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Former Vikings QB Predicted to be Cut By Buccaneers
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Buccanneers entered training camp with a surefire QB1 and a pair of backups with vastly different career arcs battling for that coveted No. 2 spot.

ESPN believes the team will only keep two quarterbacks on the official roster, leaving one odd man out. Obviously, Baker Mayfield is the team's starter after leading Tampa Bay to their fifth straight playoff appearance and fourth straight divisional championship in 2024, while Kyle Trask and Teddy Bridgewater battle behind him.

It's a tough call, but ESPN believes the Bucs will ultimately settle on Trask as the backup to Mayfield for the final roster, while Bridgewater gets cut.

"Trask's familiarity with this offense and its receivers keeps him on the team over Teddy Bridgewater," ESPN's Jenna Laine wrote.

Trask made his name at Florida while in college, throwing to current Falcon Kyle Pitts, but was drafted as a Tom Brady backup before the Mayfield era began. He's only thrown 11 NFL passes through three seasons, but he's a reliable second-unit QB who knows the offense well and has trust from the organization.

Yet Another Change For Teddy Bridgewater

Teddy Bridgewater is a tenured veteran approaching his mid-30s who has served as a full-time starter at several teams, including Minnesota, most notably, since he looked great for the Vikings before suffering a nasty ACL tear that turned his career sideways.

In his twilight years, Bridgewater still has the acumen, experience, and throwing arm to run an NFL offense and be a positive presence on the sideline. He may find a new home if cut, or maybe not, but either way, Bridgewater is used to coming and going.

He started in Minnesota, but after his rookie contract ended, he left to play for the New Orleans Saints right as Drew Brees' career begin to wind down. Then, he made stops at the Panthers, Broncos, Dolphins and then the Lions for the last two seasons.

Of course, Bridgewater arrived in Tampa shortly after leaving Miami, where he was helping coach his old high school team, Miami Northwestern. However, he earned a suspension from the school when they found out he had provided players with thousands of dollars worth of benefits the school deemed impermissible.

Lucky for him, the NFL came calling once again soon after that news broke, and Bridgewater got another shot to get back on the turf. We still don't know whether he'll be a Buc or member of any other NFL team this year, but it's good to see an older QB still getting his chances.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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