Todd Bowles: Backup Quarterback Decision Not Finalized
August 23rd, 2025
No decision (yet).
Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht hinted on the WFLA-TV Channel 8 broadcast Saturday night of the Backup Bowl between the Bucs and Bills that the Bucs are already leaning one way on their decision of who will be their No. 2 quarterback.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles said after the game no decision has been made.
Joe’s good friend Rock Riley asked if Kyle Trask’s play Saturday solidified his position as Baker Mayfield’s immediate backup over Teddy Bridgewater, who was sick and did not play Saturday.
Bowles said that decision will likely come on Sunday.
“Nothing out there has been decided right now,” Bowles said. “We will talk about everything as a group when we talk about it.
“We will get that down [Sunday] and go from there.”
Licht hinted the body of work each quarterback had in training camp and preseason would be weighted heavily. During the last practice open to the Fourth Estate on Thursday, albeit abbreviated, Trask was incredibly sharp. And Trask was sharp against the Bills.
Bowles also said had Bridgewater not been sick, Trask would have started as he did Saturday night.
August 23rd, 2025 at 11:09 pm
Did anybody hear the shout out to JoeBucsFan.com during the game?
August 23rd, 2025 at 11:11 pm
Trask has to be the backup FOR NOW, Teddy by the end of the season, IMO.
August 23rd, 2025 at 11:18 pm
No one is buying this
They know who they’re going to keep, and who is out
August 23rd, 2025 at 11:29 pm
I wouldn’t be so sure it’s just talking about who’s the QB2, but whether they keep 3 QB’s on the active roster. One thing is for sure: They didn’t sign Teddy Bridgewater for him to sit on the practice squad. If in fact Trask doesn’t make the active roster that will be his destination.
August 23rd, 2025 at 11:39 pm
Maybe move Desmond Watson to OL? He’d definitely open up alot of holes for the running game & would definitely protect Baker.
August 24th, 2025 at 12:29 am
Regardless, the season will end on a baker maybefield turnover. As usual. Maybe stop making bait articles on a back up QB competition… and start writing about whether baker is the ultimate choke artist in crunch time.
August 24th, 2025 at 12:53 am
I think Bowles can say that the decision has not been made or “finalized” yet as Joe puts it because it is only truly made or finalized when they call Mr Trask into the coach’s office and drop the hammer on him. In the old days I guess he would be asked to turn in his playbook, nowadays I guess it would be his tablet. Maybe Trask ends up on the practice squad…..
August 24th, 2025 at 1:36 am
is baez not better than trask?
August 24th, 2025 at 2:18 am
I knew that was Rock who asked that question… sounded like he was the only one with the balls to ask it!
August 24th, 2025 at 2:26 am
I KNEW immediately, as soon as that “field conditions” question was asked concerning the “evaluation of players,” that it was going to go exactly, the way it went Lmao. Reminded me of when that woman asked about the “weather conditions (cold) in DETROIT. LoL I knew the very second she started… I mean, How Embarrassing. It’s really a huge joke. And, it’s all on us for allowing it. 💯
August 24th, 2025 at 3:53 am
Lakewood ranch Phil Says:
“Did anybody hear the shout out to JoeBucsFan.com during the game?”
.
.
Sure did. I was in the kitchen at the time and not even paying attention, so when I heard “Joe Bucs Fan” I didn’t even catch the rest of the sentence, or who spoke it.
August 24th, 2025 at 4:53 am
Bowles kept it close again. This game is a window to the season. He is just a 50/50 coach. Always will be. 8-9 or 9-8.
August 24th, 2025 at 5:11 am
The decision was made when Teddy signed, it’s Teddy. Trask is gone. Bowles flat out lied about Teddy being sick. The cameras showed him on the sideline all smiles, didn’t look sick to me. Don’t care either way, they both aren’t very good, IMO. It’s Teddy though, Bowles loves the guy, and never seemed to hot about Trask.
August 24th, 2025 at 7:01 am
It’s going to be Teddy Bridgewater this is the same thing happened in 2023 in the last preseason game. They gifted Baker the starting job just like they’re doing with Teddy Bridgewater at least that what it seems. And if they cut Trask the Joe’s will be happy because that’s what they been wanting the day he drafted. And not to mention they know if he ever gets a opportunity to play with the starters he would probably take Baker Mayfield job. He’s a real threat to Baker Mayfield and Bowles and the Joe’s know it. This is why you coaches like Bowles don’t win championships. Bowles makes his decision on who he likes personally not how they play on the field. Just look at Jamle Dean who has never been a good CB the gets burned every game just like against the Steelers in the last game back to back plays . He loved Rashard White and it took him 5 games to make Bucky Irvin the starter and I believe that decision came from up top . You don’t win championships with coaches like that it’s almost time to start looking at the future. I think it’s time to look for a younger quarterback to grow with our young receivers and a younger coach at least next year especially if we don’t get to the NFC Championship game. Winning a trash division and losing in the first or second round playoffs ain’t nothing. All you doing is spinning your wheels in the mud . Mike Evans is just about done they have not even mentioned a new contract and Godwin will be 30 next year coming off another severe injury to his legs he will never be the same receiver again. They need to really consider that next year to have a young quarterback behind Baker.
August 24th, 2025 at 7:15 am
Oneilbuc
I agree. Bowles and his personnel decisions will be one of the many things holding this team back. They never let Trask play with starters but let Teddy do it his first week so that shows what they think about him. Its OK, it will all work out. Trask needs to go to a team that will give him a fair chance.
No excuses this year for Baker and Bowles. If they don’t make it out of the first round of the playoffs who will the media blame this time?
August 24th, 2025 at 8:05 am
Well said, Oneilbuc.
August 24th, 2025 at 8:17 am
I agree 100%….toliet bowl is horrible coach and why the Glazers dont see it IDK…brought in a game clock manager, only because he can’t manage a game.
I was definitely suspicious on the Teddy illness. Felt like then we’re not trying to injure him and.give Trask audition time for other teams…Aiden O’Connell broke wrist last night, maybe Tom calls trask to help out…
Bowels doesn’t accept responsibility for Godwins injury, why playing him that late in garbage time, and why having Teddy play.with starters after 1 week and put out JMac…..what a loser
Defense looked horrible last night, we got problems there..
August 24th, 2025 at 8:46 am
Look at all the Traskies crying like little babies. So if the decision is made Trask is #2 not one of you will give the coach credit for making the right call. All you like to do is b!tch and cry about Bowles and Baker.
August 24th, 2025 at 9:42 am
Does anyone seriously think that an NFL coach would sit his better QB on the bench for YEARS because he won’t go back on a decision made in training camp?
August 24th, 2025 at 10:25 am
if trask is so great, why didn’t the raiders, panthers, or jags make any attempt to sign him-even as a backup-when he was a free agent? all three of those teams have coaching staff who have seen his body of work at practices, preseason games, in the locker room.. and not a single one of them made any attempt to sign him or to make a trade for him. but sure, it was just some kind of conspiracy of bowles to sit the next tom brady behind baker mayfield when his job was on the line for.. reasons. you trask cultists are morons.
August 24th, 2025 at 11:23 am
UK and sunny – spot on. It’s inconvenient for the Trask Suppression Conspiracy theorists to face reality, so they retreat into their pretend world. You can’t get any more delusional than these schmoes.
August 24th, 2025 at 9:56 pm
Sunny. If Baker was so great why is he on his 4th team? Lol 🤣
August 24th, 2025 at 10:01 pm
Aqualung. Please we all know how pro sports works it’s call politics. And let’s be honest Trask was better than Baker Mayfield even in this year camp. Baker went 5-15 and with same players Trask went 11 -17 . But again I hope they do cut Trask . And it’s NFC Championship or bust no more excuses for the choker Baker Mayfield who is 1-7 in prime time games but Baker is elite in your eyes lol 🤣🤣.