023 at 3:04 am
As the great Yogi Berra once said…Its Deja Vu all over again. So tired of the debate team stuff!
LFG
Go Bucs
July 26th, 2023 at 1:16 pm
Where was Licht the past two years? Why did those two pre seasons go by without really testing the kid in pre seasons? Trask was a ghost for two years! Now with Brady’s sudden departure Licht grabs a left over from 3 other teams and declare a preseason battle of the “best”. Really this is a battle of an unknown vs a multiple team reject! Licht did a great job overall but put all the marbles on Brady playing forever! Cross our fingers that one of the two qbs really shines in preseason. If both look bad it’s gonna be a long long season.