This morning Bucs head coach Todd Bowles finally announced that Baker Mayfield will be the starting quarterback heading into the season. After months of speculation, the last quarterback competition in the league has ended.

Bucs HC Bowles: “Baker’s Our Starting Quarterback”

Todd Bowles announced it rather bluntly after Tuesday’s practice. “Baker [Mayfield]’s our starting quarterback, Kyle [Trask] is number two,” Bowles said.

Bowles went on to add what factored in the decision process, which included Mayfield’s experience and understanding of the playbook.

“There’s a lot that goes into it, I can’t sit up here and give you every detail,” Bowles added. “We [have gone] through mini camp, training camp, and OTAs, and we love everything Kyle has done. He’s gotten leaps and bounds better than he has in the spring and he’s continuing to get better and we’re excited about him.

“Baker’s our guy right now, experience-wise and understanding the playbook just a little bit better.”

Baker Mayfield Is Getting Another Chance As Starting QB

For Baker Mayfield, Tuesday’s news officially means that he will be starting for his fourth team in just three seasons. After starting out in Cleveland with the Browns, he had brief stops with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams last season.

Bucs QBs Kyle Trask and Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Now, Mayfield will look for the stability that has eluded him in his career to this point. It starts by leading a team filled with a lot of question marks and searching for an identity post-Tom Brady.

This marks the first step, but now it is on Mayfield to prove that his chip-on-the-shoulder mentality will yield results under center. He will be entrusted to guide the offense under first-year offensive coordinator Dave Canales. Having had a cup of coffee in a similar style of offense late last season with the Rams, the Bucs hope that Baker Mayfield will quickly get in a groove and mesh with Canales’ system.

For Kyle Trask, he will start the season behind Baker Mayfield as the number two quarterback, but Bowles was quick to point out his improvement compared to last season. This was on display this past Saturday when Trask completed 20 of 28 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown against the Jets. He moved the ball down the field especially well toward the end of the game and found a rhythm.

Alas, it was not enough to sway the competition, as Bowles and the rest of the Bucs’ brass came to this decision after seeing Mayfield throw just nine passes against the Steelers in the opener. He did go eight of nine for 63 yards and a touchdown, and will now have the opportunity to throw plenty more passes for the Bucs this season.