Buccaneers' Kyle Trask wants to play 'taller' amid QB competition with Baker Mayfield

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Kyle Trask remains an unproven commodity but understands he has one edge over veteran Baker Mayfield amid the competition to replace Tom Brady atop the depth chart.

"I think, in the past, I was a little agitated or maybe tried to force my feet around," Trask said Thursday about how he's improved from where he was last season, according to Scott Smith of the Buccaneers website. "I wasn't as smooth as I am now. Just trying to be clean and smooth in the pocket and play taller. I think, in the past, maybe I was a little squatty and wasn't playing like I was (6-foot-5) — I need to take advantage of it. Playing a little taller, smoother — smooth is fast. I would say that's been my main focus, too."

Trask, a 2021 second-round draft pick, spent most of his first two pro campaigns watching Brady start for the Buccaneers and has attempted a total of nine regular-season passes. Mayfield, meanwhile, was the first pick of the 2018 draft and has a playoff victory on his career résumé. He is listed at 6-foot-1. 

Some have suggested Mayfield's lack of ideal height for playing the position is one reason he's thrown more interceptions (64) than any NFL quarterback since the start of the 2018 season, per Statmuse. New Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales dismissed concerns about Mayfield's size this spring, and it's believed the 28-year-old entered training camp holding a lead over Trask in a battle set to run through some point in the preseason. 

"I think [it's] just working with coaches over the offseason and them seeing the potential I have to just play taller as a passer and be more efficient," Trask continued about receiving looks from the coaching staff now that Brady and former backup Blaine Gabbert are no longer on the Tampa Bay roster. "Obviously, like I said before, it's a really long season, so if I can stay smooth and efficient and tall and see over the line the best that I can, that will be the best for everybody."

Trask will look to make his size advantage count when the Buccaneers begin the preseason versus the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 11.