Skip to content

Bucs' Bowles in no rush to pick starting QB: 'We'll name it when we name it'

Icon Sportswire / Getty

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles is in no rush to name a starting quarterback.

"We don't have a timetable on it," Bowles said, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN. "We'll name it when we name it. We feel comfortable with where we're at, so we'll go from there."

Baker Mayfield didn't play in the Bucs' second preseason game against the New York Jets. Quarterback Kyle Trask got the start, completing 20 passes for 218 yards and one touchdown.

The original plan was for Mayfield to come in after Trask, but Bowles made a last-minute decision to sit Mayfield for the entire game, according to Laine. Bowles said he wanted to see Trask run the two-minute drill at the end of the first half.

John Wolford played in the third quarter, but Trask re-entered the game after Wolford suffered a neck injury.

Mayfield got the start in the Bucs' first preseason contest, throwing for 63 yards and a touchdown on eight completions. However, Bowles indicated he'd factor in the passers' practice reps, as well as their game performances into his decision.

Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans said earlier in the week that he wants to know "soon" who the starter will be so the quarterback can take control of the offense, per Laine. Bowles, on the other hand, isn't concerned about continuity.

"They've had it all camp; they've had it all spring," Bowles said. "We don't worry about the continuity part - everybody has gotten plenty of reps together. Two weeks will be fine for us."

Mayfield and Trask are both expected to play in the team's final preseason game, Laine adds. Tampa Bay kicks off its season Sept. 10 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox