Kyle

Trask

None of the four of them signed yet, so it’s possible the Colts are just doing some homework on a potential Anthony Richardson replacement at backup quarterback rather than settling for this pool of candidates. Trask hadn’t had a workout since being released by the Bucs at last cuts.

The Buccaneers will work out an injury settlement for Trask, as he’s currently dealing with a shoulder issue. A second-round pick for some reason in 2021, Trask has been the backup quarterback for the Bucs over the last four seasons, but that honor will now apparently go to Teddy Bridgewater. Trask is likely a practice squad player for a new organization in the coming days.

Trask was initially drafted in the second round of the 2021 draft, spending the last four years as the Buccaneers’ backup quarterback. He’s only thrown 11 passes in the NFL, completing four of them for 28 yards. Trask will backup Baker Mayfield again for 2025.

Mayfield was sacked on consecutive plays and was brutally twisted up and taken down on the second one. After the second sack, Mayfield’s right ankle was accidentally stepped on by Jadeveon Clowney, slamming the outer side of Mayfield’s right ankle down to the ground, pinned underneath Clowney’s body weight. Update: Mayfield returned to play but immediately threw an interception.

Kyle Trask is expected to get most of the Bucs’ first-team reps in practice this week with Mayfield struggling through a rib injury he picked up in last week’s loss to the Saints. Tampa head coach Todd Bowles said he expects Mayfield to play in the team’s critical Week 18 game against the Panthers. Mayfield’s Friday practice status will likely dictate whether he will be active against Carolina. “I’ll do everything I can to be out there,” Mayfield said Wednesday. “That’s for sure. Division on the line. Playoff hopes on the line. Going back to Carolina? Yeah, I’ll do everything. I can.” Mayfield has the NFL’s sixth highest drop back EPA this season.

Mayfield suffered the injury while attempting a sneak at the goal line. He stayed down for a while after getting piled on by a few players near the end zone. He eventually limped off the field, clearly in a lot of pain. Kyle Trask is now under center for the Bucs.

And there ends the most dismal training camp competition in NFL history. Mayfield gets the nod for opening day even after Trask impressed in preseason Week 2 against the Jets, completing 20 of his 28 passes for 218 yards and a score. Mayfield is probably the best bet for Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to prove viable for those who draft them as a WR3 or WR4 in redraft leagues. Mayfield is nothing more than a superflex flier.

Trask served as the QB2 in Tampa Bay’s opening preseason game a week ago but got the start this time around. He played a half of football before hitting the pines, but a neck injury to John Wolford brought Trask back onto the field in the fourth quarter. Trask took care of the ball while throwing a handful of strikes for gains of 20 or more yards. The Bucs’ coaching staff has made it clear that they value ball security highly and Trask turned things around this week after throwing an ugly interception a week ago. Baker Mayfield remains the favorite to start in Week 1, but Trask has at least made things a legitimate competition in Tampa Bay.

Trask’s starting chances took a hit with an interception on his first drive. It didn’t get much better from there, with Trask taking three sacks over his next three series before exiting. The third-year quarterback connected on a pair of deep shots, completing two 20-yard passes and averaging 9.9 YPA but this was a step back for Trask as he competes with Mayfield for the Bucs’ starting job. Trask is expected to get the start in Tampa’s second preseason game.

Baker Mayfield has already been named as the starter for the Bucs’ first preseason game against the Steelers, but Trask is set to take the reins in the second preseason game. Trask and Mayfield are locked in a training camp battle to be the team’s Week 1 starter. With neither having particularly strong training camps, the winner of this battle could be on a short leash come the regular season.