When certain outlets are still calling the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback situation a "competition," it's a conversation that couldn't be further from the truth.
This is Baker Mayfield's team, and I have a feeling that even Kyle Trask knows it.
After a couple of tough years in the league, Mayfield is now cut out for what looks to be a major bounceback season. He couldn't have asked for a better situation, all things considered.
Why is Mayfield going to surprise and bounce back in 2023? It's pretty simple, really.
1. A more balanced offense
Looking back at Mayfield's days with the Browns, one of the biggest problems he faced was an offense that was built entirely too much around the run game and not using their arsenal of weapons to the best of its ability. Mayfield didn't fail in Cleveland because he was incapable, it was simply due to the play-calling and scheme.
Every season Mayfield spent with the Browns, outside of his rookie campaign, the team finished in the bottom third of the league in passing.
In Cleveland, Mayfield had Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, who were phenomenal together. But, Mayfield wasn't allowed to let it loose as much. Without an overly run-heavy offense in Tampa Bay, Mayfield should have a more balanced attack to work with, thus allowing him to showcase the accuracy that made him a number one overall pick just a few years back.
Now, that's not to say the Bucs won't run. This is a team that was last in rushing a year ago, but also couldn't quite commit to a lead back. Now that White is their guy, the offense can move forward in a more concrete manner.
"...it’s just a well-balanced offense to me. Then the shots and the plays you see guys like Chris and Mike and how they are open. Mike comes to the sideline and says, ‘Man, I haven’t really been this open in a minute. It feels good," White said about the offense a few weeks back.