Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterbacks Causing Concern in Practice

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans are already nervous as the team embarks on the post-Tom Brady era, and their new potential starting quarterbacks aren't providing much relief. Video of Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask practicing began making the rounds this week, and it wasn't pretty.

Checking in on the Bucs' QB competition between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask. #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/8kZQzEbdsp
— Kyle Burger (@kyle_burger) May 30, 2023

Mayfield and Trask have enormous shoes to fill. After joining the Bucs in 2020, Brady led the team to the greatest two-year run in franchise history, setting franchise records for points scored in consecutive seasons and delivering a huge win in Super Bowl LV. Prior to Brady's arrival, the Bucs had missed the playoffs for 12 consecutive years.

The Bucs' offense struggled in 2022 despite 4694 passing yards from Brady, finishing 25th in points scored. A significant decline in quarterback play could be outright disastrous, and Mayfield and Trask aren't exactly giving Bucs fans reason for optimism.

Mayfield joined the Bucs this offseason after flaming out with the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Rams. The first overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft has 16288 passing yards, 102 touchdowns, and 64 interceptions to his name but has never played for an offense that finished better than 14th in points scored.

Trask was the 64th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. He compiled 7386 passing yards, 69 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions over a solid college career at Florida but has yet to show much in the pros. He has only completed three of his nine career passes in the NFL.

Replacing the GOAT was never going to be easy, but the Bucs are flirting with a stunning fall from grace by rolling with Mayfield and Trask. It could be for the best. Bottoming out in 2023 could give them a chance at finding a franchise quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft.