Mike Evans wants Bucs to make quick decision between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask

For the Bucs, it’s still a QB competition between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask. In fact, Tampa is the lone team in the NFL still mulling a quarterback starter.

Even the first-round rookies from back in April know their place for the September season opener.

But coach Todd Bowles and the Tampa offensive staff still is deciding between Baker Mayfield, the former No. 1 pick of the draft, and Kyle Trask, ex-Gator and Tampa second-rounder from 2021. The Bucs are in Florham Park. N.J., conducting joint practices with the Jets to prep for this weekend’s preseason game.

At least one key player on offense wants Bowles to pick a quarterback, like yesterday. Mike Evans, the best offensive player on the team, wants some stability at QB by this time in training camp.

“We want to know who the starter’s going to be, you know, soon,” Evans told reporters after Wednesday’s practice with the Jets. “So we can just keep working and (the starter) can take control of the offense.”

It may not matter who is throwing to him. Evans has posted at least 1,000 reception yards in nine straight seasons. That’s an NFL record. He surpassed 10,000 career yards in week 12 of last season. So maybe Bowles should take note.

Baker Mayfield started preseason opener so Kyle Trask gets nod against Jets

Bowles will start Trask this Saturday against the Jets. He gave Mayfield the nod in the preseason opener against the Steelers. He initially said the starter in the third game also will be QB1 for the regular season kickoff.

Mayfield played five series against the Steelers. But he didn’t play with an entire unit of 1’s. Mayfield was without the Bucs’ top two receivers, including Evans. And three top linemen also took a comfy spot on the sidelines. Still, he completed 8 of 9 passes for 63 yards.

“He was composed, did a good job of commanding the offense,” Bowles said of Mayfield, who topped the 2017 draft. “He made the plays he needed to make.”

Mayfield also said it felt good to play a game in Bucs gear. He started his career in Cleveland, but played for both the Panthers and Rams in 2022.

“For the most part, I think it went smooth,” Mayfield said of his game. “Getting back out there for the first time is good.”

Bowles also used Trask, who was six of 10 for 99 yards with an interception. Bowles will send out Trask first for the opening series Saturday night against the Jets at MetLife Stadium.

So how long can the selection process go? Keep in mind that Bowles wants to get this decision right. The job is open because Tom Brady retired in February after playing his final three seasons of his career with the Bucs. No one can replace Brady, given he’s probably the best QB who ever has played in the NFL. But the team prefers a smooth transition to the post-Brady era. Getting the quarterback right goes a long way.