HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On if there's an update on QB John Wolford)

"The test came back negative. He's in good spirits. We'll continue to monitor it and go from there, but he feels good."

(On if Wolford underwent an MRI)

"He underwent everything."

(On if Wolford has a sprained neck)

"He's got a history of stingers, so it came up."

(On if the quarterback competition is a close race)

"Baker [Mayfield] is our starting quarterback. Kyle [Trask] is number two."

(On what factors went into naming QB Baker Mayfield the starter)

"There's a lot that goes into it. I can't sit up here and give you every detail. We go through mini-camp, training camp and OTAs. We love everything Kyle [Trask] has done and he's gotten leaps and bounds better – and he has in the spring, and he's continuing to get better. We're excited about him. Baker is our guy right now – experience wise and understanding the playbook just a little bit better. Kyle is on the come [up] but we like both guys, we like where we're at. Baker is the one and Kyle is the two."

(On how he thinks the competition was beneficial for both players)

"It's always great to have competition. You want to prop up both guys and make sure they're competing hard and learning everything and doing what they've got to do. You don't ever want to give anybody a job. Every year at every position, you've got to come in and earn your spot. It's no different this year with quarterbacks and a new coordinator learning the system."

(On what he likes about the defensive outlook this season)

"If we can get everybody back healthy, I think we're fast when we have a full clip. They're starting to come together, communication-wise – that's the biggest thing on defense – learning how to play with each other and communicating with each other. I think they made progress last week, we've just got to continue."

(On if there's an update on DL Calijah Kancey)

"No timetable. He's getting better every day. We'll re-evaluate it the week of opening day."

(On if there's concern that C Ryan Jensen might be put on IR)

"Any time somebody is out, there's always concern. We know what he missed last year, so we're prepared for it either way."

(On how Jensen's knee is doing after getting extended rest)

"It's still status quo."

(On if other players like LB SirVocea Dennis, RB Chase Edmonds or S Antoine Winfield Jr. could return this week)

"It's early in the week. If they don't practice by Thursday, I'd say no. We'll see how it goes."

(On if he knows whether C Ryan Jensen is the Week 1 starting center or not)

"There will be a point at that such time, but we're not there yet."

(On when he notified the quarterbacks and the team about his decision on the starter)

"I notified the quarterbacks. The team will go with whoever is out there. We talked about it as a staff, I let the quarterbacks know, and I let you guys know – just like we talked about the other day. It's not a secret. We have a process we go through – that doesn't change for anybody."

(On when he told 'them' who the starting quarterback was)

"Kyle [Trask] found out this morning."

(On how that message was received)

"Good. Me and Kyle [Trask] have a very good relationship. We talk all the time. We're very honest with where we are with our relationship. I'm very excited about what he's done and where he's headed. He needs to be ready to play at any time, because if Baker [Mayfield] goes down, he'll be the guy."

(On if he's concerned about the chemistry of the offensive line)

"They have a lot of practice time together, so I'm not concerned from that standpoint. You always want it to flow smoothly on gameday. We'll see what it looks like this weekend – but they've got a lot of practice time together. They communicate well and continue to grow. I'm comfortable with where they're at."

(On if there's anybody that is a question mark for Week 1 against Minnesota)

"Not at this time, no."

(On how he plans to play the quarterbacks against the Ravens this week)

"Everybody is playing. Baker [Mayfield] is one, Kyle [Trask] is two. The first unit will be out there – in the second half, the second unit will be out there."

(On who he likes at outside linebacker among the younger players)

"Obviously Yaya [Diaby] made an impact when he was healthy – hopefully he's back this week, he practiced today so that's a good thing. [Markees] Watts and Cam [Gill] have both done very well. Obviously, [Jose] Ramirez is hurt. [Charles] Snowden was making progress before he got hurt – he came back. It'll be a big game for everybody this weekend."

(On what he's seen from TE Cade Otton going into his second year)

"Just consistency. Cade shows up every day. He's gotten better with his blocking, he understands route running very well, he understands schemes and football – he's very consistent and he always does his job."

(On if Otton has made a big jump from where he was at this point last year)

"Just understanding the scheme – he's a football guy. He understands the scheme very well. I think he's in a lot better shape than he was from last year because he missed that kind of time. That helps."

(On what else he liked about QB Baker Mayfield's game)

"All around, he can throw it, he's very smart, he understands football very well, he can read defenses, he's very good for the scheme we're using – as is Kyle [Trask], I'm not denying that either. Baker is the guy we're going with right now and we're comfortable with that."

(On Mayfield having the next few weeks to prepare to start)

"Yeah, it's a good time. They've been practicing with him, but now just practicing as a unit. They get every day and they work out the nuances that way. I think we have enough time."

(On what he's seen from DB Josh Hayes)

"Josh is scrappy – he's very tough. He has excellent feet, he competes beyond belief – he's just got to clean up a few things. We really like him. He can play outside and inside, he's a very good [special] teams player, and hopefully he can play various roles for us."

(On why DB Christian Izien didn't play against the Jets)

"[It was] him being hurt."

(On if he's seen an increased intensity level over the last week or so)

"I think they've been going hard the whole time. These guys have been practicing hard the whole time. The intensity is always there and it's always going to be tough when you've got to get down, especially now since you've got to make one big cut. That's going to be tough for a lot of guys. You hate to tell guys that they can't play anymore – at least in the initial part of it. There's a lot of different leagues they can go to, but that's always tough when you have to cut it down."

(On what the competition at the tight end position behind Cade Otton looks like)

"It's tough. It's tough. They all do different things. Ko [Kieft] does something different, David [Wells] does something different, Payne [Durham] just got here. We've got a bunch of guys that we can develop right there, but the competition has been very tough."

(On if these will be difficult cuts)

"I don't think it's going to be any easier – it never gets easier when you tell somebody that they can't make the team. You have to make them and you understand that. We have a good basis on what we want to do and where we're at."

(On if he still views this rookie class as being as deep as he originally thought)

"There's a bunch of them. They all play well and they all do certain things. We really like this class and it's all of them – even the ones that don't make the team. We really like this class and it's really tough. They are definitely more athletic and faster than what we've had in the past. [There will] be a lot of guys that contribute this year."

QUARTERBACK BAKER MAYFIELD

(On if he feels a sense of relief in being named the starter)

"Yeah. I think now we're going to treat this [like a] real game week, like in-season type – practice schedule-wise with the carded periods and stuff. It'll be nice to get one week under our belts until it's the real thing and, yeah, it's time to get rolling."

(On when and how he was informed that he'll be the starter)

"Coach [Todd] Bowles came up to me this morning and he told me that he had talked to Kyle [Trask] already and he informed me that we're going to roll with me [and to] continue making smart decisions and go from there. Now, I've just got to lead like I know how and the real thing is right around the corner. It's an exciting time."

(On how it feels to have won the job and to have not been given it)

"The ultimate goal is always to be playing, so it's one of those things where – you look at the big picture – it's one of those things [where] you have to check the box. Now is the time to really ramp it up and go from here and start winning ballgames that count."

(On if he feels he did enough to win the job)

"I'll say this: our QB room has been playing extremely well this camp. Between John [Wolford] and Kyle [Trask] – everybody pushing each other. I can't say enough about those guys in that room that we have as a whole. The chemistry is great. But yeah, I feel like I was comfortable enough within the system, commanded the offense and was able to get guys in the right spots. It's not saying anything against anybody else, I just feel like I'm in good command of the offense."

(On how quarterbacks Kyle Trask and John Wolford raised his level of play in the competition)

"I think [by] offering different perspectives. Kyle's game is different than mine – he can stand tall in the pocket and deliver it whenever he wants. John – his mental aspect of the game. He can eliminate so quickly and play so fast. So, trying to take certain things from those guys – it's always great to have new tools that you can add on to and learn from."

(On if he thinks his performance in the first preseason game helped him win the job)

"Yeah. I think during training camp, you can look at turnovers – obviously, taking care of the ball is the main thing – but it's practice for a reason. [You're] trying to get timing down with the receivers, trying to test certain things out, see [on] 50-50 balls, which guys are going to make plays. When it comes down to the game, it's time to take care of the football and be the quarterback you're meant to be. I don't know, I haven't gotten the details, nor do I really care. I'm just going to roll with it now and just go win games."

(On playing football)

"This is a game that I always dreamt of playing. I've wanted to play it since I was little. To be able to be on a platform now with a great franchise and to earn the job, it's an unbelievable feeling. You never want to take those for granted. I'm one of 32 guys that can say they're a starting quarterback in the NFL. It's a special honor, living out a dream. Now is not the time to be satisfied. I think all of our guys are ready to push through this regular season and see where we go."

(On where he feels the offense is at as the regular season approaches)

"I think the growth has been tremendous. When it comes to the run game – you guys saw some of the screens and stuff we accomplished last week. Guys are really understanding the objective when we call certain plays – what's the scheme we're trying to get accomplished and they're understanding it. The improvement has been unreal. Now, it's just time to go out and execute and play fast. We've learned the system, now it's time to adjust on the fly based on coverages and defenses and just play fast."

(On if there's a lot that fans haven't seen from this offense yet)

"Yeah. It's tough when we're in training camp and probably the hottest camp in the country. Our receivers are always rotating in and out. There [are] certain things that we'll have dialed up for Mike [Evans] and Chris [Godwin]. There are certain schemes that we'll have that we've been holding back – we've talked about it, but we're not going to show that until we really need it. That's the good part, though: you do the simple, little things right and then you get to add in the fun stuff on top of that. I think what we've done is great at the pace we've done it – the way [Offensive Coordinator] Dave [Canales] set it up to get everybody on the same page, executing, and then you add in the wrinkles from there."

(On what he's seen from the young receivers vying for the third wide receiver spot)

"Obviously, you never want to lose a guy, but when you thrust somebody into the spotlight, you see what they're made of. You see our younger guys that are fighting for that spot, as you mentioned. Rakim Jarrett, Trey Palmer, Deven Thompkins has been making plays left and right – David Moore. I'm forgetting a few, but those guys are playing really well and they're playing confident now. Even 'K.G.' (Kaylon Geiger) – he's able to come in and make a lot of plays for us when he's playing fast. It's going to add a different dynamic to our offense that we're able to throw a young guy in there and not lose a step. Obviously, Mike [Evans] and Chris [Godwin] are who they are, but we expect those guys to go in and have success, as well."

(On if earning this starting quarterback job feels sweeter after last season)

"No, I expect to be the starter. I know how talented I am, I know what type of leader I am. Now, it's just time for the real thing. We're about to have the real games and everybody is excited here."

(On if he feels like the amount he'll play in the preseason is enough to get him prepared for Week 1)

"It's about how many reps you're getting in practice, how you're taking advantage of that, the extra conditioning on top of that if you need it. It's the constant conversation – whether you play those guys or not. If you're playing a lot, you're getting good experience. If you're not in, you have to take advantage of the mental reps and talk through it and communicate like we have been doing. I love our plan and how we've done it. I think we'll be ready to roll when Week 1 comes around."

(On if he shared any encouraging words with QB Kyle Trask after the decision)

"Not specifically, no. Those guys know my standing on the QB room and how important it is for us to get along. I learned a quote from Ben McAdoo, it was, 'No cannibalism.' We need everybody in there to be a part of it. We're pushing for the same goal: to win games. I've been in that spot that Kyle is in, firsthand, last year. It's all about support. You never know when your chance is going to come, but you just have to stay ready and be the same guy for your guys everyday."

(On if he feels a need to say anything specific to Trask)

"We'll talk, but I don't think there needs to be a rah-rah speech. Some things are understood – we're pros, so we're going to move forward and handle business."

(On the story about the legal action on his behalf in an attempt to locate lost money through a financial firm)

"I'll say this: it's been a long time coming for that. I'm not going to comment on any of the details, but I've been dealing with that stuff for years now. Mentally, I'm in a much better headspace. We're ready to roll."

WIDE RECEIVER RAKIM JARRETT

(On what it meant to him playing in his first game against the Jets)

"It was great. I got to go out there with the guys. We got a win so that was fun, first and foremost. It was great. I made some plays, showed what I can do, [and] hopefully I can keep it going, we all can keep it going."

(On how he has been successful so far)

"Just my mental space [and] knowing [that] I belong here. I went undrafted, so it can get tough with your mental space and feeling like nobody wanted you, but [by] me keeping my mind right, staying sharp, and believing is myself, that's what I think has gotten me this far and hopefully it's going to keep me going."

(On standing out during training camp and preseason)

"The main part of my job as a wide receiver is to go out there and catch the ball, so it's been key. I've been having some lazy drops as of [recently], but when the game [comes], I think it's time for me to perform my best. So, I think that's kind of what I did this weekend."

(On what he's learned being in the wide receiver room with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin)

"Just the knowledge and what they bring to the game. There's stuff that they know just from being [in the league] 7-10 years that I'll never know from being a rookie, so just trying to pick their minds, and what they see is totally different from what I see. When I first got here, I was running around trying to make a play and they are dissecting the defense, [and] knowing where guys are supposed to be. So, just the mental aspect is probably what I am keying in on the most and how they take care of their bodies. I see 'C.G.' (Chris Godwin) in there all the time [doing] maintenance on his body, so that's what I am trying to latch on to for real."

(On QB Baker Mayfield)

"He is a gun slinger. He has that Oklahoma quarterback swagger, so you kind of like that as a receiver. He's going to give you a chance, he's going to put the ball in the air, [and] it's the receiver's job to go make the play. I love that, [and] I love him and 'K.T.' (Kyle Trask). They both give their guys a chance, [and] they are both phenomenal quarterbacks, so whoever was back there I think the team would have had a good chance competing and winning."

(On QB Baker Mayfield's leadership qualities)

"His experience. He's been [in] a couple of different buildings, couple different offenses, so he knows how to work. He has been playing with some phenomenal receivers himself, so I don't think the stage is too big for him. I don't know how long he has been in the league, but he has the experience for sure and he carries himself as such. This [isn't] a job for everybody, and he takes it as such."

-BUCCANEERS-