We get to watch new football this week! It's the preseason Hall of Fame game between the New York Jets and the Cleveland Brown. It's technically not even preseason, but hey, football is football at this point in time.
With official preseason kicking off on Aug. 9, Brandon and I dove into of the biggest QB battle we will see in the preseason.
Baker Mayfield vs Kyle Trask - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield joins Tampa Bay for his fourth team in the last three years. Baker is the former No. 1 overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, but has not found efficient NFL success. The former Heisman Trophy winner carries a confidence with him despite numerous double digit interception seasons in his career. Baker was released by by the Carolina Panthers in December of last season, but was pick up by the rams shortly after. Between the two of them, Baker started 12 games, throwing just north of 2,000 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions.
Baker might be fighting for the job with second-year quarterback Kyle Trask out of the University of Florida. Trask only appeared in one game in his rookie season, completing three passes on nine attempts for 23 yards. Trask was also in the Heisman race as a Gator, throwing for over 4,000 yards, 43 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Trask was paired with tight end Kyle Pitts in college who ended up going No. 4 overall to the Falcons in 2021.
Whoever wins the job is going to have options to throw to. This offense has some of the same pieces that won a super bowl just three seasons ago. Leading receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are both still lining up on the outside and are both expected to start the new season healthy. Godwin gave his thoughts on the comparison between the two QB's.
Personally, I think the NFL experience that Baker has gives him the edge for a team that has a serious chance to win the NFC South despite their rocky quarterback play. Brandon feels that Trask might have a real shot at stealing the QB1 job from Baker. My prediction: Baker starts the year as QB. he plays his way out of the role and they give Trask a start. They will flip flop from there.
Check out the podcast below for a snippet of 'In The Zone' from earlier today where Brandon and I dive into Mayfield vs Trask.