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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Charlie Wilson

Tom Brady's favourite receiver gives honest verdict on battle to replace quarterback

Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Mike Evans might have every reason to be disappointed with the team for their quarterback position, but he's speaking confidently ahead of the new season.

The Buccaneers would have been seen as an ideal landing spot for any of the free agent quarterbacks this summer, after Tom Brady retired. 

Evans was Brady's go-to receiver over the last three years, with 33 touchdowns and 3,200 yards in 46 games, with the team winning a Super Bowl in 2021.

With Evans, fellow star receiver Chris Godwin and a strong offensive line, the Buccaneers are a solid quarterback away from continuing to contend for a Super Bowl.

But with Aaron Rodgers, Lamar Jackson and Derek Carr all available, the Bucs opted to bring in Baker Mayfield on a one-year deal, after the former first overall draft pick has struggled mightily in recent years. As well as having Mayfield, the Bucs will also have Kyle Trask to compete - Brady's former back-up and second-round draft pick.

It's certainly not an ideal scenario for them, but Evans had nothing negative to say about their situation - even praising their two quarterbacks.

Evans said: "Kyle's improved a lot. I'm really impressed with what I've seen from Baker. Whoever the quarterback will be, I'm positive they're going to make the right choice and we're going to win some games."

Evans has been impressed by Mayfield, as well as Trask, in off-season training (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

After impressing in his rookie season, Mayfield has been released from three teams in the last 12 months - after being benched and subsequently released from the Carolina Panthers, just a few weeks after suffering the same fate with the Cleveland Browns.

He then spent five weeks with the Rams after injuries to both Matt Stafford and back-up John Wolford, impressing in a cameo role, but not enough to stay with the team.

He will compete with Trask, a 25-year-old who has yet to play meaningful minutes in the league - and even struggled to win the backup job behind veteran Blaine Gabbert. Head coach Todd Bowles has spoken confidently on Trask, suggesting he has a legitimate shot to beat Mayfield.

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