TAMPA – Quarterbacks always prioritize touchdowns over turnovers. Incompletions are preferable to interceptions. With that in mind, let’s assess the competition between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask as they prepare for the preseason opener against the Steelers on Friday. Mayfield will start the game, while Trask will take the helm for the second preseason game against the Jets on August 19. While the games play a significant role in the evaluation process, they aren’t the sole factor in determining who will lead the Bucs into the regular season. Offensive coordinator Dave Canales emphasized that the preseason games are crucial because they allow the quarterbacks to face different defenses at a faster pace and observe how they respond to positive and negative plays, as well as how they refocus between drives. Throughout training camp, the media and the Bucs have been keeping track of practice interceptions. Mayfield has thrown nine, while Trask has five, including three on Tuesday. If we’re strictly judging who has protected the ball better in practice, Trask comes out on top. This puts him on equal footing with Mayfield, the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner. Protecting the ball is a key focus for Canales, as he believes it will be crucial to the team’s success this year. Canales acknowledged that four of the interceptions thrown during Tuesday’s practice weren’t ideal, but also pointed out that they occurred during specific situations, such as a two-point play and a fourth-and-8 play from the 8-yard line. Canales expressed his excitement and anxiety about being the primary play-caller in a game for the first time since his early coaching days. The Bucs’ quarterback situation is considered one of the most unsettled in the NFL. Mayfield is currently playing for his fourth team since July 2022, while Trask has only taken nine regular-season NFL snaps. While Mayfield has an impressive track record and experience, Trask winning the starting role may benefit the Bucs more due to his longer contract term and the investment the team has made in him. Trask was a second-round pick in the 2021 draft and has spent two seasons learning from Tom Brady. Canales is impressed with Trask’s steadiness, his deliberate approach, and his ability to take advantage of opportunities. He also highlighted Trask’s mobility and improvement in movement, as well as his ability to make quick decisions and deliver the ball. Mayfield recognizes that interceptions in practice shouldn’t be blown out of proportion, but he also acknowledges that he has thrown the most interceptions in the NFL since 2018. He stressed the importance of taking care of the ball and treating certain situations in practice as if they were real game scenarios. Trask has surpassed his own expectations with his performance in the Bucs’ new offense during camp and plans to stay focused on what has been working for him. The Bucs may have the most captivating quarterback competition in the league, despite the skepticism surrounding Mayfield and Trask’s previous performances. Canales is optimistic that their coaching staff will be able to develop both quarterbacks and help them succeed.
How Kyle Trask pulled even with Baker Mayfield in Bucs’ quarterback race
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