It initially appeared that the Bucs were in the market for a new No. 3 quarterback, after The Athletic’s Deanna Russini reported Monday night that the Rams were expected to sign John Wolford from Tampa Bay’s practice squad. It looked like.
The Rams are expected to sign quarterback John Wolford from the Buccaneers’ practice squad, according to sources. He will return to the team after spending the 2020-2022 season with the Rams.
— Diana Russini (@DMRussini) October 30, 2023
However, according to the latest report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Wolford intends to remain in Tampa Bay instead. The Bucks intend to promote him to the 53-man roster to retain him. Tampa Bay will need to make roster changes accordingly to make room for Wolford.
The Rams are in dire need of a familiar player like Wolford, as starting QB Matthew Stafford has been plagued by injuries. Brett Rypien replaced Stafford in Sunday’s game against the Cowboys, but Los Angeles appears to be hoping for a different solution. Baker Mayfield is currently knee contusion The Bucs had to keep Wolford around with only backup Kyle Trask as the only other QB currently on the roster. If the knee problem worsens or Mayfield is sidelined with another injury, Trask will have to start, and Wolford’s departure will leave a hole at the backup quarterback position. Now that doesn’t matter.
Bucks prefer John Wolford as backup
Bucs QB Kyle Trask, Baker Mayfield, John Wolford – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Tampa Bay’s quarterback room underwent significant changes this offseason, with Tom Brady retiring and the team opting not to bring back backups Blaine Gabbert and Ryan Griffin. The only remaining player was 2021 second-round pick Kyle Trask, as the Bucs signed starters Baker Mayfield and John Wolford.
The former Wake Forest quarterback was with the Rams from 2020 to 2022, and the Bucs have been with the Rams since new offensive coordinator Dave Canales introduced an offense rooted in Rams head coach Sean McVay’s scheme. He had proven to be an ideal No. 3 quarterback. Wolford has been a good presence in Tampa Bay’s quarterback room as Mayfield and Trask compete for the starting spot throughout training camp. At times during camp, Wolford looked like the best quarterback on the field.
The Bucs have had a very good record against Wolford all year.in Appeared on Pewter Report Podcast This summer, Canales called Wolford “the smartest guy in the room.”
Bucks QB John Wolford – Photo courtesy of USA Today
“John is great,” Canales said. “He’s definitely the smartest guy in the room. That’s not even close. He’s funny. He’s always…I love being around him. I’ve heard great things about him. I got it [Seahawks offensive coordinator] Shane [Waldron, who came from the Rams] So when we had the opportunity to bring him in, he and I had a great conversation and he came in and killed it. ”
In past years, Tampa Bay has opted to use four quarterbacks, adding Brady, Gabbert and Trask to the 53-man roster and Griffin to the practice squad. But this year, the team decided to start the season with just three players.
Wolford saw limited playing time in the preseason with the Bucks, completing 10 of 17 for 111 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers. He left the second exhibition game against the Jets with a neck injury. Before the injury, he was 4-of-4 for 57 yards.
