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ramblinfan.com] Guess which ex LA Rams player the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed?
By Bret Stuter | 11:32 AM PDT
Los Angeles Rams Sean McVay
Los Angeles Rams Sean McVay / Steph Chambers/GettyImages
There has been some discussion of late over the fact that the LA Rams simply made no effort to re-sign returning veterans on expired contracts. Of course, the reason for that is simply that the LA Rams front office wants to hard halt the distasteful pattern of signing today's players with tomorrow's money.
It's been a rather long-standing tradition for the LA Rams roster build, and the 2022 NFL season was a result of not just injuries. After all, the Rams did try to retool the roster in mid-season. Unfortunately, the team that had done so well with their unique strategies attracted the attention, and the imitation of other teams followed suit. Now the Rams are loading up on rookies. One such area of significant importance is the backup quarterback role, now likely to fall to ex-Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett.
But what of the veteran quarterbacks? Well, we know that backup quarterback Baker Mayfield signed a contract to play with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We know that backup quarterback Bryce Perkins was invited to the New York Giants camp over the weekend to try out for their team. While we haven't heard the results of that tryout, I would be surprised if Perkins is not signed.
Clap for the Wolfman
That leaves just one quarterback to discuss, the right-hand man for LA Rams head coach Sean McVay, quarterback John Wolford. Wolford proved to be a very positive force for the Rams, as he was never void of making suggestions and constructive comments to improve the Rams offensive effectiveness. I had hoped that the Rams would find a way to add John Wolford to the offensive coaching staff, and develop him into an NFL coach.
Unfortunately, that is not to be. You see, he joins his former teammate Baker Mayfield in signing on with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
The #Bucs have added to their QB room, signing former #Rams QB John Wolford. He joins Kyle Trask and Baker Mayfield in Tampa.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 9, 2023
Will Wolford appear in games for the Buccaneers in 2023? I really do not know. I do know that the Buccaneers will appear far differently on offense this year, as veteran starting quarterback Tom Brady did retire for good. As NFL Insider Ian Rapoport states above, the Buccaneers did not address the quarterback position in the 2023 NFL Draft. They did add a quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft with the 64th overall pick by the name of Kyle Trask out of the University of Florida. He will compete for the starting role with former Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield.
While not many envision the Buccaneers in a three-way competition for their starting role, I would not be so quick to rule out Wolford just yet. He is savvy, is mobile, knows the Rams offense as thoroughly as anyone, and a change of scenery may be just what he needs to be given a fresh opportunity.
John Wolford is a fiery competitor, a never say die sort who will give his all on and off the football field. And the Buccaneers' current quarterback status is such that he could prove to be a difference-maker if no clear-cut starting quarterback emerges in training camp. It was John Wolford who led the Rams to defeat the Arizona Cardinals en route to the 2020 NFL Playoffs. I'm pretty certain that Bucs fans will be ecstatic if he matches that feat for them this year.
