As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reached an agreement with their backup quarterback John Wolford, and the general manager Jason Licht had some enjoyable moments on Friday.
Licht announced the news on X, previously known as Twitter, at 3:37 p.m. and followed up at 8:25 p.m. by teasing ESPN reporter Adam Schefter’s report, which was posted at 3:43 p.m. on the platform. Schefter notably mentioned Licht as the source in the report.
“I'm not sorry I beat you to it, Adam,” Licht wrote.
Sorry not sorry I out scooped you Adam https://t.co/PsYm5v4BaR
— Jason Licht (@jasonrlicht) March 16, 2024
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport also had fun with it as he commented “who is the source?” Rapoport and Schefter are both well-known NFL insiders who often break news using an unnamed source.
It was a good week for Licht and the Buccaneers especially in light of the re-signing regarding starting quarterback Baker Mayfield. With Wolford back in the lineup, the Buccaneers maintain the same quarterback group as last season.
Mayfield expressed his gratitude for the continuity in the quarterback group during Wednesday’s press conference — before Wolford’s official return. The Buccaneers also have another backup quarterback, Kyle Trask for 2024.
“Of course, Thad is here — Thad Lewis, our QB coach, as well — knowing that we have that group that we’re bringing back and we can really control this thing and control the ship,” Mayfield said.
John Wolford is familiar with the new OC Liam Coen
While much attention has been given to Mayfield’s connection with the new offensive coordinator Liam Coen from their time with the Los Angeles Rams, Wolford also has that connection from his time with the Rams.
Wolford played for the Rams from 2019 to 2022, and Coen served on the offensive coaching staff from 2018 to 2020 and in 2022. The Buccaneers signed Wolford as a free agent in 2023 where he split time between the practice squad and active roster.
Although undrafted from Wake Forest in 2018, Wolford began with the New York Jets but didn’t last the season on the practice squad. He took advantage of an opportunity with the Arizona Hotshots in the now-defunct Alliance of American Football league in 2019, which led to his return to the NFL.
Wolford joined the Rams after the AAF ceased operations and eventually folded. He spent the 2019 season on the practice squad but became a roster backup from 2020 to 2022.
In 2020, Wolford achieved his first NFL start, completing 57.9% of his passes for 231 yards and an interception. Wolford had more starts in 2022, going 1-2 and completing 61.3% of his passes for 390 yards and a touchdown against three interceptions.
Wolford didn’t see any regular season action with the Buccaneers in 2023. Mayfield remained healthy and Trask only played three offensive snaps in two game appearances.
Why Kyle Trask Wasn't Traded
Trade speculation about Trask surfaced this offseason, but Licht dismissed it during the “Ira Kaufman Podcast” on February 28.
“Not at this point. No,” Licht said on the podcast about trade inquiries for Trask. “But it wouldn’t be the time, I don’t think.”
As a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Trask never became a starter after backing up Tom Brady and Blaine Gabbert for two seasons. Mayfield beat out Trask in training camp last year, and Trask has only thrown 10 passes in regular season games throughout his career.
As JoeBucsFan.com mentioned, the Buccaneers probably couldn't get a lot of value for Trask considering the previous New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones transaction. The Patriots got a sixth-round pick from the Jacksonville Jaguars for Jones, and Jones, the No. 15 pick in 2021, has 43 career starts, JoeBucsFan.com reported.
