Rondé Barber: “Controversy” At No. 2 Quarterback
August 24th, 2025
“Jason, that QB info is almost as interesting as your coat.”
Joe knows who Bucs icon Rondé Barber hangs with at One Buc Palace, and also with the same folks outside One Buc Palace. So any chatter from Barber about Bucs personnel, Joe is listening closely.
Barber’s words about the Bucs’ backup quarterback situation last night jumped out.
Barber had the following to say in the opening of last night’s Backup Bowl. The conversation on WFLA-TV’s broadcast between play-by-play man and Fan of JoeBucsFan.com, Chris Myers, and Barber, centered on reserve QB Kyle Trask.
Until recently, Trask was locked in as Baker Mayfield’s immediate backup. That situation became murky when the Bucs signed long-time veteran starter Teddy Bridgewater — and then Bridgewater played with the starters against the Steelers last weekend while Trask did not.
Trask has been, well, consistently inconsistent. This isn’t new. He’s been that way since the Bucs drafted him in the second round in 2021. He may have two good practices in a row, then flames out in the third practice.
In speaking about Trask, Barber issued a warning to the WFLA-TV Channel 8 viewing audience.
“Yes, there is definitely a controversy right now with Teddy Bridgewater coming into the building [recently] and playing well against Pittsburgh,” Barber said.
Oh?
Given that Barber rubs elbows with Bucs shot-callers both inside and outside of One Buc Palace, and he’s also a part of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht’s kitchen cabinet, that was a bold statement.
If the Bucs wanted to light a fire under Trask, perhaps it may be working. For example, on Thursday, the final open practice of the 2025 calendar year for the local pen and mic club, Trask was damn sharp. Likely his best practice this summer.
Trask didn’t do anything spectacular, but what he did do was very efficient. Crisp, sharp throws in the abbreviated underwear football session. No lollipops. The throws were precise, placed very well to help receivers get YAC.
It may have been Trask’s most accurate practice.
Then last night, Trask wasn’t awful at all. Not remotely so. In fact, his touchdown pass to Tez Johnson on a fade near the right sideline, Joe has seen the Bucs run that play over a dozen times this summer with little success.
But Trask got that play to work against the Backup Bills.
Maybe Bridgewater is exactly what Trask needed? Maybe he needed to be pushed? Maybe he needed someone to breathe down his neck?
If that is the case, the way Trask played last night, signing and playing Bridgewater was damn smart.
August 24th, 2025 at 8:02 am
BUECHELE is better than either of our back up options
August 24th, 2025 at 8:18 am
Trask also had a TD pass dropped in Bills game.Trask knows the system inside out and will be the backup.
August 24th, 2025 at 8:18 am
But Mayfield is a model of consistency? Seems I remember him throwing five interceptions in a practice this year, ,(3 were dropped by the defensive backs , two they managed to hold on to), and he also fumbled the football while running when no one even touched him! ( and let’s not even talk about his “consistency” in critical playoff games ), funny how things like that are never mentioned.
August 24th, 2025 at 8:19 am
If you have 3 qb’s, you don’t have 2?
August 24th, 2025 at 8:24 am
I guess JD Still thinks Trask can put up 4500yds 43TD/16int 107pr stat line this year. Okaaaaayyy sir lol. Just put the Bong down please
August 24th, 2025 at 8:26 am
Buechelle? I thought that was Mike Vick out there the way he made our defense look silly. Why can’t this defense, even the starters contain, and get a QB on the ground?
August 24th, 2025 at 8:27 am
Teddy will be QB #2. Don’t need to be connected, a blind man can see that!
August 24th, 2025 at 8:33 am
Hodad, that is not the design of Bowles defense. It is bend, don’t break. Todd does not believe our DEs should rush the passer on 3rd and mid. They are extra coverage guys.#1 reason our defense is bottom five. He is stuck in the 90’s with his DL running zone coverages.
How brilliant dropping Vita Vea into coverage multiple times last year. Would want him rushing the QB on obvious pass downs and collapsing the pocket.
Keeping Bowles was our biggest mistake of the offseason
August 24th, 2025 at 8:37 am
Or maybe, Trask is following the same old pattern. Horrible performance against the Steelers last week, somewhat respectable performance against the Bills this week.
Thank goodness we don’t get to see which Trask he will be in the next game.
August 24th, 2025 at 8:51 am
Whatev absolutely right. Todd dropped every pass rusher into coverage on that 3rd down allowing Buechell to get outside completely a long 1st down, that eventually lead to the FG that ended the half. It’s maddening he keeps doing that. He needs to turn the play calling off to Foote, or Caldwell. Both did better than Todd the first 2 preseason games. The defense under Todd last night looked like Iost. It wasn’t always the players who messed up, it was the play caller. Todd did not put his players in a position to succeed.
August 24th, 2025 at 8:52 am
I thought Trask was sharp and precise. The td pass was perfect. It looked like, with extended playing time, that he found his rhythm. I have thought all along, if Baker goes down with injury, Kyle could come in and lead this team. You can’t get in rhythm with only a few reps in games and expect to be a superstar. At Florida, in 22 games he threw for 7386 yards and 69 tds with 15 ints. With a passer rating of 168.5. 4th in Heisman voting. All of us want Bake to stay healthy. All of us should be confident, that Trask will get it done when called upon. Go Bucs!!!
August 24th, 2025 at 8:59 am
I’m a die hard gators fan. 2020 SEC Championship game, Trask played lights out against Alabama’s top defense. That’s the last time I saw him play well. After Brady retired in 2022, Trask was given the opportunity to study Brady as one of the backups for two years, I just knew he would be his successor. Then along comes Mayfield, in his first year 2023, he outplays Trask in preseason. Year five n Trask has shown no improvement. I’m sorry, Trask is not the answer. Bridgewater, is not long term but let’s keep him for now, then bring in a quality understudy for Mayfield.
August 24th, 2025 at 9:03 am
The Trask brigade is sensitive
August 24th, 2025 at 9:10 am
Cut Trask and he will be a Raider before the night falls.
August 24th, 2025 at 9:12 am
imo that QB looked great because our DLs at bottom of roster are pretty bad. we need another meatball to put int he middle at the nose. if Vea and Gaines are splitting snaps-ish, we got nobody big enough. we can move tweener guys like hall or roberts or kancey etc, but that prolly causes unforeseen problems at another spot. i know most think we have strong DL depth, but not with size. we got no push late and that QB got better and better as our depth entered the game.
August 24th, 2025 at 9:15 am
idea, keep trask on roster for gameday emergencies. keep greene on roster at third gameday qb. keep bridgewater on practice squad with the understanding he can come and go as he likes, serving as a coach/QB. he might like the freedom and would possibly turn down other offers unless they are for a starting role. full disclosure, i’ve got a crush on TB. he’s the man big picture.
August 24th, 2025 at 9:17 am
If he goes to the raiders, will we see another Steve Young
situation, where he comes in and tears up the league. I hope not.
August 24th, 2025 at 9:38 am
Bridgewater, no job two weeks ago. Completes 54% of his passes and gets a receiver destroyed. Sign him to a 3 year 186 million dollar contract immediately, we can’t let this guy hit the open market
August 24th, 2025 at 9:39 am
I thought Connor did pretty good. It’s a tough call about Trask. Hate to be in Jason and Todd’s shoes.
Agree with other comments. Trask could go to the Raiders. Maybe even the Jags.
August 24th, 2025 at 9:40 am
It seems that Whatev and Hodad are enlightened fans that you can count me in with as a Very Concerned fan!
I was FOOLED last week into believing that it was Bowles calling the plays and getting the “desired results” MANY of us have been POUNDING THE TABLE FOR!
After watching the Clown Show play calling come rushing back in like a “Bad Nightmare” with it made clear that Bowles was back in the “play calling, drivers seat”, I want to Throw Up!
Bowles…. your designs aren’t working. They DID NOT work last year and EVEN the oppositions THIRD AND FORTH STRINGERS SEE YOU COMING! They are Not buying the garbage your selling and Continued to Capitalize on you foolery. Bowles played his part in making sure that Buffalo won the game! The other two defensive coaches had GREAT SUCCESS! EACH was able to get Three interceptions and the backups played pretty tight and we Won those games! When you took over……. What a Crap Show!
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR BRAIN? Let me ask a STUPID QUESTION….. Why aren’t pass rushers allowed to rush the passer (including ALL of the defensive line)? Personally, I’M CONVINCED that YOU Screwed Up JTS’ HEAD! You had that kid SO CONFUSED THAT HE DIDN’T KNOW WHICH WAY WAS UP. JTS Constantly looked Disjointed and Obscure… YOU Bowles! YOU did that to him. YOU ARE THE WORST EVER TO BE INVOLVED WITH FOR ANY PASS RUSHER! Bowles, It’s BOWLES who has Removed our defensive Teeth! NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!
I REALLY WISH THAT THE OWNERS OR SOMEONE WITH THE NADS AND THE POWER TO DO SO INSISTED ON AN ACTUAL DEFENSIVE COACH TO TEACH AND LEAD THESE MEN BECAUSE AS FAR AS I’M CONCERNED YOU’RE NO BETTER THAN MIKE SMITH! Just FAR MORE Confusing……
Whatev was right! Keeping Bowles WAS the Biggest mistake of the off-season, Especially WITHOUT INSISTING on a FULL TIME Defensive Coach!
Bowles may have his “charms” but he has No Business calling defensive plays anymore. His plays are disjointed and obscure and almost COMPLETELY ineffective..!
August 24th, 2025 at 9:40 am
Teddy Bridgewater has thrown for 15,120 yards with 75 tds
Kyle Trask has thrown for 28 yards and 0 tds
Yeah let’s talk about how sharp Kyle looked against 3rd and 4th stringers..
August 24th, 2025 at 9:44 am
Trask is going to end up in Carolina
August 24th, 2025 at 9:56 am
Thought Trask would have learned something from Brady but guess i was wrong-Bridgewater will be #2 qb
August 24th, 2025 at 10:06 am
The next Steve Young. LOL. Steve had Jerry Rice and that 49er dynasty. Trask will go to the NFL dustbin of teams. Trask fumbled an under center snap and messed up a simple I- formation dive. 5 years of nothing. Bye-Bye. I am sure the Raiders/Panthers/Saints can’t wait to sign this guy to a 100 mil contract. Please let him stay in the division.
If he is lucky he will be the next Trent Dilfer. Land on a team with a legendary defense, wait until the starter is injured and basically, win despite of his complete inability to play QB at even a mediocre level.
August 24th, 2025 at 10:11 am
Considering our backup QB situation…We can do better. Our current options bother me. I thought Baselak (however you spell his name) looked better than Trask did his first few years with us. I think Teddy’s absolute lack of mobility is the biggest issue, though his experience in real games is a positive.
August 24th, 2025 at 10:19 am
Let’s talk about how sharp Bridgewater looked with the ones, or should I say how he was bailed out by the ones. Let’s also talk how sharp Bridgewater was last season, or the season before that or how he almost won MVP in 2022….
The problem is, this staff has evaluated Trask for the past four seasons. They knew exactly what they had in him and if they didn’t like it they should’ve never resigned him in the offseason. At that point, they should’ve brought in a QB they actually liked and let that QB have a full offseason as the #2. Overall it’s just been piss poor management of the back up QB situation.
August 24th, 2025 at 10:24 am
There is no controversy, Bridgewater is our #2. He didn’t put his coaching career on hold and sign to be a 3rd stringer or a practice squad guy. He came in with a guaranteed #2 spot on a handshake agreement. It was obvious when he got the start in Pittsburg with the 1st string offense over Trask. If Trask is lucky he gets plucked from our practice squad and gets a shot somewhere else. It isn’t happening here for him.
August 24th, 2025 at 10:38 am
Joe … ‘Trask didn’t do anything spectacular, but what he did do was very efficient. Crisp, sharp throws in the abbreviated underwear football session. No lollipops. The throws were precise, placed very well to help receivers get YAC.’
Since you’ve been there for every preseason practice over the last 5 seasons to watch Kyle Trask and none of the rest of us have, I’ll take your assessment as being the most valid. Tells me that Kyle has the ability, but he just consistency. Newsflash: so does Baker Mayfield. And so will Teddy Bridgewater.
Not concerned about who’ll be the #2 QB; that’s Todd Bowles’ decision, not ours. I am convinced however that the Bucs WILL keep BOTH Bridgewater AND Trask. All 3 will dress on gamedays, but only 2 will count towards the 46-man roster (the 3rd will be the emergency QB). Yes it costs a roster spot (on the 53-man active roster), but given our propensity for injuries lately, that’s the best way to mitigate risk over a 21-game season (yes we are shooting for the Super Bowl). Baker’s sturdy, but so was Tristan & others. Injuries are simply a fact of life in the NFL.
August 24th, 2025 at 10:42 am
WaterundertheBridge will be the #2 QB… Trask will be the #3. Bowles won’t let Trask get poached from the PS and actually play well for another team.
August 24th, 2025 at 10:56 am
dmatt
What are you talking about?
Every analyst said Trask outplayed baker throughout camp when they brought baker in. Then they put baker in for like 1 drive with the starters and named home the starter. Trask again never got the chance to prove what he can do with the starters.
Baker has proven to be a gamer, but at the same time he is super inconsistent and will go long stretches in game looking really bad in game. He is playing with one of the best wide receiver /running back rooms / o-lines in
August 24th, 2025 at 11:33 am
Teddy has played for six NFL teams.
And yes, he has been very consistent by failing every time.
Meanwhile, Trask has never been given a single chance to start.
Do we really want a proven failure over a guy who knows the system?
Geez—at least give Trask the chance to fail. The only thing we know about him is he was a very good college QB.
Give the kid a chance!!
August 24th, 2025 at 12:08 pm
Okay. I love my man Trask. What he did that last season of College was legendary. I don’t care what anyone thinks. Trask in a Shortened season by 3 games. Put up almost the same numbers as Joe Burrow the year before. TD to INT ratio was definitely in Trasks court. But. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done nothing but lie to him since Todd took over.
Now. I will not argue. Bridgewater is the better choice but isn’t he injury prone? Maybe I’m wrong? If Mayfield goes down. Bridgewater may not last either. The number 2 though, will be Bridgewater. I would have loved to see what Trask might have been able to do with a couple of games with the ones. Why does Tampa have an issue destroying drafted QBs?
August 24th, 2025 at 12:13 pm
Trask had two big drops by Kam. I’m not a Gator’s fan, but I do recall him having similar stats in his final year of college as Mayfield had in his. I hope he does leave, so that he can get a real opportunity to show his abilities. There were Browns fans who wanted Baker out, and now they regret it. Trask is our best bet at #2.
August 24th, 2025 at 12:15 pm
Not big on TRask But I would still keep him ovr Bidgewater. He’s young, showing bigtime improvement and knows the system inside and out. Teddy is good. But his best days are behind him. He’s long in the tooth and has had several injuries during his career. Longevity wise, there is more upside to Trask.
August 24th, 2025 at 12:33 pm
I think it was Ronde who said the Bucs might keep Trask as nominal #2 but turn to Bridgewater to start if Msyfield gets hurt. Maybe they should do the opposite: Teddy is I -game reliever, Trask second starter.
August 24th, 2025 at 12:34 pm
“in-game reliever”
August 24th, 2025 at 12:40 pm
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done nothing but lie to him since Todd took over.”
OK I’ll cut some slack for the hyperbole in “nothing BUT LIE’ but again in what sense did they LIE to him.
I honestly do not get this line of thought. It’s a Professional league. People’s feelings are irrelevant. How did the Buc LIE (nothing but!) to Trask? What truth were they omitting. What was their motivation. These are intended as honest questions since I read this from more than just few posters.
August 24th, 2025 at 12:41 pm
Bridgewater the WR killer
August 24th, 2025 at 1:03 pm
There is a pattern here. Super Todd signs his guy, lets “his guy” play with the starters so he looks decent, makes Trask plays with backups so he doesnt look decent and then sits “his guy” and pretends “his guy” did enough to win the job but was clearly handed the job.
August 24th, 2025 at 2:13 pm
Bridge has the undisputable advantage in experience. The 2 spot will go to Bridge.
If he gets some playing time and launches a few long completions he will be given the nickname “Skyway Bridgewater.”
August 24th, 2025 at 2:36 pm
Bridewater looked better in his one start with 2 weeks of learning the offense than Trask has looked in 5 years.
Nuff said. Bridgewater is better.
August 24th, 2025 at 3:17 pm
Joe, you have consistently said Trask’s play in camp has been suspect, and you have been consistently wrong. Most of his preseason showings have been excellent — with the exception of last week given three bad snaps and wrong routes run by several receivers.
We get it – – you committed to a certain perspective and you’re trying to defend it. But it’s indefensible. Why? Because the truth is that the Bucs have failed to develop Kyle. They have had multiple opportunities to give him first-team reps in the preseason. They haven’t had multiple opportunities to give him meaningful snaps in actual games when they had big leads. Instead, they have allowed him to languish on the bench. To add insult to injury, they bring in an 11 year journeyman with no playoff appearances and a noodle arm and gift him first-team reps last week rather than Trask. Then we hear “fans” like you say “the kid has shown nothing.” Ridiculous.
At this stage, it would probably be better for Kyle to move on and get a legit opportunity elsewhere. But if the Bucs brass is wise — and we’re not seeing much evidence that they are – – they will hold onto him given that they have a legit chance to go deep in the playoffs this season. Mayfield‘s game is electric, but it’s also dangerous in that he exposes himself to collisions quite often. It’s very likely that the backup QB will see meaningful time. And to anyone who knows anyone anything about football, a younger, bigger, more durable, quarterback — with a far better arm and better knowledge of the playbook — is the clear choice.
August 24th, 2025 at 3:37 pm
Trask can lead the Buccaneers successfully! He knows the system, that’s the key to it all. If Baker gets injured, I fully trust Trask to lead this team with the starting offense. Grizzard would have to tailor the offense around Trask. Remember, Brad Johnson led the Bucs through the playoffs and their first Super Bowl win. Brad just got the job done, nothing special about him.
I think it would be a mistake to promote Bridgewater to backup quarterback. Just my opinion.
Go Bucs 2025 !!
August 24th, 2025 at 4:51 pm
TRASK WILL BE CUT.
It’s obvious that Bowles never liked him for whatever reason.
Clearly a promise was made to Mayfield’s agent that Mayfield would be the starter if he signed that “prove it” deal with us. There’s no way there was an actual QB competition in camp that year, that’s total nonsense.
Bowles never let Trask play in garbage time of which there were many games that were out of reach with plenty of time left. Bowles never let Trask play in a preseason game with the starting O-Line.
Bowles starting Teddy with the starters last week was such a slap in the face to Trask.
It’s obvious that Bowles is going with “his guy” no matter what happened on the field or in practice.
Kyle Trask will be cut.
August 25th, 2025 at 1:11 pm
Trask dick riders still making excuses. After I’ve been saying for 2 years that Kyle is trade bait, I now don’t even see value in that. QB’s are supposed to progress over their first 2-3 years, this less than average QB has been consistently bland. I sure wouldn’t want him coming in when there’s money on the line. Dump him and keep TB, start shopping for trades on a better QB to develop