“He Needs Competition”
February 28th, 2023
General manager Jason Licht today at the NFL Scouting Combine.
General manager Jason Licht is making the rounds at the NFL Scouting Combine and Joe is up close and personal.
Of course, Licht is getting blasted with questions about his next starting quarterback. Kyle Trask is on Licht’s mind and he wants everyone to know Trask has what it takes — now he just has to show it.
“We took him in the second round. It’s not like we thought this guy was a throwaway,” Licht said of Trask on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
Licht said he’s evaluating all quarterback options and Trask won’t receive any gifts from the organiation.
“He’s going to get every chance to be the guy … but he needs competition. He’s going to need competition. We can’t just hand him a job right now,” Licht said.
Still, Licht wants Trask to be under center in Week 1.
“Right now I’m hoping Kyle grabs it, takes it and runs with it, just like he did in college,” Licht said.
February 28th, 2023 at 11:43 am
What if Kyle Trask works out to be a quality starter? – That would be epic.
February 28th, 2023 at 11:45 am
Also – Falcons just cut Mariota
February 28th, 2023 at 11:45 am
its the best business investment he can hope for with the cap being what it is…
Trask becoming the QB long term would allow them to build the other positions while getting the cap thing fixed!
February 28th, 2023 at 11:47 am
Sometimes he just needs a chance. Much different playing with quality starters instead of ups drivers
February 28th, 2023 at 11:50 am
“ He’s going to need competition. We can’t just hand him a job right now”
Jason is learning from past errors which isn’t all that big a surprise, but glad to know we’re not just giving the QB job away. Even if it were a Cooper Rush or Mike White, worst case you got a starter and his leash on the sideline. Harder Trask & whomever make the decision for Canales & Bowles the better off the roster will be.
February 28th, 2023 at 11:51 am
Exactly!! When Joe was sharing Trask’s preseason stats, he should have taken into account who Trask was playing with. It wasn’t the ones or twos!
February 28th, 2023 at 11:54 am
Hopefully he will surprise us all.
February 28th, 2023 at 11:55 am
Licht said all he needs to say.
The QB job is a competition, the competitors are not currently on the team, except for a guy the team has seen thoroughly for two years. Of course the very best thing for everyone Bucs, is for #2 to become the second coming of Ben Roethlesberger. The reality is, his upside if he fires on all one cylinder is Mike Glennon.
The competition will help sort that out. The Trask Tribe hopes that Gabbert is not resigned, because it’s already been demonstrated that Trask can’t beat out the Goob. And please save the “Brady wanted a veteran” stuff. Goob could have talked to Brady just the same if #2 was the backup. The fact is, #2 wasn’t good enough to beat out the Goob then, and probably isn’t now.
We shall see.
February 28th, 2023 at 11:56 am
No expensive retread QBs, none are going to lead us to the promise land anyway. Go inexpensive QB competition in 23. Payoff the Superbowl, save some money, help out the cap pinch and balance the Bucs checkbook. Be ready moving forward.
February 28th, 2023 at 11:56 am
It’s a win win starting Trask. If he shines then yippie. If he bombs then we’ll have a very high draft pick.
February 28th, 2023 at 11:59 am
We need a cheap starter this season.
Gotta roll with Trask.
But sign an experience backup. Who can win games.
Dalton would be nice. He took the Bengals to the playoffs for many seasons.
But I’m all about being smart this year.
Devin White is not better than Wagner.
Trade Devin White and his moods for a 2nd rounder.
Sign David and Wagner.
Draft a backup ILB with the extra 2nd rounder.
Sign Keanu Neal to replace Wagner on passing downs.
Turn Keanu Neal into a nickle LB/SS
I can live with David on the field on passing downs.
But not White.
I’m all about 6 DB’s on 3rd down and nickle.
February 28th, 2023 at 12:02 pm
Not hard to read between the lines here. Bucs will bring in a veteran to compete. Please Bucs, no Baker Mayfield.
February 28th, 2023 at 12:07 pm
It’ll most likely be Gabbert. That doesn’t mean Trask won’t be the favorite. Just because Gabbert was #2 last 2 years doesn’t mean he was the better QB. It means he was a veteran and the coaching staff felt more comfortable with him for a emergency fill-in scenario. If Brady was out more than a couple plays or couldn’t finish a game, Gabbert was the smart choice.
I wouldn’t have been surprised if Trask would’ve been the starter if Tom couldn’t go a week or two last year.
Game fill in with minimal practice is a veterans job. Stop assuming Gabbert was better or out shined in the coaches eyes because he was #2 on game day.
February 28th, 2023 at 12:13 pm
Jason Licht fired Lovie, the man who hired him. That took stones. Then he saw how Dirk couldn’t be a true head coach, and fired him. Then he hired BA, got JPP and Shaq for peanuts, drafted Vita and some decent secondary men, dumped Jameis and got TB12, who brought friends with him. A Lombardi and three consecutive playoff appearances. (Only once before in history have the Bucs done that, when they went 4 times in a row, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002).
And now? All the armchair geniuses think they have great advice for Jason. Including his disgraced, panting, moronic predecessor. I trust JL to do the right thing. Competition for #2 being a high priority.
Ultimately, Toad Blowes likely gets the same end to his career as Dirk Koetter got. The Toadster maxed out at DC, and as others have observed, was overrated in that capacity anyway. And JL has shown he’s not afraid to make the move.
February 28th, 2023 at 12:18 pm
“He’s going to get every chance to be the guy … but he needs competition. He’s going to need competition. We can’t just hand him a job right now,” Licht said.
Good decision.
February 28th, 2023 at 12:18 pm
Ok, now that this is out of the way, can we stop with the ridiculous articles linking the Bucs to every veteran QB that is looking to make $25+ million per year?
For a guy that claims to hate fantasy football so much, Joe sure loves living in a fantasy world when it comes to NFL free agency.
February 28th, 2023 at 12:21 pm
That can talk all they want about competition, Trask will be the week 1 starter. Trask is the best chance Bowles has to keep his job. If Bowles goes with a veteran starter this season and they fail, he is guaranteed to be fired. If he starts Trask and he fails, then he gas the front office that drafted him to fall back on.
February 28th, 2023 at 12:23 pm
Goat, in all fairness, under the previous leadership gabbert made far more sense as a backup. First, he had more experience than anyone in the previous offense dating back to Arizona. Second, he was a veteran former first-round pick who, while obviously never finding his way as a good starter, still had deep starter experience. Easy to see why he was Tom’s right hand ear. Of course all that is in the past as this is a new offense for everyone. Even if they were to resign him, he’d be starting on page 1 like everyone else. But I doubt they go that direction anyways. Hopefully they make the right pick and the competition is a true one.
February 28th, 2023 at 12:24 pm
I hope he does become a quality starting quarterback but it’s doubtful from the little we’ve seen
February 28th, 2023 at 12:27 pm
It’s been fun watching the evolution of the comments/articles on JBF regarding the Bucs Qb situation.
First it was “maybe we can get A. Rodgers or L. Jackson”…
Then is was “maybe we can get D. Carr or G. Smith or Jimmy G”…
Then it was “maybe we can get Baker or Brissett”
Now people are starting to wake up and realize the reality of the situation…
LOL!!!!
February 28th, 2023 at 12:29 pm
Goathumper Says: “Trask’s upside if he fires on all one cylinder is Mike Glennon.”
Nice comparison of apples to oranges. Glennon played 13 regular season games his rookie season and did so with the starters. Trask has played in 0 games with the starters, even in preseason. Try again. 😛
February 28th, 2023 at 12:31 pm
Good points double-oh-seven!
To the point that #2 might be the week 1 starter – only if he earns it through out-competing the other contenders in camp and preseason. Unless the other quarterbacks are physically maimed, #2 has long odds of winning the job. And Toad can’t afford a fifth consecutive losing season as head coich, so he will pull out all his stops to win with what he has on the roster. #2 may give him an excuse, but my money is the Glazers and JL won’t see it that way.
They’ll see a head coich who can’t win and fire his arse.
February 28th, 2023 at 12:32 pm
Taylor Heinicke please.
February 28th, 2023 at 12:32 pm
Has Trask ever taken a PS or RS game snap with top receivers and OL? Ever?
How many real—not mental—snaps with them in practices?
I get the impression the team did NOTHING to develop him beyond being in Brady’s presence.
Fact is, really, Trask will enter his playing rookie year, where he is expected to contribute.
How often do folks say “draft him, and let him learn behind xxxxx for two years?”
Is not that what happened?
February 28th, 2023 at 12:33 pm
ButtGirl – and who did your lover compete against in those games you lovingly bring up and watch repeatedly on your spankavision?
Bartenders and waitresses.
But you love your #2, that’s great! Keep thumping it, girl.
February 28th, 2023 at 12:36 pm
Goathumper: “And please save the ‘Brady wanted a veteran’ stuff.”
You don’t understand football. This was Tom Brady. The GOAT. He didn’t come to Tampa because he loves Tampa or the Bucs. He came for one reason and one reason only: to win Super Bowls. Do you seriously claim that Brady, in town for a narrow 3-year window to win more Super Bowls, would have tolerated a f’n ROOKIE as his backup were he forced to miss time behind center? If you do, you’re even dumber than I thought.
February 28th, 2023 at 12:41 pm
Goathumper: “Brady’s performance this season was clearly adversely affected by the lack of talent on his offense.”
Goathumper: “When Trask is playing with bartenders he should not be affected by whom he is playing with at all, what counts is who is playing on defense.”
LMAO
February 28th, 2023 at 12:46 pm
I’d like the Bucs to sign Brissett. Think he would be able to start. Trask, not so much.
February 28th, 2023 at 12:47 pm
@BucBoy
You’re sharing a point myself and others have already expressed and you gotta understand, some of the folks here have conclusions they’ve drawn and will hold as law regardless of how well you define the reality of a particular situation.
February 28th, 2023 at 12:50 pm
Hey Joe, You might want to check out Thad Lewis our new QB coach’s NFL highlight real. Looks like he could give Trask some competiton for the starting job!
February 28th, 2023 at 12:53 pm
Doughboy Says:
February 28th, 2023 at 12:32 pm
Taylor Heinicke please.
^^^^^^^^^^
I’d be okay with this…Spotrac has Heinicke’s market value at $19.8 million average annual salary, which has to be a typo.
February 28th, 2023 at 12:53 pm
@Dooley
Yes, I know. They never let facts get in the way of their opinions. 🙂
February 28th, 2023 at 12:54 pm
It’s amazing to me the number of people on this site that believe Trask will be the week 1 stater. There’s absolutely no evidence of that and if management believes he’s the guy based on his crappy pre season tape then Licht needs to be evaluated. The guy was picked behind 2 prospects that will never be long term starters; Wilson, Lance another who’s mediocre at best-Jones and Fields who’s super erratic-Fields. What makes you think Trask will develop into a long term starter at the NFL level if these guys ahead are barely serviceable?
February 28th, 2023 at 12:55 pm
Buc4evr Says:
February 28th, 2023 at 12:46 pm
I’d like the Bucs to sign Brissett. Think he would be able to start. Trask, not so much.
^^^^^^^^^
I’d be okay with Brissett and/or Drew Lock.
February 28th, 2023 at 12:56 pm
And as far as throwing to 3’s and 4’s plenty of backups have done that and actually looked decent in pre season-see Skylar Thompson.
February 28th, 2023 at 1:03 pm
He was probably getting first team reps during training camp and I’ve never heard Evans or Godwin say anything favorable about Trask it’s just certain coaches-like BA who’s enamored by big body qbs who are heavy footed and stand in the pocket like marble statues. Not sure that Trask even fits the Canales philosophy
February 28th, 2023 at 1:09 pm
IrishTony Says: “He was probably getting first team reps during training camp”
That has never been reported. Don’t make up crap to fit your narrative.
February 28th, 2023 at 1:13 pm
IrishTony Says: “his crappy pre season”
You mean like the preseason game against the Colts in which he posted a significantly higher quarterback rating than both Gabbert AND Brady? Is that what you mean? 😛
February 28th, 2023 at 1:15 pm
I actually think they should sign Gabbert….he’ll be cheap….he knows the players & organization……..vet experience….good competition…..if Trask can beat him out….great….if not….go with Gabbert.
February 28th, 2023 at 1:16 pm
I agree with the above. I don’t get all the fans just wanting to hand the job to trask. I’d bring someone like mayfield or Dalton and a couple rookies and have have an open competition. I’m all for trask if he’s our best option.
February 28th, 2023 at 1:21 pm
Yes Sir, Marine Buc. “Now people are starting to wake up and realize the reality of the situation”
As we both know, sometimes it takes a few hard bumps to the head to engage the brain. I always tend to remember those last few the best.
I am good with keeping our QB situation this season on a less costly plan. 3 QB’s for less than 6 mill total for the next two seasons. One is a rookie this season and the next. Rebuild our O&D line LB/CB S TE WR RB
February 28th, 2023 at 1:22 pm
The #2 fan club is hilarious. Right now there are opinions about #2. No conclusions. Opinions based on evidence.
The case for #2 is based on his college performance, which is about as reliable a predictor of NFL success as betting on four numbers on a roulette spin.
The case against is simply what’s been observed by the coaches, players, and fans – his college flaws are magnified and amplified in the NFL and he has sucked against bartenders and waitresses when given chances so far.
On Brady – yes he did come to win a Super Bowl, and if he saw anything from #2 that would have given the Bucs a better chance to win than Goob, for sure changes would have been made. But he didn’t.
Now #2 will get a fair chance in a camp competition, probably with scrubs. And no question, Todd’s Bowels understands #2 very well.
February 28th, 2023 at 1:23 pm
All those clamoring for an open competition – did you clamor for one when Jameis came? No? I wonder why? 🤔
February 28th, 2023 at 1:27 pm
Hey hope springs eternal. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t.
“Also – Falcons just cut Mariota”
And Jameis is also persona non grata in New Orleans and will probably soon join Mariota.
Just gotta have a first round draft pick for a successful QB eh? Meanwhile the top two choices of the 2015 draft have now burnt through their second teams and are available.
February 28th, 2023 at 1:33 pm
I hope he is great, but he most likely he will be awful.
February 28th, 2023 at 1:35 pm
I want Trask to be our QB and be good for a long time. That being said, I’m Not sure why people are so sour on Baker Mayfield. He’s still kinda young, somewhat mobile, and has a cannon for an arm. And before a bunch of you guys get on here and tell me he has a weak arm like TKras once did, He hit 60mph throwing Velo at the combine, (Mahomes topped out at 55mph) and he has the official record for the longest air yards throw in league history. I wouldn’t mind the Bucs bringing him in, but in all likelihood, he will end up signing somewhere to be the starter, not compete.
February 28th, 2023 at 1:37 pm
Man the only thing most people on here wants is a popular player that the media loves. And that’s why we have been losing for so many years is because of the fan base. The Glazers sale us named because that’s what the fan base wants. Just like Caleb Williams every one wants and if they tank to get him Evans and Godwin is going to want out . So who is Williams going to be throwing to ? In 2 years most of yall will turn against him just like y’all done every quarterback the bucs drafted. So I already knew that this fan base on here was not going to give Trask a chance. And to be honest Trask had the most yards and Touchdowns than Travor Lawrence and Justin Feilds and Trask played in a waay harder conference than both quarterbacks. But they were more popular than Trask . And Trask was the only quarterback that put up over 40 points against Alabama and they won the national championship that year. But right now Brock Purdiy is driving all these media out let’s crazy 🤣. And that’s why it’s so much anti Kyle Trask on this team site.
February 28th, 2023 at 1:42 pm
My comment is in moderation so I know it’s not going to be posted because what I said is a fact and not a narrative!!
February 28th, 2023 at 1:45 pm
Hire Gabbert back and take Stetson Bennett in the fifth.
That way you cover next season if Trask fails and also have a quality back up for a few years from now, if Trask soars.
I think that the mindset of the new OC will help Trask light up a few games. Hopefully he will settle from there into being able to sustain drives consistently.
February 28th, 2023 at 1:47 pm
My 2 cents:
1. Roll with Trask. Maybe he is terrible and if so we get a very high draft pick next year and draft our future franchise player.
If he is actually good maybe we won’t need to and we can work on investing in the trenches and re stock our secondary and receivers over next 2 drafts.
Anyone who states Trask couldn’t beat out Gabbert doesn’t understand the Bucs staff mindset last 2 years. They wanted a veteran backup as they saw themselves as superbowl contenders and figured a veteran who knows Arian’s system would do better in spot starts if Brady got hurt over a Rookie or 2nd year player with no live reps.
I also don’t think we can make any decisions based on his performance as he has only played with 3rd and sometimes second stringers on the line and skill positions. Not a fair evaluation when players aren’t getitng open and he has zero time to throw.
2. We should not invest in a high price quarterback. Forget end of career Rodgers, always Broken Jimmy G. Carr who can be good for spurts but can’t carry a team to win big games and will cost too much.
Any other veteran Qbs we draft should be thought of as a backup to Trask. I am ok with cheap deals to Brissett or Dalton. However guys like Baker will expect to start and we need to evaluate Trask this year because he will enter year 4 (last year of his contract) the following season and we will need to know if we extend him or not.
3. Don’t spend a 1st round pick on a QB this year. Richardson moving up boards and would not trade up for him. Hooker is interesting though I think his arm and deep ball didn’t look great in highlights and was amazed many deep completions weren’t picked off. He is also coming off ACL and so if drafted he likely would need a year before he was running as he did in College. Only way I draft him is if we have a 2 2nd round picks due to a trade up or because we traded anothe rplaye ron roster.
February 28th, 2023 at 1:50 pm
Good with Trask until I’m not good with Trask. Salary cap hell. Player turnover. Let’s see what the 2nd rounder can do.
February 28th, 2023 at 2:10 pm
@Canabuc
Great points, rational thinking. You don’t belong here. 😛
February 28th, 2023 at 2:12 pm
Hey guys, click on the link in my name above.
February 28th, 2023 at 2:17 pm
ESPN posted a redraft for 2022. Not one Buc in the top 64 picks (Hall and Goedeke). Meanwhile, the Chiefs had 3 players in top 40 and the Chiefs didn’t even have a pick until number 58. SMH
February 28th, 2023 at 2:33 pm
Bucamania Says:
February 28th, 2023 at 2:17 pm
ESPN posted a redraft for 2022. Not one Buc in the top 64 picks (Hall and Goedeke). Meanwhile, the Chiefs had 3 players in top 40 and the Chiefs didn’t even have a pick until number 58. SMH
^^^^^^^^^
Redrafts are silly, IMHO, especially after 1 year. Give these guys 3 years or so.
February 28th, 2023 at 2:46 pm
Do you all know this team’s qb draft history it’s abysmal. The only qb I’ve ever liked (as a lifetime fan) was Doug Williams. The rest I’ve rooted for (just as I will for Trask) but they’ve all been underachievers. Hell I was so pissed at Dilfer in 99 that I was thrilled when he got replaced by Sean f’ing King!My concern with Trask is he seems turnover prone, he gets rattled in the pocket and makes poor decisions at times. That’s all I have to go on at the NFL level and I could give 2 craps about his college tape.
February 28th, 2023 at 2:49 pm
I guess I’m just a jaded old Bucs fan who’s seen a lot of bad qb play until TB got to town.
February 28th, 2023 at 2:50 pm
Most teams have more than one QB on the roster…ROFL.
February 28th, 2023 at 3:05 pm
@Bucboy
My narrative is that Trask hasn’t proven a damn thing,nada! at the NFL level so why should he just “roll in” as the starter? It’s ludicrous! And why this team didn’t endorse him as the number last year is both telling and egregious at the same time particularly since Licht (who I was disgusted with until he hit the Brady lottery) is sitting up there at the combine talking about how much “we love Kyle” so what about last year!!! I didn’t hear anything about that last year?!!
February 28th, 2023 at 3:07 pm
Sorry on my phone^^number 2^^and also passionate!
February 28th, 2023 at 3:52 pm
Don’t laugh, but I see Wentz or Mariota coming in. They fit the scheme better.
personally I just want them to go with Trask to see what they have. Gather up draft picks by making trades and trading back, cutting vets to clear cap space etc… get set up to be a contender within three years. If trash is not the guy, they can draft a franchise guy next year instead of signing some expensive journeyman. Plus, by doing it that way, they can build up the O & D line for the quarterback of the future whoever it may be.
February 28th, 2023 at 3:56 pm
Bijan Robinson in the first and Hendon Hooker in the second. Hooker and Trask could be a good wildcat or straight up beat Trask for the starting job.
February 28th, 2023 at 5:52 pm
ButtBoy’s passion for #2 is making the whole website sticky and gooey. Get more catchrags and use them.
March 1st, 2023 at 8:07 am
I like your thinking SOEbuc