“I’m excited to announce that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed quarterback John Wolford to their roster. Wolford, a talented quarterback from Wake Forest University, has proven himself on the football field as a leader and skilled player. His impressive college career earned him a spot on the New York Jets’ roster in 2018 and he later played for the Arizona Cardinals. I believe his addition to our team will provide depth and competition at the quarterback position, and contribute to our overall success.”
The Buccaneers Sign Quarterback John Wolford
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have announced the signing of quarterback John Wolford. The move comes as a surprise to many, as the Buccaneers already have Tom Brady as their starting quarterback.
However, the addition of Wolford will provide depth and competition at the backup quarterback position. Let’s take a closer look at John Wolford’s background and what he brings to the table for the Buccaneers.
College Career and Pro Day
Wolford played his college football at Wake Forest University, a Division I program in the Atlantic Coast Conference. While at Wake Forest, Wolford set several school records, including career passing yards and passing touchdowns.
Wolford’s performance at Wake Forest led to him being invited to the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine. At the Combine, Wolford ran a 4.61 second 40-yard dash, which ranked as the third-fastest time among quarterbacks that year. He also had a vertical jump of 34.5 inches, which was the second-best mark among quarterbacks.
Wolford’s Pro Day was equally impressive. He showed off his arm strength and accuracy, completing 67 out of 72 passes, with two of the misses being drops. He also ran a 4.53 second 40-yard dash, which would have been the fastest time among quarterbacks had he run it at the Combine.
Professional Career
After going undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, Wolford signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent. However, he was released by the Jets during the preseason and ended up signing with the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football.
In the AAF, Wolford played well, throwing for 1,617 yards and 14 touchdowns in eight games. He also showed his mobility, rushing for 160 yards and one touchdown. Unfortunately, the AAF folded midway through the season, and Wolford had to find a new team.
Wolford signed with the Los Angeles Rams in 2019 and spent the entire season on their practice squad. He did not see any game action that year, but he did impress the Rams coaching staff with his work ethic and preparation.
In 2020, Wolford saw his first game action in the NFL when he started a game for the Rams in Week 17. He threw for 231 yards and rushed for 56 yards in the game, leading the Rams to a victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
What Wolford Brings to the Buccaneers
With Tom Brady still playing at a high level, it’s unlikely that Wolford will see much playing time for the Buccaneers. However, he does bring some important qualities to the team.
First and foremost, Wolford provides depth at the quarterback position. If Brady were to get injured or miss any time, the Buccaneers would feel comfortable turning to Wolford as their starting quarterback. This is important given the uncertainty surrounding the health and availability of NFL players due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to his reliability as a backup, Wolford also brings athleticism and mobility to the quarterback position. While Tom Brady is known for his strong arm and pocket presence, he is not known for his mobility. Wolford, on the other hand, has shown the ability to escape the pocket and make plays with his legs.
This could be especially important in certain situations, such as when the Buccaneers are facing a defense with a strong pass rush. If Brady is being pressured, the Buccaneers could turn to Wolford to take advantage of his mobility and make plays outside the pocket.
Conclusion
While the signing of John Wolford may not be the biggest move of the offseason, it does provide important depth and competition at the quarterback position for the Buccaneers. Wolford’s athleticism and mobility make him an intriguing backup option behind Tom Brady, and he could be called upon to make plays if Brady were to get injured or miss any time.
Overall, Wolford is a solid addition to the Buccaneers roster, and his college and professional background show that he has the potential to make an impact in the NFL. It will be interesting to see how he fits into the Buccaneers’ plans over the coming seasons.
