One week into coaching camp, the Bucs aren’t any nearer to naming a beginning quarterback. In actual fact, they could be even farther away from making a call, because the competitors has truly tightened between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask. Offensive coordinator Dave Canales was requested Tuesday night whether or not that was the case, and he was in full settlement.

“Completely, yeah,” Canales mentioned. “We had been within the spring, proper on this room, speaking about it, the professionals and cons of simply naming a starter for the comfortability or enjoying this factor out. I feel what we’re seeing is, we’re seeing a few guys who each must put themselves within the starter mindframe. Going into practices figuring out, ‘Hey, at present’s my day I get to run with the 1s. I get possibly just a few extra reps.’ It’s just about even, even once we go 1s and 2s the best way we do it. I see the 2 guys actually difficult one another.”

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photograph by: Adam Slivon/Pewter Report

In fact, nobody thought the Bucs would have a transparent beginning signal-caller after simply six practices (with just one in pads). Head coach Todd Bowles mentioned initially of camp that he has a timeline for a call in his head, and that timeline was by no means going to be expedited by every week of practices. However what has grow to be clearer within the early days of camp is that Tampa Bay has a real battle on its palms.

Whereas Mayfield could have been the early favourite due to his expertise within the NFL and his familiarity with Dave Canales’ model of offense, Trask has made strides and closed the hole in the previous couple of days. What he lacks in expertise, he’s made up for by being decisive and never turning the ball over. Mayfield has thrown 5 interceptions thus far in camp, together with one other one Tuesday evening, whereas Trask has tossed only one.

It is a battle that may proceed to play out all through coaching camp and into the preseason – the exhibition opener in opposition to Pittsburgh is nearly every week and a half away – nevertheless it’s as shut as it may be proper now.

Dave Canales Breaks Down The Bucs’ QB Competitors Thus Far

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

When the Bucs signed Baker Mayfield to a one-year deal in March, it supplied them with a quarterback who has been there and achieved that on this league. Now, it’s not as if the previous Browns, Panthers and Rams quarterback has established himself as a clear-cut starter – he’s in want of a little bit of a profession revival. However he’s led an NFL crew earlier than, has began 69 common season video games, and gained a playoff sport throughout his time in Cleveland.

All of that gave Mayfield an early edge over Kyle Trask, who was the Bucs’ third-string quarterback in 2021 and 2022 after being a second-round decide through the 2021 Draft. However as coaching camp has gone on, that early edge has begun to wane, making this competitors even tenser than it was earlier than.

Offensive coordinator Dave Canales, who oversaw a Seahawks quarterback competitors in 2022 that produced the league’s Comeback Participant of the Yr in Geno Smith, gave his early impressions of Tampa Bay’s competitors earlier than Tuesday evening’s observe.

“The primary couple of days, I feel the expertise that Baker brings – simply enjoying in video games, being in camps, going via installs – you possibly can see the place the offense was gelling very well,” Canales mentioned. “The timing of the snaps, all of that’s actually vital for us. So, most likely slightly little bit of an edge for Baker to begin off, simply when it comes to the smoothness of the offense.

“But it surely simply took a few days for Kyle to essentially settle in. After which what we noticed is the final two practices, Kyle actually confirmed what he can do, stretching the sector together with his arm, getting the ball out shortly, making choices. So I’m actually enthusiastic about each of these guys and the progressions they’ve made all through the final couple of days.”

Kyle Trask Has Taken Steps Ahead In His Growth

Bucs QBs Tom Brady and Kyle Trask – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

Earlier than this summer time, Kyle Trask’s reps in a Bucs uniform had been extraordinarily restricted. Clearly, Tom Brady is Tom Brady, and the crew was at all times going to verify he bought his work in. However with the skilled Blaine Gabbert locked in because the backup, Trask by no means had a lot of a shot to point out why Tampa Bay drafted him within the second spherical.

Now, Trask is getting that likelihood. He’s modified his physique, seems extra decisive and is enjoying with extra confidence. And Canales can see that on the observe discipline, mentioning Tuesday that the previous Florida Gator has actually begun to grasp the playbook.

“He’s mastering the ideas,” Canales mentioned. “In any go idea, you could have as many as three or 4 progressions, however you don’t have time to verify all three, type of like a real sprinkler sort of learn. So the place guys begin to get comfy and play quick is after they remove one and two, they’re getting to 3 and 4 in the identical rhythm. That’s what I’ve been seeing from him that I’m enthusiastic about.

“The opposite factor, too, is what’s taking place with Kyle is, as I name a play, he’s ending the play the sentence earlier than I can end it. That simply speaks to him learning the offense, learning the formations and being actually comfy with what we’re calling.”

Trask’s skill to grasp Canales’ offense is paying off in a giant approach on the observe discipline. He’s growing a rapport with high receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and he seems extra assured than ever. The truth that he’s caring for the soccer is a giant verify mark in his favor as nicely.

Dave Canales, Bucs Coaches Are Constructing “Aggressive Cauldron” In QB Room

Bucs QB Kyle Trask and OC Dave Canales – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

As a lot as there’s on the road with the Bucs’ quarterback competitors – there are solely 32 beginning quarterback jobs available on this league – the tradition throughout the room is one which Dave Canales is definitely pleased with. The aggressive nature of every part helps every man within the room get higher, and that features third-stringer John Wolford, who has flashed in his personal proper through the early days of coaching camp.

“The cool half is in our room, which lots of people don’t get to see and listen to is simply Rule No. 1, we’re right here to assist the Bucs win. So no matter that’s, we do this,” Canales mentioned. “After which second rule is, we assist one another. So Coach [Tom] Moore, myself, Thad Lewis, Jordan Sommerville – the assistant quarterbacks coach – now you’ve bought 4 coaches with three gamers. So we’re all in there speaking. If there’s one thing that advantages the crew on a play, someone sees it and says it. So that you see the fellows serving to one another and it’s actually simply elevating the room.

“And the competitors issue, don’t go away John Wolford out of the deal, too. He needs to make performs and he has his personal model of doing it. He brings rather a lot to the desk too, so it’s a very good aggressive cauldron that we’re creating in there.”