John

Wolford

Wolford’s signing likely means that he’ll be the backup quarterback for JJ McCarthy for Week 14 against the Commanders, with Max Brosmer the emergency third quarterback.

Wolford will join the team’s practice squad ahead of Minnesota’s Week 9 game against the Lions. The Vikings last week lost Carson Wentz to a season-ending shoulder injury and will be forced to start J.J. McCarthy in Week 9. McCarthy has missed nearly two months with an ankle injury. Wolford will likely serve as the team’s QB3 behind McCarthy and Max Brosmer.

A rare 53-man addition this early in the offseason. Wolford worked with the Buccaneers and then-offensive coordinator Liam Coen before being released at last cuts last preseason. He was added to the Jaguars practice squad in December as the team prepared to shut down Trevor Lawrence for the remainder of the season. It’s a vote of confidence from Coen in Wolford to put him on the active roster at this stage of the game, even if Wolford is eventually forced back into the familiar role of practice squad work. The team also signed wideout Louis Rees-Zammitt to the active roster.

Wolford has started four games in the NFL between 2020-2022, with a 58.7 percent completion rate, 626 yards, one touchdown, and five picks. This is notable not because of Wolford himself, but because adding an extra quarterback to the roster in any facet may be a tacit admission that Trevor Lawrence (concussion) is unlikely to play this week and may even be shut down for the season.

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.