Kyle Trask Era: Trust Was Missing
August 26th, 2025
Bad fit with Bucs.
So Kyle Trask is no more. Once a hopeful future franchise quarterback, Trask now joins the list of so many signal-callers thought to be Bucs saviors who never panned out for whatever reason.
That list includes those successful in their post-Bucs career (Steve Young, Doug Williams) and the trash (Trent Dilfer, Josh Freeman).
If you think about it, Trask was in a no-win situation. He was drafted by the Bucs when Tom Brady was here. He finished with the Bucs with Baker Mayfield here.
Virtually no chance to develop.
Of course, Trask didn’t help himself out much. His first two years, Trask struggled in practices. Joe was at every one of Trask’s practices his first two seasons. There was Brady at one level, there was Blaine Gabbert at the second level and then there was Trask, clearly two steps behind Gabbert.
In Todd Bowles’ first season as head coach, 2022, Brady went on an 11-day sabbatical in the middle of training camp. Of course, Gabbert got bumped to the first team. Trask got moved up to the second team.
OK, great. Let’s see Trask take the bull by the horns.
In the first practice after Brady left, in the Glazer Shed, Trask fully melted down. It was brutal. It was painful to watch. Here, Trask had his first chance to demonstrate he could handle a promotion. Joe thought Trask might get cut because that practice was so bad, throwing picks into coverage left and right. Incompletions aplenty.
Joe vividly remembers seeing Bucs’ defensive linemen coming across the line that day after plays (picks or incompletions) and offering Trask support, patting him on the back to try to boost his morale.
Joe brings that up because the Bucs’ defensive coordinator saw all of this unfold against his defense, second-stringers. That same coach was also the head coach: Todd Bowles.
The memory of that practice was fully seared into Bowles’ cranium, Joe believes. Whatever faith Bowles may have had in Trask was flushed down the toilet for good that day.
The following winter after Brady retired for good, Bowles hounded Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to sign Mayfield. No other team was willing to give Mayfield a chance to start.
As it turned out, that move was brilliant. The Bucs got a top-10 quarterback for peanuts.
To this day, Bucs types swear there was an honest competition between Mayfield and Trask to start at quarterback. Reality sings a different song.
There was a reason Bowles wanted Mayfield so badly. Bowles, after an 8-9 record with Tom Brady, saw his Bucs team wiped out in the first round of the playoffs to end the 2023 season.
Bowles was on the hot seat. Fans wanted blood. Bowles already was on record saying Tampa was to be the last stop of his football career, whenever that end came.
There was simply no way Bowles was going to trust his career with a former third-string quarterback who had but nine pass attempts (at the time) to his name, and who had a full-blown meltdown when he was handed the reins of the Bucs’ second-string offense.
Anyone who thinks Bowles was perfectly fine to ride or die with Trask in 2023 simply is not dealing in reality.
The only way Trask was to win that job was if Trask was so damn good, there was no way Bowles could pull him off the field.
Trask wasn’t that good that summer, at least not good enough. Mayfield got the job, as was expected.
In the last game of the 2023 season, the Bucs needed to win at Carolina to wrap up the NFC South title and secure a playoff berth. Mayfield got hurt the previous week against New Orleans. He really shouldn’t have been on the field that day in Charlotte because he simply couldn’t throw.
The Bucs eked out a hard-fought win (with a critical strip/sack from, of all people, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka!), sort of the same way the Bucs won the NFC Central in 2002 when Brad Johnson was hurt; the defense rose up to carry the day.
One could argue Trask should have started against Carolina. Joe is convinced Trask did not play because Bowles did not trust him.
Remember, Bowles and his defense went up against Trask every day in practice for four seasons and five training camps. If Bowles trusted Trask, even a little bit, he’d probably still be on the Bucs’ roster.
Trask plateaued in 2023 training camp. But he’s always been inconsistent, two good practices, maybe, and then a step back. He couldn’t string together three straight good practices. Consistently inconsistent.
Trask had a really good practice last Thursday and played well in the final worthless preseason game on Saturday night. But the decision clearly had been made.
Licht told the WFLA-TV Channel 8 viewing audience Saturday night that the whole body of work for the quarterbacks in practices would weigh heavier in evaluation than the play in worthless preseason games. That was basically the kiss of death for Trask and his Bucs days.
Trask seemed like a helluva guy. Every time Joe spoke with him he was as nice as could be. He apparently commanded the huddle well. Tez Johnson told Buccaneers.com that Trask told him before Johnson caught his touchdown Saturday, “Don’t mess this up!” as Trask was throwing to him on the play.
Joe has even seen Trask bark at his teammates in the huddle after less-than-stellar work.
No, as it turned out, the Bucs simply were not a good fit for Trask for several reasons, including Brady, Mayfield and a coach who needed wins.
Perhaps a change of scenery will allow Trask to bounce back and finally get to be an NFL starting quarterback.
Kyle Trask's time in Tampa Bay is over.
His impact on the field was negligible, but his story is noteworthy.
For a guy known more for his arm than his legs, it's impressive how he continues to march uphill on his football journey.
(Note: Meant *QB2* Blaine Gabbert at end.… pic.twitter.com/ZeGAP8zAIi
— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) August 26, 2025
August 26th, 2025 at 4:01 am
This was a bad choice..Bridgewater is a wash
August 26th, 2025 at 4:11 am
$8 million for doing nothing, pretty solid career.👍
August 26th, 2025 at 4:11 am
Absolutely waste of a pick in a year where we were all-in on a second Super Bowl in a row.
How much would we love to have had another WR or pass-rusher during the playoffs?
August 26th, 2025 at 4:12 am
Thanks Joe for the explanation about Trask’s inconsistentes.
I think his personality hurt him grow as a player. Mayfield is Trask’s opposite, he’s all in and the team embarrassed him.
Health issues can determine championships. Detroit was hit hard lastyear but their backups were clearly better than the Bucs.
This team built by Licht and coaches are ready for a run.. Pray the football gods keep the Bucs as healthy as possible.
August 26th, 2025 at 4:17 am
Teddy is a proven starter. I hope Kyle gets a shot I’ve thought he was a well kept secret. We will see and I wish him well.
August 26th, 2025 at 4:30 am
That was a long way of saying Bowles didn’t like or trust Trask. If that’s the case, why the F did they even resign him? He was a free agent this offseason, they could’ve brought in a veteran of their choice to be the #2 and compete with the team during the entire offseason.
August 26th, 2025 at 4:50 am
Remember, Brady was uncommitted for a third season. Trask was a panic move for the last pick in the 2nd round. Turned out for the best! Baker has been playing at an elite level with now his 3rd offensive coordinator. Unfortunately, Trask just didn’t have it between the ears. Having BA, Tom Moore, Brady, he should have prospered like Jimmy G or Matt Cassel, but synapses just weren’t firing consistently. Don’t feel sorry for Trask, he is set for life.
August 26th, 2025 at 4:54 am
If Bowles had no trust in Trask as a QB, why was he brought back as a free agent in 2025?
Did the Bucs expect Pratt to win the battle for the backup spot this preseason (prior to his injury)?
August 26th, 2025 at 5:01 am
Excellent read, Joe. Thank you for the timeline synopsis. Wishing Kyle the best and that he does find a perfect fit team.
August 26th, 2025 at 5:15 am
Why did the Bucs re-sign Trask? And/Or why didn’t they just sign Bridgewater in the spring? That’s my question… at least he would know the whole offense by now.
As it is – Teddy has only been here 3 weeks and Grizz would be limited to like 40% of his playsheet if Baker gets hurt week 1….
August 26th, 2025 at 5:17 am
When I had heard the Browns were messing with Mayfield, I thought wow, they’re dumb. Maybe we can trade and we can have Mayfield behind Brady… Then we drafter Trask. Perfect! My favorite college teams qb is now on my beloved Bucs. Couple years behind Brady, we’ll be set! Unfortunately that didn’t happen. As Joe has said, no one is owed anything in the NFL. Clearly, as much as I dislike it, Trask didn’t impress enough to earn a shot. I hope he gets a chance somewhere. I still think he can make it. Once he got his shot in Florida he never looked back. Unfortunately like stated, that’s not how it works in the NFL. Good luck, Kyle.
August 26th, 2025 at 5:30 am
BucsFanSince1996 Says:
If Bowles had no trust in Trask as a QB, why was he brought back as a free agent in 2025?
——————
Exactly… with 1.34 million guaranteed. That’s the first thing. Secondly…Teddy Bridgewater has been coaching highschool for 2 years. He’s 32, had about 4 statistically decent seasons in how many? How many playoff games has he won? Oh, right — Zero. And then there are people running around talking about super bowl windows. OK … if Teddy sees the field there will be no super bowls. Remember? Zero playoff wins. So, throwing out all of that BS… Jalen MacMillan just got knocked out because of this clown.. Until OCTOBER. Presuming he didn’t actually get wrecked forever. So instead of going into the season with potentially a comedy of riches at receiver you have what now? You better thank the Lord that Jason Licht drafted Ebuka. That may be the only silver lining in this mess.
The bottom line is that Trask is gone. I don’t really care about that. He’s a back up QB. Who cares? That said, this is absolutely indicitave of the ongoing problem of Todd Bowles mismanaging resources. He camps on players he shouldn’t and ignores players he shouldn’t. How do you draft a quarterback 64th overall and then spend 4 years ignoring him and then be shocked that things don’t go as “expected”. Either that was a catastrophically stupid pick, ala’ Roberto Aguayo, or it was a wasted opportunity.
Todd Bowles is a stubborn man with bad management skills and occasional bouts of severe magical thinking. ie: My “elite” defense will save us in OT vs Patrick Mahomes.
If they had just let Trask walk at the end of his 4 years and had a plan in place (no, Teddy Bridgewater is not a plan, I don’t know wtf it is, but its not part of a plan) for something better, cool.
August 26th, 2025 at 5:35 am
Thanks Joe for the explanation, I believe people need to listen and understand what you said. I feel that sometimes when a person gets there blood going and adrenaline moves through their body it changes them completely and it happened to Trask. He didn’t have it in practices but when he got into the games it switched on. It happened to him in college that’s why he was a Heisman trophy candidate. I have a feeling he’s going to go to Carolina and play for Canales hopefully it doesn’t bite bowels in the a-s
August 26th, 2025 at 5:42 am
Freeman was off to a very promising start. It always seemed the Bucs staff largely destroyed his career with poor coaching.
Dilfer (over throw down the left sideline! lol) was actually very successful post Bucs.
i.e. Super Bowl XXXV winning NFL quarterback with the Baltimore Ravens in 2000.
So, claiming that he was not discredits this article right from the start, from stand point of long time Bucs fans.
August 26th, 2025 at 5:53 am
“Kyle Trask Era: Trust Was Missing”
Slight correction..
“Todd Bowels: Should Never be Trusted, Again.”
August 26th, 2025 at 6:00 am
Who will Trask win the Super Bowl with? No worries we have Bilgewater to throw bloopers instead.
August 26th, 2025 at 6:02 am
Trask is just another version of 1st round bust Vinny Testeverde n Trent Difter, the only difference is he was a 2nd round bust who never got to start, or proved that he was worth starting. Bucs gave up on Testeverde n Dilfer after six years of Trask, my bad, trash. Bucs gave up on Trash after four years of the same thing, inconsistency. Anyone who believed he should’ve beat out Baker in 2023 has lost their mind. Baker was hungry n after balling out last year n playing like a true leader stiff arming Bosa, running like a running back to pick crucial yards for a first down n running all the way down field head first to block for his running back. Baker was vetted by his players as their leader, meaning Trask chance of starting as the Bucs qb was second to none. Year end n year out, he was given every opportunity to earn the starter’s job to no avail. He’d be best off elsewhere.
August 26th, 2025 at 6:02 am
Thank God that Bowles was able to rid himself of that terrible Kyle Trask. Now the defense will get off of the field on 3rd down and not give up huge chunk pass plays consistently. So happy that Trask is gone. As a lifelong gator , I never got the hate for Trask by Bucs fans. He was never going to be a long time starter and he did not overdraft himself in the second round. Now Bucs fans can seek comfort in the fact that Satan Trask is vanquished and Noodle Arm Bridgewater has the trust of that Coaching Genius Todd Bowles.
August 26th, 2025 at 6:14 am
So now come the excuses ,not explanations, excuses , to cover a lying , incompetent, head coach. You say Bowles lost confidence in Kyle from one bad practice? Well You can add stupid to lying and incompetent, one practice for Kyle and two years of chokes in play offs for Mayfield, plus practices where this summer Mayfield threw five interceptions and fumbled the football running when no one touched him after leading the entire league in turnovers last year, and Bowles still has confidence in him? I call BS on that , especially since Kyle threw no interceptions in preseason games for the last two years, and Yes Kyle did outplay Mayfield in the phony competition , which was stated to be judged on completions , interceptions and turnovers , but the die was cast, the contract had already been signed with Mayfield and Bowles didn’t want to look like an idiot, so excuses were made, Kyle and the Bucs seasons for the past two years were sacrificed and to make sure no one finds out the truth, Kyle was sacrificed ,bad press was put out, and with no game time allowed, with no playing time and no film to show , they think their actions have been buried, not so, in fact because of those very actions , there’s no one left to blame , no place to hide, it’s put up , produce ,or move on and with two such fine journeyman QB’s with ten years of “experience” being fired by ten other teams between them , What could possibly go wrong ? And Kyle? His story is still being written , with 40 percent of QB’s on average going down every year with injuries for extended periods of time I think there’s a lot more to his story to come, for Bowles , not so much.
August 26th, 2025 at 6:22 am
I can not think of one team where Trask would have a legitimate chance of becoming a starter at qb. So all you fans that thinks he can please enlighten me. Maybe the Saints? Guess will see if any team has any interest or confidence in him like all the Traskies on this site. No more fake qb controversy for the Bucs like some of you actually believed. That distraction is gone. What will you complain about now? Or will it be if only we still had Trask.
August 26th, 2025 at 6:27 am
“Dilfer (over throw down the left sideline! lol) was actually very successful post Bucs.
i.e. Super Bowl XXXV winning NFL quarterback with the Baltimore Ravens in 2000.”
Dilfer’s stats in 2000: 1,502 yards, 12 TDs, 11 INTs. He was 12/15 for 153 yards and 1 TD in that Super Bowl. He was carried by an all-time defense.
August 26th, 2025 at 6:35 am
I would really like to know the decision making process in drafting him in the 2nd round .
How can the G.M. and the scouting dept learn from this ?
2nd round flop , 4 years to develop?? Something needs to be fixed from a evalution stand point? That is a huge margin of error.
August 26th, 2025 at 6:37 am
The Trask pick looked ridiculous then and it looks ridiculous now.
August 26th, 2025 at 6:46 am
Licht deserves some credit for the team success.
He deserves some criticism as well.
He has some good Drafts and he has some bad ones.
Coming of the SB win the 2021 Draft did nothing to help the team.
JTS
Trask
Hainsey
Darden
Britt
Wilcox
Stuard
If you grade that Draft today 4 years later its no more than a D.
None is in the team right now and you could say only Hainsey had any contribution to the team.
Go Bucs
August 26th, 2025 at 6:47 am
Where are all the pro-Trask people now? The ones that were saying ” We don’t know exactly what we have with Trask.” After how many years we should have known and either S*it or got off the pot with him. Just glad a decision has FINALLY been made.
August 26th, 2025 at 6:47 am
Good write up Joe. You’re the baker of bucs coverage.
August 26th, 2025 at 6:51 am
Great job Joe!
You saw it all. This should ease the mob. Although, as their hopeful option it will leave them disappointed.
Best wishes for you Kyle. At least, you are all set money wise.
August 26th, 2025 at 6:56 am
He was cheap.
August 26th, 2025 at 7:03 am
The Brady perfume is about to wear off..
And Bud Licht’s smell will return.
August 26th, 2025 at 7:08 am
Great detail on the history. See who gets cut and pick up a practice squad guy. If Dylan Gabriel gets cut pick him up. Pass on any of Deon Sander,s boys.
August 26th, 2025 at 7:12 am
“Licht deserves some credit for the team success.
He deserves some criticism as well.”
No batter hits every pitch, and these are post-SB win draft picks. Can understand being disappointed about particular draft picks not panning out, but c’mon mayne we’ve also panned gold with guys like Izien & Tucker w/o spending a pick at all.
You win some, you lose some.
August 26th, 2025 at 7:20 am
Joe Says:
August 26th, 2025 at 6:56 am
If Bowles had no trust in Trask as a QB, why was he brought back as a free agent in 2025?
He was cheap.
——
Haha. Going for the Super Bowl but shopping at the Dollar General. It just never ends, the BS just never ends. The stink down at OBP is infectious.
August 26th, 2025 at 7:21 am
The traskites are out hard. They quit commenting last year when Baker was wheeling and dealing. I remember them all from 2023… Well boys, hopefully the next team has a site like JoeBucs so you can now harass them LOL
August 26th, 2025 at 7:23 am
Bucs are all in this year, so they wanted an experienced backup. Trask was not that, against elite level defenses, meaning starting defenses, it floatation devise passes are picks and his pedestrian ability to move are sacks. Nothing against, but he just didn’t exude confidence to carry this team. Best believe the back up plan is in the draft. Every pundit is saying next years QB class will be deeper. Look at this way, we could’ve drafted Kenny Pickett and got picks
August 26th, 2025 at 7:23 am
Watch the falcons pick up trask just to get a better standing of the bucs o and insight into how grizz thinks
August 26th, 2025 at 7:24 am
Not a UF guy but really Hope Trask pulls a Steve young. And then he can attend Lichts ring of honor ceremony – too many really bad picks btw
August 26th, 2025 at 7:27 am
But, he’s the next Kurt Warner 🥹
August 26th, 2025 at 7:29 am
Now I understand why Tebow was so popular. Gator fans support their guy no matter how much they suck.
August 26th, 2025 at 7:34 am
Bridgewater was at home for a reason y’all
NFL teams spend millions a year evaluating players you think the Bucs found the QB backup everyone else let go?
Come on
Bridgewater had a couple good throws one to an awesome receiver
But he sent one WR to the hospital YES HIS FAULT
And everything else was mediocre at best
August 26th, 2025 at 7:35 am
gator fans have a disconnect on what it takes to be a pro athlete. a whiny excuse making fan base.
August 26th, 2025 at 7:37 am
Great now we have 1.5 QBs. If Baker goes down Tender Teddy will not survive more than 1.5 games. Go Bowles
August 26th, 2025 at 7:42 am
If Kyle had 1 other offer this past free agency he’d be there now but didn’t clearly
August 26th, 2025 at 7:43 am
rrsrq, better that we wait on drafting a QB. We’ll be lucky to have any picks in the top 30 for the foreseeable future. Clear as the nose on my face. Go Bucs!!
August 26th, 2025 at 7:49 am
Liked Kyle, but he is gone. Time to move on and win a Super Bowl. Not going to pine for a backup no longer on the roster. Go Bucs!
August 26th, 2025 at 7:51 am
That list includes those successful in their post-Bucs career (Steve Young, Doug Williams) and the trash (Trent Dilfer, Josh Freeman).
REALLY FING REALLY JOE??
You would lump Dilfer in with Freeman and call him trash and not remember that Dilfer reached the Pinnacle of Success in his post Bucs career by winning the Super Bowl as the starter on January 28 2001 the 1st season after he left??
You need to come correct and that right soon.
August 26th, 2025 at 7:53 am
Joe … ‘In the first practice after Brady left, in the Glazer Shed, Trask fully melted down. It was brutal. It was painful to watch. Here, Trask had his first chance to demonstrate he could handle a promotion. Joe thought Trask might get cut because that practice was so bad, throwing picks into coverage left and right. Incompletions aplenty.’
Great piece Joe. Been reading JBF for many years, and this was definitely one of the most detailed & one of the very best.
That paragraph above kinda explained perfectly why Todd Bowles never really seemed to embrace Kyle Trask as a bonafide starter. Here was Kyle’s chance to shine, and he screwed the pooch. To Todd and surely all other head coaches, TRUST is everything, and especially in your lead dog. How could you as a HC possibly trust a totally inexperienced QB to lead your team when he’s ‘consistently inconsistent’ as you wrote.
So many JBFers who’ve commented seem insistent that this is about Todd Bowles. It’s not. It’s about Kyle Trask never grabbing the bull by the horns when in reality he had numerous opportunities to do so. He was drafted under BA’s leadership, yet BA didn’t seem to do anything with him. Todd Bowles isn’t a QB-developer obviously, but there have neen some very good OCs here who could’ve developed him IF he had the chtuzpah to grab the bull by the horns. He didn’t, plain & simple. Nice young man in any event, and I wish him well & hope that he gets on with another NFL team.
August 26th, 2025 at 7:59 am
What an amazingly lengthy comments section for a backup qb. Some Trask fans, a few JL critics but mostly another excuse for why Todd B is apparently the worst head coach since Leeman Bennett.
Our last two OCs are head coaches. If Trask isn’t in Carolina or Jacksonville we have our answer. Unless, of course he would have been the next Tom Brady if that dastardly Todd Bowles didn’t drop him into coverage and let him rush the passer.
August 26th, 2025 at 8:05 am
During the off season the talk here has been over the top with enthusiasm. Baker was written about as the next Brady, Evans is sure to get another 1,000 yards, the offensive line was possible better than all others, the defense is good except for an edge rusher, and even Dean is great when he plays. I began to wonder if Joe gets a cut on ticket sales. Ok, the Bucs look good, but a little realism and humility might be called for. Atlanta isn’t going to be easy and may be a huge eye opener.
August 26th, 2025 at 8:10 am
Wrong Place. Wrong Time.
Of the 8 QB’s taken in the 2021 Draft the 5 drafted ahead of Trask have pissed out except for Lawrence and Fields.
Most were Drafted into a bad situation by either being throw into the fire year one on bad teams or in Trask’s case a team coming off a Super Bowl Victory with a QB that could have played for 4 mores years until he fell of the cliff.
Had Trask been afforded a full year to play his situation would be a little more clear. Unfortunately that was not a luxury that the Bucs could afford thus Trask will get passed over for QB’s with more experience.
Bucs have a good team and are rolling with Mayfield and want a backup that can get them thru the Super Bowl window should something happen. That window ain’t wide open and they have a couple that might get them to the ledge but won’t get them thru it.
JTS got his second chance with the Browns and they are confident enough to have him coming in when Garrett takes a breather. Granted that won’t be much but he will be used to fill in at other positions. He may do well as just because the Bucs have a Decent Defensive Coordinator I don’t think he is worth Squat at developing players. If you ain’t got it right out of the box he won’t be teaching you much. Jim Schwartz will do a much better job with JTS as he doesn’t have as many irons in the fire.
Bucs saw something with Trask and love or hate the Gators he has plenty of good tape from his time there and has had plenty of time to learn the ins and outs of the position behind one of the best. Just no time on the field to work on it.
Lot of money being thrown down on Mayfield being MVP at 25 to 1. Trask has a much better shot at getting picked up by another team.
Bucs were at least kind enough to leak that he was going to be released a day early and not waiting until the last minute.
August 26th, 2025 at 8:11 am
Some of you guys crying about trask, guess what ?the Raiders didn’t even want him they traded for Pickett. Some of you guys just wake up, unhappy and looking for something to complain about.
August 26th, 2025 at 8:11 am
Joe, you said for his entire career here during training camp and practices that he was not consistently good. I don’t know why the goobers around here think that would have magically turned around during actual game time. It’s as if they’ve never coached a sport at any level in their entire life.
Trask was a swing and a miss by Licht. I thought it was a good pick at the time because you want to find your next franchise QB when you have a franchise QB. He wasn’t very good. Gator fans need to get over that fact.
August 26th, 2025 at 8:12 am
Fred, it goes both ways. It may be a huge eye opener for you. Some of us would bet that is more likely. So there’s that. And Evans is getting 1000 yards!
August 26th, 2025 at 8:13 am
And DR still has more sense than most.
August 26th, 2025 at 8:16 am
If he could’ve
He would’ve
August 26th, 2025 at 8:18 am
Trust is mutual. Doesn’t seem Trask could trust Bowles, either.
August 26th, 2025 at 8:24 am
he is just not that good this was the right call.
August 26th, 2025 at 8:26 am
Well now the 2021 draft ends up as a black eye for mister ring of honor Jason Licht. No one on that draft still w Tampa
August 26th, 2025 at 8:27 am
Fred
Agree 💯
August 26th, 2025 at 8:29 am
People asking why Trask has not been signed by another team. As far as I can see he has not even been releasee yet. Am I wrong about that? He has a shoulder injury and will go on IR then the team has do an injury settlement. Maybe I am wrong about that but as far as I can tell he is yet to be officially released. Which would explain (at least in part) why he has yet to go anywhere else. If all that is true then it’s entirely possible he could end up on the Bucs practice squad.
August 26th, 2025 at 8:40 am
Good grief some of you Gator fans! Act like the guy was the second coming of Brady or Montana. I get you feel like he didn’t get a chance to really show his talents behind the starting O line and all the starting weapons, but holy crap! Bowles is on his last head coaching job and if you think for second he wouldn’t have played the guy who gave him the best chance to prove he’s a good coach then you’re for sure off your meds! The guys ain’t better than Mayfield and ole Teddy has a lot more experience. To me this really shows how they feel about their chances this year. If they thought they didn’t have a really good team they wouldn’t have brought someone in that can win if Mayfield gets hurt for a few weeks. High expectations for this team this year and I can’t wait to see if they can handle it finally and start dominating teams!
August 26th, 2025 at 8:43 am
Funny how many times Trask supporters insulted the intelligence of those doubting his abilities yet here it is. laid out in black and white… we released him. Don’t think for a second that Licht didn’t contact teams that might be interested in trading for him… but instead he was cut, there were no takers. Simply not accurate enough, not enough zip, doesn’t throw with anticipation, poor pocket presence, limited mobility, and just not an NFL starter.
August 26th, 2025 at 8:49 am
Well said Defense Rules. Always enjoy your input.
Best wishes to Kyle.
August 26th, 2025 at 8:52 am
JD; Mayfield was signed for one year 4 mil with incentives which he couldn’t have achieved if Trask had won the competition. The contract having already been signed had nothing to do with the decision.
August 26th, 2025 at 8:54 am
Just makes even less sense. If he was that bad why did they re-sign him and seem content to ride with him as backup qb until the end of the offseason essentially? Just seems neglectful. I don’t buy backup qb doesn’t matter. If you need a fill in for 4 games going 2-2 vs 0-4 may be the difference between playoffs or not, home field bs road etc.
August 26th, 2025 at 8:56 am
Nobody in the NFL believed in Mayfield so if Trask had truly won the competition the Bucs would’ve been content to have him be the backup to Trask. 4 mil for a backup is pretty cheap.
August 26th, 2025 at 8:57 am
Bucsfan……Dilfer was released by the Ravens in training camp after winning the Super Bowl.
August 26th, 2025 at 8:57 am
In the immortal words of judge Schmales, “the world needs ditch diggers too!” I would’ve liked the Bucs to have brought in real competition for Trask, Pratt was never it. Someone like Trey Lance would’ve been my choice. Teddy isn’t a long term solution, and has no future. Maybe next season. Trask turned out to be a second round blunder. Licht has many second round gaffs, Braswell is looking like another mistake. If Morrison can’t get, and stay healthy we might have to add him to the list. Bucs should just trade out of the second round in the future, or use next years second rounder for a player now!
August 26th, 2025 at 9:03 am
Dont worry kyle will join the raiders… oh wait…. Dont worry he will join the jags… oh wait the same coach from the jags who brought the qb from GB practice squad to the active roster because he does not trust trask… guys give it up, no one is beating down the door to sign kyle trask… not even the browns
August 26th, 2025 at 9:13 am
Wow — THAT 2021 DRAFT CLASS FOR QB’s really sucked.
Every QB drafted that year:
1st overall Lawrence 22-38 overall record.
2nd overall Wilson — traded for 7th round draft choice
3rd overall Lance — free agent this offseason signed for a bag of donuts
11th overall Fields — 3rd team — 14 and 30 record.
15th overall Jones — Biggest success? 3rd team — 20 and 29 record.
64th overall Trask — apparently a stud according to some on here
66th overall Mond — 2 picks after Trask 5 different teams.
67th overall Mills — still on Houston. 5 wins in 20 starts.
133rd overall Book — Super Bowl ring winner on practice squad of Eagles.
218th overall Ehlinger
August 26th, 2025 at 9:14 am
Context matters, thanks, Joe. Again, amazing that such a common occurrence like cutting a backup is having such an impact with fans of a team that I would hope, hoped he would never have to play in a game. Unless it was dire circumstances. And except for exceedingly rare situations, if our backup has to take over it pretty much dooms the season anyway.
August 26th, 2025 at 9:17 am
Here ya go GRIZZ
And Hall of famer Ray Lewis when asked why the Ravens floundered after winning the Super Bowl said ” Ray Lewis went on television with Colin Cowherd to discuss the deal and threw out an interesting tidbit. Lewis said cutting quarterback Trent Dilfer after the Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV was “one of the biggest mistakes” in franchise history.
August 26th, 2025 at 9:19 am
the 2021 draft purge is complete. jason can now rest easy. trask wasnt that man lol.
culture cliche nonsense.
August 26th, 2025 at 9:36 am
If you’re actually serious and believe that Trask was the better QB, then you’re arguing that the Bucs coaching staff have been engaging in a 3-year long conspiracy to have their best QB on the bench, and the weaker guy starting each week.
Do you have even the slightest idea how stupid that makes you sound?
August 26th, 2025 at 9:37 am
Dilfer was a cheerleader on that 2000 Ravens team. Didn’t even break 2000 yards passing for the season.
August 26th, 2025 at 9:39 am
Trent Dilfer is one of the bravest QBs I’ve ever seen. The man could throw at the last moment and get obliterated and then do it again on the next play. We sucked, not Trent. He just needed an all-time great defense helping him win with 17 points. Love that guy.
August 26th, 2025 at 9:41 am
In Joe’s interview with Trask he stated who he trusts for everything he does. So I guess he did want him still on this team. Trask was not concerned.
August 26th, 2025 at 9:44 am
Destiny is destiny! Whatever the outcome! LFG!!
August 26th, 2025 at 9:49 am
Bucsfan.
Those of us with eyes saw Dilfer in Baltimore know he wasn’t elite, but he didn’t make costly mistakes, and was supported by a dominant defense
Good for Trent Dilfer getting to the pinnacle — but acting like he a better that average NFL quarterback is false as well.
August 26th, 2025 at 9:53 am
KT2 has been working with the best of the best offensive minds in the NFL since he arrived in Tampa!!!! His future is clearly in his own hands!!! NO MORE EXCUSES!
I remember from a couple of years back, the knock on him was that he was a slow developer. That he needed time to develop…for him it’s Now or Never! I wish him well but I don’t expect much! IMHO
August 26th, 2025 at 10:00 am
Geno you miss the point-The Joe that wrote the article mentioned QB’s that went on to future success after leaving the Bucs, but did not include Dilfer in that group. He then denigrated Dilfer by lumping him in with Freeman and calling him trash. That is just wrong and irresponsible journalism is all I am saying.
August 26th, 2025 at 10:04 am
Summary of above (not all are my personal opinions, just summarizing):
Dilfer is trash yet won the super bowl, has never had good full season stats. Brad Johnson was a better QB and far from All Pro. You only need a serviceable QB to win a super bowl with a bada$$ defense.
Freeman had to deal with bad coaching, but he “experimented” off field with narcotics … was that due to having to deal with the bad coaching?
Licht/Bowles have done an excellent job with the draft over the last few years… AFTER 2021. Let’s pretend the 2021 draft didn’t happen. We could have drafted Aman Ra St Brown in the first four rounds. LOL A lot of other teams including Detroit, for a few rounds, messed that up.
Todd Bowles is a dummy for cutting Trask since Teddy Bridgewater is washed. Trask is a great guy but also inconsistent and not really trustworthy to start NFL games. Why keep a QB 2 you can’t trust?
Some fans think he would have become a decent quarterback if given the chance. The many practices over the last four and a half years and a number of preseason games played in say otherwise. Maybe he’ll go all Steve Young and prove it somewhere else?
August 26th, 2025 at 10:07 am
Note: I’m just realistic when it comes to Bowles and Trask. I don’t love her hate either one of them. It Bowles wins super bowl as a head coach and Trask ends up starting for another NFL team and comes a franchise QB, kudos to them if that happens!
August 26th, 2025 at 10:10 am
good article but forgive me joe
d the trash (Trent Dilfer,
super bowl wiinning bs aint trash to me. herm edwards said it best.
you’re paid to win the game.
August 26th, 2025 at 10:11 am
MerryPlankster777 Says:
August 26th, 2025 at 5:42 am
Dilfer (over throw down the left sideline! lol) was actually very successful post Bucs.
i.e. Super Bowl XXXV winning NFL quarterback with the Baltimore Ravens in 2000.
__________
Trent Dilfer had a passer rating of 76.6 with 1,502 yards, 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 11 games in 2000. He won his first championship.
Yeah, he really lit it up.
😀
August 26th, 2025 at 10:19 am
Licht’s 2021 draft is a big fat F.
Total garbage. He’s not some great GM.
WHats his overall record again? LOSING.
Licht just signed this guy in the off-season. Licht is a problem too.
August 26th, 2025 at 10:28 am
Dilfers’ passer rating of 76.6 during his championship regular season was far better than Peyton Mannings regular season passer rating in 2015 which was 68.
August 26th, 2025 at 10:43 am
Hey Gregthere,
Well Said man… You wrapped it up with a nice bow. What more is there to say about this OTHER THAN….
This IS ON Jason Licht “ULTIMATELY” This IS his dog and pony show and people shouldn’t forget that FACT!
I’ve for one, Always supported him, even in the tuff times. But then… Lately…. well, I’m starting to question MY decision making concerning Jason Licht….
Maybe I’ve given him too much credit. This seasons decision making “looks” sketchy at best. That’s including the general “surface” decision making going on at One Buc…
We ARE missing KEY players. They Don’t Exist! What is Licht doing with the linebacker Corp for example???? He just cut the one promising rookie we had that WAS decent… Behind that, THERE IS NOTHING AT ALL!
Just keeping a close Eye on the “ACTUAL” decision maker… Not impressed thus far.
August 26th, 2025 at 10:44 am
I skipped the long-winded article about our former backup QB who never did anything here and never really showed much promise.
I just want to say that I’m glad we signed TB and released Trask. Teddy’s a gamer.
August 26th, 2025 at 10:58 am
Mayfield will prove this year he is more that “a top ten QB.” This is the year Mayfield takes the team to the NFC championship. Need the Bucs defense to just be average. Watched a Brady special the other day. One of his NE SB “wins” was a 10-3 affair. They never ask how, only how many. Mayfield has the best playoff stats for any NFL QB ever. This is the year wins come with the stats.
August 26th, 2025 at 10:58 am
Nice kid, but this is all you need to know:
Brady has been in the QB room with Trask;
John Spytek (presumably) had a hand in drafting him or at least did not pound the table against it.
Both gentlemen are running the Raiders now….
And they opted to trade for Kenny Freaking Pickett over Kyle Trask. That is all you need to know. There is no market for this guy.
August 26th, 2025 at 11:04 am
Teddys a gamer Haha
Madden maybe
August 26th, 2025 at 11:15 am
Some of these takes are weird, this happens more often then when it works out he had plenty of opportunities to be undeniable and seize a position he didn’t. Comparing trask to Steve young is just wild lol.
August 26th, 2025 at 11:17 am
Not sure how you claim Joe compared Trask to Steve Young other than both were drafted by the Bucs and thought to be future franchise quarterbacks.
Joe thought he spelled out in the first two paragraphs.
Nowhere in this article did Joe remotely suggest Kyle Trask was on Steve Young’s level.
August 26th, 2025 at 11:35 am
He’s also not Dilfer or Freeman.
Those guys got a chance to start and failed. LOL
Trask never quite got there.
Remember, Freeman had a 10 win season. Then he just went fully off the rails.
August 26th, 2025 at 11:44 am
Trent Dilfer played on Bucs teams who stunk up the planet. That’s saying something when you compare them to the jokes during the Dark Ages of NFL football here. He goes to the Ravens and helps them win a SB. Joe, that’s considered “trash,” huh? Even Ray Lewis backed Trent up. I think someone stuck a major foot in his/their mouth. I wish Kyle Trask the best. Now, hopefully, Buc Luck will back off.
August 26th, 2025 at 11:46 am
KABucs Says:
August 26th, 2025 at 11:35 am
Remember, Freeman had a 10 win season. Then he just went fully off the rails.
——————
Thanks, KA. Freeman had a major mental meltdown. He wasn’t “trash.”
August 26th, 2025 at 12:01 pm
He will get picked up in waivers. Probably by the Raiders. They are the reason the Bucs feared to put Teddy on the wire. I never thought they brought in Bridgewater to be a #3. Who do you trust if Mayfield went down for any significant time? Most would come to the conclusion it is Bridgewater. QBs with TB as there name do well in TB.
August 26th, 2025 at 12:08 pm
Made me laugh:
“””Bucsfan Says:
August 26th, 2025 at 10:28 am
Dilfers’ passer rating of 76.6 during his championship regular season was far better than Peyton Mannings regular season passer rating in 2015 which was 68.”””
1. You meant to say 2000.
2. Trent Dilfer was 20th in passer rating in 2000. Shawn King of the Bucs was 21st in passer rating, that year and the Bucs moved on from him.
3. That was Mannings worst season of passer rating in his 17 seasons.
Dilfer played in 13 seasons. That was one of only 2 seasons that his passer rating was better than Mannings.
4. Career passer rating:
Manning — 96.5
Dilfer — 70.2
In his 13 seasons — Dilfer never once finished in the top 10 of passer rating.
Last year Baker finished 4th in passer rating.
If you think Joe watching Dilfer as a Bucs fan and thinking he was trash is not a fair opinion from Joe — so, be it.
That’s ok — it is your opinion. I just don’t see the overt love for Dilfer.
Just MY opinion.
August 26th, 2025 at 12:10 pm
I have one question. In five seasons, how many times did Trask actually have the whole first string offense around him, in practice or a game? My guess would be zero.
August 26th, 2025 at 12:12 pm
Just think in week 5 when Ol’ Bake gets knocked outta the game in Seattle, and then is forced to miss 2-3 weeks! Or, even WORSE… In week 12 versus the Rams, during our ‘weakest’ portion of the schedule, when they’ll more than likely, be desperately needing to make up for lost ground. THEN, you have Teddy ‘come in’ and he can’t do a damn thing. One thing is certain… IF, we ever have to turn to Ol’ Ted, he better damn sure deliver, or it’ll be REALLLLL BADDDDD. Heads would definitely have to roll, after such mismanagement of a very important position, on a ‘so-called’ contending team.
August 26th, 2025 at 12:23 pm
Wow tho… just think how desperate the Bucs must had to have been scrambling around a month before the season in search for a backup QB. Then, having to turn to one, right off of the High School sidelines, who has not played ANY ‘meaningful’ football in YEARS. With a shaky injury history himself. Just WOW. Unbelievable. That is not much of a plan there. It’s actually, pretty shocking. Hopefully, it works out in the end. I’m not banking on it.
August 26th, 2025 at 12:49 pm
So Joe, Mayfield wasn’t inconsistent during the so-called QB competition? According to your camp notes, it didn’t sound like Mayfield was doing all that well. He was “Consistently, inconsistent”.
I can understand that Bowles wanted a more mobile and experienced QB but to blame it on one practice in 22 when it was reported here, on this here site, that Clyde Christiansen admitted that Kyle was not getting any reps and attention as a third stringer. It was all about lack of experience to save Bowles bacon to put an experienced Mayfield in rather than a QB who was neglected and then thrown to the wolves. That to me is how Bowles fails as a coach in the mismanagement of a team. Plus Kyle was a leftover from Arians offensive philosophy.
August 26th, 2025 at 1:27 pm
Sorry joe not talking about your article, I’m referring to the comments on the article didn’t read much of the article. I’m here for the comment section.
August 26th, 2025 at 1:39 pm
Dilfer was trash???
He was 5-1 in the playoffs and ended his carreer with a winning record. Also his stats for the Superbowl win were more a product of having a balanced attack with a punishing running game. Yes, the Ravens had a dominent defense, but so do most SB winning teams.
August 26th, 2025 at 1:40 pm
Brady was drafted behind Drew Bledsoe… talent rises and is hard to contain.
I hope Trask can make a name for himself somewhere else. He didn’t get much game opportunity in Tampa, but didn’t show enough beforehand in practice to warrant it.
My guess is that had he been their only choice and made a starter, he would have been a carbon-copy of Trent Dilfer’s career here.
August 26th, 2025 at 2:52 pm
Trent Dilfer Career NFL stats
QBrec. 58-55-0.
Cmp% 55.5.
Yds. 20518.
Y/A. 6.5.
TD. 113.
Int. 129.
Yeah, he was definitely quality.
I still can’t believe we let him go.
😂😂
August 26th, 2025 at 4:16 pm
Oh! OK. Sorry for not catching that. All good! 🙂
August 26th, 2025 at 4:23 pm
TOTAL NONSENSE.
If trust was lost in that one practice then why did they resign Trask this year? There were plenty of free agent options for a backup QBs and plenty of draft prospects this year.
Bowles did Trask dirty. I stand by that.
August 26th, 2025 at 5:50 pm
I find it hilarious that people want to blame Bowles for Trask not developing… especially considering Trask was drafted by Licht and BA, not Bowles…
August 26th, 2025 at 7:57 pm
“Bowles was on the hot seat. Fans wanted blood.” – Joe
Fans do not count for anything. The GM and owners never put him on the hot seat, not even last year. The proof is his contract extension.
August 26th, 2025 at 8:00 pm
As to Trask, had he truly been developed maybe he would have turned into something good. We’ll never know, because they probably ruined him…and that IS on Bowles.
All they had to do is get him time with First Team in practice and preseason games.
He was a second round pick…teams expect to develop those guys, and the Bucs never put in the effort…and the QB competition was totally fake, as has been established.
August 26th, 2025 at 8:02 pm
If a team signs him and gives him proper attention, he might be salvaged, provided he hasn’t been ruined. Mayfield turned it around, maybe Trask can…but no one is going to hand him a starting role. He would be a project.
August 26th, 2025 at 8:25 pm
So he walks away with his knees, arm and no concussions. Oh, and also nine million dollars. Life is good!
August 26th, 2025 at 8:26 pm
The Joe’s are celebrating lol 🤣 now but I saw it coming . Trask did nothing wrong to be cut . He out played Baker in training camp in 2023 and we all know it including the Joe’s. But you have to look at the coach we have this is the same guy who went after Ryan Fitzpatrick to be the Jets future quarterback. And look what kind of quarterbacks we have now 2 journeyman and one of them said he wish he was with his kids he coached in high school than to be here. We ain’t winning no Superbowl with Todd Bowles again if he likes a player that player is going to start. Just look at trash Jamle Dean who gets burned every game 3 and 4 times a game lol 🤣 there goes your proof. And our great GM who miss on the entire 2016 and now 2021 draft lol 🤣 . This ain’t a super bowl team at all.
August 26th, 2025 at 9:21 pm
Kyle never out played BM. someone that liked Kyle said Kyle out played him. It’s that simple. It’s like someone said in an ealier post BM is infinitely better than Trask.
August 26th, 2025 at 9:34 pm
Yes, yes JD, Bowles doesn’t want to win. He wants a quarterback that is second string talent. You are right about everything. You really do have the NFL figured out. It’s ALL about friendships isn’t it. Like I said you have broken the nuclear code!!!
August 26th, 2025 at 10:18 pm
What it is. Go look at the articles from 2023 when they made Baker Mayfield the starter Baker had 8 picks to Kyle Trask 1. And that was the same week when the Joe’s source said the Baker will be the starter week one regardless but ok . Let’s see if he chokes another playoff game because if he does the bucs must draft a quarterback in the round it’s only so many times you can make the defense the scapegoat.
August 27th, 2025 at 2:14 am
Yes, yes it is true, Baker Mayfield has the highest playoff passer rating in NFL history. If you looked up the definition of clutch player in the dictionary, Bakers picture would be there. Of course he has been clutch since college so it stands to reason he would be Mr. Clutch in the NFL. And in the 2024 postseason play, again, he had the highest passer rating out of all quarterbacks. Plus the highest completion percentage of 83%. Yep, he is money when it comes to the playoffs!!!