Jason Licht, Todd Bowles React To Teddy Bridgewater Visit (And Likely Signing)
August 5th, 2025
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
After practice today, Bucs brass spoke to the local pen and mic club about the very likely addition of veteran quarterback and championship high school coach Teddy Bridgewater.
So why now? No, Baker Mayfield is not that hurt. He returned to practice this morning and was sharp, as Bucs coach Todd Bowles noted.
Maybe Bucs shot-callers were lukewarm with the play of their backup quarterbacks in practice last week with Mayfield sitting out a few practices after he banged his hand on a teammate’s shoulder pads. Maybe the Bucs needed a fourth arm with No. 3 QB Michael Pratt still sidelined with a messed-up back.
Regardless, teams generally don’t bring in an established veteran (who just hours prior was a head coach of a major high school program for a physical and have him on the practice sidelines) without signing him.
Bridgewater has a “wealth of experience with that spot,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said. “Obviously, we don’t have that.
“We need the extra arm. We think we need experience in that room. More the better. … He can’t do nothing but help.”
So does this mean Bridgewater, who worked with current Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard in Miami, is the No. 2 quarterback? (Bridgewater also was with Bowles on the Jets). Not for now, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht said.
“We still have preseason games to play,” Licht said. “Right now, Kyle is our backup. [But] everybody is competing.”
Would the Bucs keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster at the end of the month?
“All possibilities are out there,” Licht said.
Licht seemed to indicate Mayfield’s injury and bringing Bridgewater in were just coincidences.
“Good for the room,” Licht said. “Good for Baker. … Just a good addition and a wealth of experience.”
Licht also fessed up that yes, Bridgewater was the original quarterback of the now-famed “behind Door No. 2” in 2020, which eventually became Tom Brady.
Bridgewater was on Licht’s radar to draft “if he fell” in the 2014 draft to the Bucs in the second round, Licht said. Bridgewater was selected No. 32 overall by Minnesota. The Bucs ended up with Austin Seferian-Jackwagon at No. 38 after picking Mike Evans in Round 1.
August 5th, 2025 at 11:40 am
Jackwagon! lol
August 5th, 2025 at 11:45 am
Can’t see keeping 3 qb’s. Could Kyle Trask be tradable?
August 5th, 2025 at 11:46 am
Trask will never get the “experience “ if you won’t allow him too. I don’t understand why they drafted him in the second round to do him like this tbh it don’t make any since. He has more upside in this stage of his career than Bridgewater. Dudes nfl career is over that’s why he went to coaching.
August 5th, 2025 at 11:54 am
The NFL is not college nor high school. No one deserves anything. It is supposed to be earned.
The Bucs have Super Bowl goals. What, are they supposed to bench Mayfield just so you can pull out your No. 11 blue jersey in September?
People attack Joe for typing that Trask simply isn’t that good. He’s certainly not consistent.
By now, even orange and blue pajamas-wearing Gators fans should be able to read the tea leaves. Trask couldn’t beat out Blaine Gabbert for No. 2. The Bucs then chose to bring in a then-washed quarterback Baker Mayfield. Now, after Mayfield gets hurt and Trask works with the ones for a few days, the Bucs sign a high school coach.
Licht told Joe that he received zero phone calls from teams looking to pick up Trask in a trade. And Trask had a chance this offseason to sign anywhere. Even with a garbage team with no quarterback. Yet he stayed with the Bucs.
What more does one need to know Trask is not the answer?
Trask has had five training camps to prove he is a starter or at least a quality backup. Five years. And still it is not enough.
But — WWWWHHHHAAAAAHHHH! The Bucs didn’t allow him a chance!
August 5th, 2025 at 11:55 am
I’m telling you, Trask is gone. They have seen enough. But not too excited about an injury prone backup.
August 5th, 2025 at 11:59 am
Yep Bowles will dump Trask and put in Bridgewater. Bet the ranch.
August 5th, 2025 at 12:00 pm
I don’t believe Trask has much confidence in himself
Why would he resign with a team, knowing he will never see the field
August 5th, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Hope the Stanks do not snap up Trask.
August 5th, 2025 at 12:01 pm
“Right now,” Kyle is our back up. I’m sure Kyle is a smart guy, and I would hope he is able to read the tea leaves with those carefully crafted words by Licht. Does he want to stick around only to not dress on game day? I mean, whether you’re second string or 3rd the outcome is still the same, which is not playing. Can’t imagine him getting an opportunity anywhere else to start either so idk. I kinda feel bad for the guy, but he also doesn’t have to deal with corporate America, and sit at a desk all day either sooooo….Could be worse
August 5th, 2025 at 12:02 pm
they just don’t believe in pratt or trask while trying to go for it all and win a superbowl…something’s up…
if trask is demoted to #3 in their eyes, they’ll maybe look to trade him…
most likely they’re just done with pratt for whatever reason, or they’re going to announce he’s done for the year or something…
ultimately going with trask and the well seasoned bridgewater as baker’s back ups…
they are prolly realizing we need an experienced back up in the mix if sh!t hits the fan
August 5th, 2025 at 12:30 pm
“No one deserves anything, it is supposed to be earned”, really? So, you are not supposed to be “ gifted” anything? Like in a supposed fair competition where you are outplayed ( as it was reported right here that Kyle was outperforming Mayfield in practices during the so called “competition “ ) , the culmination of which was to be the final preseason game with Kyle , playing half and Mayfield playing half , which did not happen because Mayfield had already been “gifted “ the position in his contract that was signed before they came up with the competition scam which Mayfield was supposed to win and didn’t. Makes You wonder what promises were made to Steve Young, Doug Williams and Trent Dilfer that were broken and caused them to leave and win Super Bowls for other teams?
August 5th, 2025 at 12:35 pm
Trask is gone. It’s the only thing that makes sense with this move. There’s only 1 QB2 lol. Go Bucs!
August 5th, 2025 at 12:36 pm
Trask is destined for the Practice squad when it all settles down.
August 5th, 2025 at 12:38 pm
JD Still – I get it, but if was a 5th…blah blah. Kyle Trask wouldn’t have put up Baker numbers in 8 thousand years, and he damn sure isn’t trucking Bobby Wagner like Baker did in the playoff game if given 8 thousand tries. If you think the defacto is a few meaningless preseason games then I have an ocean front view in Montana that I’d like to sell you. Baker simply has “IT.” With a much stronger arm. Rehashing 3years ago is literally neither here nor there at this point
August 5th, 2025 at 12:38 pm
@Joe-
The Jackwagon reference never gets old! The first time I read that here I was literally in tears laughing. It’s so on point and accurate! I laughed again reading it just now. Keep em coming Joes! Go Bucs!!!!!
August 5th, 2025 at 12:39 pm
It’s a damn shame that Teddy won’t be back at Northwestern this season… I always root for (and like seeing) these guys go back to their HS alma-maters. It was a REALLY STUPID tweet tho… He didn’t have to go that far with it, by telling EVERYTHING he knew. They’ll still prob repeat (as long as they’re allowed to (&/or) do not lose half of their team). I was really hoping that it would be with Teddy, & that he would be there for a very long time. With that said, yeah… This has to finally, be the ‘nail in the coffin’ to all of these insane “Trask-Lovers.” I mean, come on now, if he can’t even beat out TEDDY at this point, & you’re STILL SCREAMING… Then, I don’t know what else to say to you people. Teddy has NOT looked good in a very long time. Look, there has been times, that I too, would’ve liked seeing Trask get a shot, but ‘wake-up’ and smell the coffee. Good Lord.
August 5th, 2025 at 12:45 pm
I like it. Would’ve preferred Tannehill off the couch, but this will do.
August 5th, 2025 at 12:46 pm
most of you guys are making it harder than it really is lol….
the QB room lacked experience lol….simple as that….
ask yourself: which QB room gives you the best chance to win…
A) BAKER TRASK PRATT
B) BAKER TRASK BAZELAK
C) BAKER PRATT BAZELAK
D) BAKER TRASK TEDDY
the answer is simple….D!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
August 5th, 2025 at 12:46 pm
@Joe-
You are welcome. 🙂
August 5th, 2025 at 12:48 pm
Todd Bowles … ‘Bridgewater has a wealth of experience with that spot. Obviously, we don’t have that. We need the extra arm. We think we need experience in that room. More the better.’
I think Todd was pretty dog-gone clear why he wants Teddy Bridgewater: We need the extra arm; we need more experience in the QB room; Teddy’s got a wealth of experience.’
Bucs will keep Bridgewater & Trask this season, but only dress 2 QBs every game. Love the relatively new ‘Emergency QB’ rule …
‘A team’s #3 quarterback, even if not on the 46-man game day roster, can enter a game if the #1 and #2 quarterbacks are unable to play due to injury or disqualification. This is due to a recent NFL rule change allowing teams to designate an emergency third quarterback without using a game day roster spot.’
August 5th, 2025 at 12:49 pm
they are doing this because they are confident in trask like the majority of the poll takers the other day, lol
August 5th, 2025 at 12:56 pm
Being a Baker Bucs Fan (BBF) I had to ask AI about Pre_BBF player:
The user is asking for information about former NFL tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. The user’s query contains a misspelling, “Jackwagon” instead of “Jenkins”, which the response should correct.
The primary goal is to provide accurate information about Austin Seferian-Jenkins.
August 5th, 2025 at 1:01 pm
I know its a typo but “Bowles also was with Bowles on the Jets” was funny… like he was up there talking to himself.
August 5th, 2025 at 1:21 pm
DR
perfect answer!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
August 5th, 2025 at 1:24 pm
They’re not happy with the options for a number 3 quarterback, seems obvious to me. Whether Teddy or Trask ends up as the number two is secondary to that
August 5th, 2025 at 1:44 pm
Wow, there are still simptards who cry because they “haven’t seen Trask and want to know what we have in him…..experience….blah blah blah.”
He has been on the same practice field as the other players and coaches for five farging years. The coaches, players, and management know EXACTLY what “we” have in Trask. Knock off the crying little girl tantrums.
That said, this is about fortifying an under-resourced position at a critical time in training camp. That’s all. The competition for back-up behind Baker will play out.
If you want to read anything into it, read that Pratt and Barzelack are history.
August 5th, 2025 at 2:09 pm
A lot of good nuggets, Joe. Door number 2 and always on Licht’s radar. Add that to Baker was always on Todd’s radar since the Jets. This sounds like a win-win!!
August 5th, 2025 at 3:36 pm
I don’t know y’all keep saying Trask over Pratt but the bugs are very very high on Pratt and wanted to draft him as well. And they were pretty happy with them up until this back stiffness and injury. Regardless I like bring it in the veteriness of Teddy Bridgewater already been under the big lights and the speed of the NFL
August 5th, 2025 at 3:38 pm
I said it, right here, the day they drafted Trask.
I’ve posted it dozens of times since, only to be attacked by the Gator fans.
But it’s still just as true today.
Trask doesn’t have an NFL arm. He can’t make the throws with the velocity an NFL QB has to make.
Seeing him float balls across the field for a couple days, got Licht on the phone asap.
Assuming Michael Pratt recovers- he is a very good prospect. His game reminds me of Mayfield.
Trask was a wasted pick. Even used up Teddy Bridgewater is a better choice.
August 5th, 2025 at 4:13 pm
RIP Trask
August 5th, 2025 at 4:57 pm
Licht should call up the Cleveland Browns about a Trask trade… pretty sure they need a 6th QB in training camp…
August 5th, 2025 at 5:03 pm
haters of Trask but he stayed to be a buc is crazy..what’s the team you rooting for again
August 5th, 2025 at 6:18 pm
Taking into consideration he was drafted by the Buccaneers, shouldn’t it be Austin Seafarin’-Jackwagon?
August 5th, 2025 at 6:40 pm
Trask is a high risk high reward if Baker goes down because he’s unknown. Teddy is a pretty smart game manager but his arm just ok and after the injury who knows.
August 5th, 2025 at 7:07 pm
Bucs Winning>gators
Best backup>gators
And I say that as a Gator…Love Trask as a Gator but I trust Licht to have the best possible backup. I am ok if it is Trask or not. Don’t care.
August 5th, 2025 at 8:34 pm
Bridgewater never looked the same after his devastating knee injury that sidelined him for 2 years….
Teddy’s arm strength was always marginal – but he made up for it with accurate throws, good decision making and a pretty solid ability to make plays with his legs whenever necessary…..
And then his knee got destroyed and he lost that ability to scramble effectively. Has basically been a back up ever since….
Will be interesting to see both Teddy and Trask in pre-season games and try to judge who looks better…. I hope the Bucs give both of them a somewhat equal chance to win the #2 spot…
Baker is unlikely to play more than 1 or 2 series in pre-season I would guess…