John

Wolford

Wolford spend last season with the Buccaneers, but did not see any playing time. He was brought back to compete for the backup job, but it seems Kyle Trask has won the role. Wolford is a former UDFA who is a candidate to be brought back on the practice squad or sign elsewhere for a backup or emergency third quarterback role. The Buccaneers also released WR Cody Thompson, keeping five wideouts on the squad. Tampa’s 53-man roster is now finalized, with Thompson’s cut most notably meaning the team is keeping four tight ends heading into the season.

Wolford is presumably returning to the Buccaneers on a one-year deal with a chance to compete with Kyle Trask for the backup quarterback job. Wolford spent all of last season with the Buccaneers but didn’t see any action. A former UDFA who entered the league in 2018, Wolford has thrown for 626-1-5 in seven career games.

The Buccaneers will be near full strength as they continue their late-season push for an NFC South divisional title.

The Rams reportedly planned on signing Wolford, who played in Sean McVay’s offense in recent seasons. He’ll remain in Tampa, however, with the Bucs signing him off the practice squad. The Rams will have to resort to Plan B with Matthew Stafford (thumb) iffy for Week 9. Brett Rypien is listed as the Rams’ No. 2 quarterback right now.

Wolford would return to the Rams after playing with them for three seasons, starting four games amongst seven appearances. This would seem to coincide with the injury to starter Matthew Stafford who is dealing with a UCL injury to his throwing thumb. The Rams don’t currently have a quarterback on their active roster or practice squad behind backup Brett Rypien.

Wolford joined the Bucs this offseason after spending the last three seasons with the Rams. Despite his best efforts, Wolford is a quarterback who is tough to trust in-game. Wolford has started four regular season games and thrown for 626 yards, one touchdown, and five interceptions. A neck injury sidelined him for part of the preseason, but Wolford was a long-shot to make the Bucs’ 53-man roster. It’s possible he lands on the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Wolford was hospitalized Saturday night after being carted off the field in Tampa’s preseason game against the Jets. It’s good news that he’s back at practice in such short order. Wolford profiles as the team’s No. 3 quarterback behind some combination of Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask.

Wolford was briefly hospitalized after getting injured Saturday evening. “He got his movement back in his arm,” coach Todd Bowles said. “It kind of went numb a little bit. He got his movement back, and he seems to be OK.” Mostly a camp arm behind Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask, Wolford is facing long odds of forcing the Bucs to carry three quarterbacks. It is unclear if he will be cleared to practice this week.

Trask served as the QB2 in Tampa Bay’s opening preseason game a week ago but got the start this time around. He played a half of football before hitting the pines, but a neck injury to John Wolford brought Trask back onto the field in the fourth quarter. Trask took care of the ball while throwing a handful of strikes for gains of 20 or more yards. The Bucs’ coaching staff has made it clear that they value ball security highly and Trask turned things around this week after throwing an ugly interception a week ago. Baker Mayfield remains the favorite to start in Week 1, but Trask has at least made things a legitimate competition in Tampa Bay.

Wolford, who was horrific in five starts for the Rams over the past three seasons, will join Kyle Trask and Baker Mayfield in Tampa’s quarterbacks room. A weak-armed QB with a career adjusted yards per attempt of 4, Wolford should slot in as the team’s third-string option in 2023, if he makes the final roster.