Who backs up Baker Mayfield? Competition intense for Bucs No. 2 QB job

TAMPA — Earlier in his pro career, Kyle Trask seemed destined to inherit Tom Brady’s job and was set to be afforded every chance at the gig when Brady briefly retired in 2022.

Today, No. 2 on the roster is fighting to avoid being No. 3 on the depth chart.

Working under his third offensive coordinator in as many seasons, Trask — the former record-setting Gators quarterback — finds himself engaged in an intense battle for the backup job with 28-year-old veteran John Wolford.

Trask was mostly efficient on Day 3 of training camp Friday, connecting consistently on short or check-down throws in short-yardage situations and even firing consecutive touchdown passes to tight end Payne Durham and receiver Sterling Shepard in red-zone work.

But in the final 11-on-11 two-minute drill of the day, Wolford came in behind starter Baker Mayfield.

“(The competition’s) intense,” coach Todd Bowles said. “I mean, it’s intense at more than just that spot, but everybody’s got to make plays. You’ve got to show that you’re making progress, you’ve got to show you belong, and it’s a new offense and everybody’s got to grasp it.”

That’s where Trask finds himself fighting for his football life — because the “new” offense isn’t new to Wolford. An undrafted free agent from Wake Forest, he learned it under first-year Bucs coordinator Liam Coen in 2022 while with the Rams. Wolford, who has 104 career NFL pass attempts to Trask’s 10, also was with the Rams in 2020, when Coen was Sean McVay’s assistant quarterbacks coach.

“Obviously, I went through (competition) with Kyle last year, and Kyle can make every single throw you want as an NFL quarterback,” Mayfield said.

“And so, obviously, another new system for him again to learn and try and get down. Obviously, John and I had a little bit of a head start, John more so. He had years of experience in this thing terminology-wise and knowing what the system is ... everything that comes with it.”

Presumably, the backup job will be determined in preseason, when Trask and Wolford both log significant live reps. It shapes up as the most pivotal preseason for Trask, entering the fourth season of his rookie deal.

“Every single room should have competition going on, and we’re competing against each other when it comes down to completions in practice, doing the right reads, getting graded during that,” Mayfield said. “It goes with everything.”

Another rookie receiver shines

Even as third-round draftee Jalen McMillan made an astounding first impression during the first two days of camp, another rookie receiver captured Bowles’ attention.

Undrafted free agent Kameron Johnson (5-foot-10, 170 pounds), who spent the previous four seasons at Division II Barton College, had a number of catches — mostly from Wolford and Trask — in 11-on-11 work Friday. He also logged some punt-return reps.

“He’s very athletic,” Bowles said. “I think he’s very good run-after-catch. He can return punts and kicks. Again, I’ll be able to better evaluate him once we get in pads (on Monday), but he shows great athleticism right now. He’s one you want to keep an eye on, but again, it’s early in the stages. I’ve got to see how he performs when the pads come on.”

Bucs add tight end

The Bucs on Friday signed tight end Salvatore Cannella, who enjoyed a prosperous 2024 season in the United Football League.

Cannella, who spent three seasons at Auburn, led the UFL with six receiving touchdowns this past season for the Arlington Renegades, while ranking third in catches (56) and fifth in receiving yards (496). He has logged brief offseason stints with the Dolphins, Packers and Seahawks but hasn’t appeared in an NFL game.

He’s wearing No. 49 for Tampa Bay.

Odds and ends

Receiver Mike Evans and linebacker Lavonte David took a “vet day” on Friday, observing but not participating. ... Former USF linebacker Antonio Grier, an undrafted free agent, intercepted Wolford on a short throw over the middle during 11-on-11 work. ... Tailback Chase Edmonds, whom Bowles said is “nicked up,” didn’t participate, and backup tackle Silas Dzansi was seen limping off the field toward the end of practice. ... Left tackle Tristan Wirfs, still seeking a long-term deal, participated for the third consecutive day. ... Bowles on third-round pick Tykee Smith, who could play both safety spots and nickel corner: “He’s been great. I mean, he’s a true vet. He understands the defense. ... He plays with a calmness and patience of understanding what people are trying to do to him. We don’t say much about him, because he’s almost like a vet. He does everything right so much, you kind of forget that he’s a rookie and he just came in here.”

Audible

“Honestly, no, I don’t have a relationship with him. I watched him return a punt for a touchdown (for Oklahoma State) to beat Oklahoma in 2014 when I sat out. That’s about as close as I got to touching him, maybe ever; he’s too quick for me. ... He’s obviously at a high level, so that means a lot when someone gives you that credit.” — Mayfield on Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill, who recently named Mayfield as a top-five NFL quarterback during a social-media chat

Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Bulls

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