The Buccaneers are entering their third season with Baker Mayfield at the helm of the offense. With three different offensive coordinators in that span, Mayfield brings stability to that side of the ball.
This training camp, the Bucs’ entire world will revolve around Mayfield’s continuity.
At the very top of the Bucs’ list of priorities in July and August is to keep Baker Mayfield healthy. The red jersey does wonders for a quarterback’s health, but it is not a cloak of invincibility. A non-contact injury to Mayfield would blow up Tampa Bay’s season before it even began.
The coaching staff will have to walk a fine line between ensuring Mayfield’s availability for Week 1 and leaning on him as the offense transitions from working under Liam Coen to Josh Grizzard. While most of the offensive staff remained intact, there are inevitable changes coming, many of which will fall on Mayfield’s shoulders to manage.
The main Mayfield highlights to monitor will surround his chemistry with the Bucs’ evolving group of skill players. While Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will be his primary targets this season, Mayfield will largely be working with everyone but them during training camp. Second-year wide receiver Jalen McMillan and first-round rookie Emeka Egbuka will battle for snaps and possibly a role filling in for Godwin, who is coming off a major ankle injury.
There is not likely to be much drama behind Mayfield on the depth chart. The Bucs brought 2021 second-round pick Kyle Trask back on a one-year deal, ensuring he will back up Mayfield for another season.
Second-year QB Michael Pratt has some new competition for the third quarterback spot from undrafted rookie Connor Bazelak. However, Pratt has a clear upper hand in familiarity with the Bucs’ offense and personnel. Frankly, Pratt was a much more successful college quarterback at Tulane than Bazelak at Bowling Green, throwing nearly double the touchdowns and fewer interceptions in just four more games.
The Bucs’ entire quarterback room will play a major role in guiding the offense through yet another season under a new offensive coordinator. Consistency is the standard they will have to set to ensure the team is ready for the 2025 season.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Buccaneers 2025 training camp preview: Quarterback
Reporting by Jason Kanno, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
