Buccaneers' Arians talks Mayfield, Trask QB competition

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Buccaneers' Bruce Arians talks Baker Mayfield, Kyle Trask QB competition

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 4/25/23

Tampa Bay Buccaneers senior advisor Bruce Arians appears to have a favorite in the upcoming quarterback competition involving Baker Mayfield and 2021 second-round pick Kyle Trask.

The former Tampa Bay head coach spoke with reporters at an Arians Family Foundation event on Monday and was asked what he liked about Mayfield when Arians served as an analyst for CBS in 2018 and when Tampa Bay reportedly considered acquiring the signal-caller from the Cleveland Browns last spring.

"Moxie," Arians responded. "When I was with CBS, I was fortunate to do three of his games. Sitting down with him, watching him in Friday practices. Because they used to have a live two-minute drill in Cleveland, and he got after their a-- on Fridays. And I said, 'I love this kid.'"

Arians added that he "kind of" likes Trask and thinks "it's gonna be a nice battle," but JC Cornell of The Draft Network couldn't help but notice how the 70-year-old "lit up" when speaking about Mayfield.

Former #Bucs head coach Bruce Arians said he’s heard some good things about new OC Dave Canales and is excited about the addition of QB Baker Mayfield. pic.twitter.com/QMH5o1WOyg
— PewterReport ‍☠️ (@PewterReport) April 25, 2023

While some have suggested that current Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles "hopes Baker Mayfield’s the guy" who can replace retired living legend Tom Brady atop the depth chart, general manager Jason Licht has insisted the free-agency signing will have to win the job over Trask. Arians seemed to confirm Licht's take on Monday.

"It's a huge opportunity for (Mayfield), it's a huge opportunity for Kyle," Arians remarked. "We're gonna get the best out of both of them."

Former #Bucs head coach Bruce Arians is excited to see Baker Mayfield vs. Kyle Trask in the QB battle this summer. pic.twitter.com/ndEjewsYgX
— PewterReport ‍☠️ (@PewterReport) April 25, 2023

Mayfield guided the Browns to a playoff win at the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers in January 2021 but has since become surplus to requirements with Cleveland and then with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams.

Trask, meanwhile, has attempted nine career regular-season passes while serving as a backup behind Brady until the seven-time Super Bowl champion retired this past February.

If nothing else, perhaps Trask can use the video of Arians' comments as some bulletin-board material heading into a competition many expect the 25-year-old will lose.

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