Mike Evans Credits Kyle Trask
February 14th, 2025
“Stop texting me, Kyle.”
Bucs fans have enjoyed four years of Kyle Trask mystery.
Is this guy any good? Can he be a starting quarterback? Nobody knows. The 2021 second-round draft pick has barely played and he’s about to turn 27 years old.
Will the Bucs re-sign Trask in free agency? His rookie contract is about to expire.
Joe is very curious to see if the Bucs cut Trask a check, or if any other team is interested in him as a No. 2 QB rather than a No. 3.
Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht has said he would have been comfortable starting Kyle Trask in the 2023 season if Baker Mayfield didn’t win the job.
This week, Mike Evans gave Trask a hell of a compliment. It almost felt like a farewell ‘thank you.’
Evans told Loose Cannons that he owed gratitude to Trask for making him a better player.
That’s right, Evans said Trask is “my boy” and Trask “can play.” Evans said Trask is improving each year and is a great teammate.
Evans added that he’s caught a lot of balls from Trask in practice and receivers need quality QB play in practice in order to improve, and Trask made that happen for him.
Joe doesn’t have a strong feeling about Trask returning or moving on. How could Joe? Trask is an unknown. However, Joe is an empathetic guy and will feel badly for the Trask cult if he leaves Tampa and actually plays some quality football somewhere else.
February 14th, 2025 at 2:41 pm
I wouldn’t be upset if they kept him. He knows the players, is familiar w the system and wouldn’t be expensive. better than the unknown I guess
February 14th, 2025 at 2:43 pm
He’s probably a decent player, but without the Mayfield intangibles.
His value in being a Backup is good per The Bucs and Jason Light.
February 14th, 2025 at 2:47 pm
“Nobody knows?” LOL really Joe? Were 4 years in and have seen 2 lost QB competitions….
The Kyle Trask being a “mystery” ship has sailed…the writing is on the wall, the only mystery at this point is whether Trask is subpar or average at best.
February 14th, 2025 at 2:49 pm
Trask will be snapped up by another team and win a SB…it is the Buc Way.
February 14th, 2025 at 3:10 pm
“Number 2” sums it up😃
February 14th, 2025 at 3:14 pm
The Trask cult deserves to feel bad for being batpoop crazy.
February 14th, 2025 at 3:21 pm
I love Trask and would hate to see him go anywhere else but I wish him well in any non-nfc south team. Baker is the better quarterback but I’m confident we would still win some games with Trask, if Baker went down. Obviously , there’s no NFL proof to back that up.
February 14th, 2025 at 3:29 pm
He will never have the arm to be a successful QB in the league. I knew that when they drafted him as a Gator fan who loved him in college.
February 14th, 2025 at 3:38 pm
I think he looked kinda meh in preseason games, but he Was playing with burger flippers and insurance salesmen. It’s kinda hard to gauge him from that. In Joe’s camp notes he seemed to be up and down a lot more than Baker by my reading. If he goes I wish him well. If he stays I hope they let him close out a few runaway games.
February 14th, 2025 at 3:41 pm
Mike is too humble. It’s the other way around though – Mike has made subpar QBs look competent. Just look at his laundry list of has-been QBs. If anyone has made Mike better, it’s been veteran WRs that have come and gone.
February 14th, 2025 at 3:42 pm
Actually, it will be interesting to see in Canales or Cohen try to sign him. Bryce Young and Trevor Lawrence are Shakey at best.
February 14th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
It will be interesting what all parties decide to do. Trask has not shown anything to any other team for them to make a offer other than prove it back up role.
He has zero chance to beat out Baker in Tampa.
Earl Morrall ?
Don Strock ?
Role in Tampa?
February 14th, 2025 at 3:51 pm
Fred McNeil nailed it: the level of (dis)interest from Canales and Cohen should clear up any mystery about Trask.
February 14th, 2025 at 3:54 pm
Probably go to Jacksonville to help install The snakes system.
February 14th, 2025 at 3:55 pm
I think Trask can clearly throw the ball. Not sure about his mobility. The days of Tom Brady are gone. How many pure pocket passers are starring the NFL these days.
In fairness I haven’t really seen Trask that much. Maybe he runs better than I’ve had a chance to witness. Did not follow him at UF the last place he really played.
I do believe the #2 QB for the Bucs is critical. Baker’s game is very exciting but it’s only a matter of time before one of those nicks and bumps will have him on the sidelines for a spell. If the #2 can keep the team’s playoff chances alive he will be invaluable.
February 14th, 2025 at 3:56 pm
Maybe he hasn’t played much on his rookie contract but he’s sure gotten some great learning opportunities practicing with the GOAT and Baker, and the multiple OCs. If Licht says he’s good to go for our backup we’ll see shortly whether or not he means that. It’s a very important job being the backup QB in the NFL and nobody should know our offense and our culture better than Trask. Keep him if he’ll stay unless better falls in our lap.
February 14th, 2025 at 3:58 pm
Why let him go? He won’t command much. Bringing a new QB in might upset the camaraderie. Don’t create a problem where one doesn’t exist.
And yes he can play. This is exactly the way his HS and college careers went. Behind a better player, biding time, being a good teammate and loyal.
February 14th, 2025 at 4:12 pm
Why he hasn’t been put in games that we are way behind or ahead. Instead of keeping Baker on the field to the end, risking injury, ( ah, Godwin) Trask would get the in game experience he needs. More Bowles nonsense.
February 14th, 2025 at 4:13 pm
Of all the QB’s that were forced into service last year for at least 1 game there were 10 that won one game and 15 that went 0-For. Rattler at NO went 0-6 and I am sure all the Trask haters would have to admit that Kyle could not have done any worse. Dalton will be gone in Carolina after a 2 year $10 million contract. If the competition in 2023 was in fact close and not a predetermined out come due to a Coaches need for self preservation or the veteran candidate bending over and working for 25% of what the big boys were making then Canales might make him an offer.
Of the QB’s drafted after the 2020 season you had Lawrence, Z. Wilson, Lance, Fields, Jones, and then Trask.
That’s 5 QB’s drafted ahead of Trask that haven’t done Richard since. 2000 draft had 6 go down in flames and the 7th guy picked at 199 was still standing. All the QB’s drafted with Trask are flamed out Free Agents except for Lawrence and he hasn’t done much for the money either. Coen is tied to him at the hip for quite a while unless he has carte blanche to move on from him.
He’s flying under the radar and he will certainly get some looks after all he did prepare for 2 full seasons and a few playoff games with one of the best.
Wonder how a 6’5″ @ 240#’s would look in Black and silver?
February 14th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
My guess is they will sign him as a back up if no one else is interested because they’re keeping the contract low.
He’ll know the offense better than others so that’s a benefit.
He has shown promise occasionally in preseason, but when there is pressure on him, he has been horrendous
February 14th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
Hc Grover u r a clown rover Grover
February 14th, 2025 at 4:54 pm
We will find out in the next two months just what Dave Canales and Liam Coen thought of Trask. He will be out there for the taking.
February 14th, 2025 at 6:36 pm
If I was Kyle, I would want to know if I could be a starting quarterback in the NFL, and that certainly isn’t going to happen here. If he signs again, that’s an admission that he thinks he probably can’t
February 14th, 2025 at 7:10 pm
That’s some major props for Kyle.
We should keep him if he’s willing to stay.
He knows the system and he and our offensive playmakers already have a lot of reps together.
February 14th, 2025 at 7:19 pm
It’s not just Kyle you need to worry about losing, ( and you really should worry about that ), but if you are a team with a high salary cap, say, New England or Los Vegas, and you look at the Laundry list of free agents sitting in Tampa , that’s where I would start my one stop shopping, Imagine a 6ft 5 inch 230 lbs quarterback throwing to two 1000 yard recievers then joined by another 1000 yarder / future HOF er ( Chris Godwin) , and Sharp, with a free agent center and guard that are familiar with each other, not to mention another future HOF , linebacker in waiting that has been strung along with one year contracts , plus a plethora of proven Defensive lineman and backs , plus a proven running back/ reciever who might be available for a future draft choice or two , You have the makings of an instant highly competitive team and a proven group of professionals to guide and teach all those young guys you would be able to bring in with all those as yet untouched draft choices, all there for the taking!
February 14th, 2025 at 7:52 pm
Move on. Grab a late rounder backup. The Ohio state, Notre dame or Texas guy would work.
February 14th, 2025 at 8:21 pm
What’s a fair deal for Traskin the Buc’s mind? 4mil? Would another team offer something stupid like Glennon got? Trask should jump if they do. Otherwise, this is Home.
February 14th, 2025 at 8:24 pm
The way I think about it is he should be cheap cause he’s an unknown. We just haven’t needed him, which is a good thing with back to back franchise QBs.
February 14th, 2025 at 10:01 pm
FanoftheSouth
“Wonder how a 6’5″ @ 240#’s would look in Black and silver?”
Well physically he’d look like Josh Allen. Now if he can run over people like Josh he’ll look like a playoff QB in Black and Silver.
Again I haven’t seen him that much, but you make excellent points and I certainly wouldn’t be disappointed if the Buc can find a way to retain him.
February 14th, 2025 at 10:01 pm
trask is the human victory cigar when they roll him onto the field at the end of games
February 14th, 2025 at 10:53 pm
Tbbuc3. It’s funny how people acting like Trask wasn’t better than Baker Mayfield in the 2023 training camp and we have proof of that. However that doesn’t mean Baker didn’t have a good year in the regular season. But the facts are the facts and we all saw what happened in training camp. Baker Mayfield had 9 picks to Kyle Trask 1. But [Joe knows who Ira’s source was and it wasn’t who you mentioned but it was someone who had a direct pipeline to the coaching staff. Not only has Ira never outed his source, Joe knows who it was and it was not the guy you thought. — Joe] told IRA that Baker will be starting regardless of what happened in camp. Not to mention that no one in bucs front office has confirmed that Baker was better that training camp even till this day . And to all of the people that say then why he’s not starting if he was that good. Just look at Sean Tucker and Rashard White and you will get your answer on that question. It’s clearly that Tucker is a better runningback than Rashard White but Bowles is showing favoritetism between White and Tucker and that’s why I can’t wait until Bowles is gone. We winning a Superbowl with Todd Bowles and Baker Mayfield. Maybe Baker and another coach we probably have a chance but as long as Bowles is our HC we ain’t winning a Superbowl. That’s why I love coaches like Pete Carroll who really believes in competition and let the best players play. Our organization doesn’t believe in that and that’s why I believe till this day if we had Russell Wilson and Matt Flynn our coaches and fan base would have chosen Matt Flynn over Russell Wilson.
February 14th, 2025 at 11:44 pm
Kenny Bell and Jalen Darden played great in camp too.
February 15th, 2025 at 3:40 am
Oneilbuc, you’ve got to be some kind of an airhead to believe that Kyle could beat out Baker in any QB competition. There was no conspiracy,come on man! Every single decision maker from OneBuc could see from day one that Mayfield was going to be the starter. Stop beating a dead horse. You’re sounding like a fool.
February 15th, 2025 at 5:58 am
Just when I thought it was getting slow at JBF Joe get all of you to bite yet again.
Less filling! Tastes Great! Less filling! Tastes Great!
Gator Haters Rejoice!
Joe gets the clicks yet again.
Go Bucs!
February 15th, 2025 at 7:17 am
Raiders really haven’t anything, will be interested if Brady pushes for him. Aside from that, of he wants a chance at starting, there’s Nashville, Jets, Giants… can’t think of another one
February 15th, 2025 at 7:59 am
Baker will not win a super bowl as a starting QB when the game is on the line he does something stupid and folds up like a cheap lawn chair, say what you want to say, make yourself believe what you need to believe to feel better but it has been proven
Interception against Detroit
Fumble against Washington
Go ahead and blame someone else for those situations but he was the one holding the ball
February 15th, 2025 at 8:40 am
I don’t see that as a fumble. Ball was snapped, he turned to have it off and JMac was already in his space
February 15th, 2025 at 8:40 am
Kenton Smith:you obviously did not follow the supposed Quarterback “competition “ two years ago, Kyle had been designated the heir apparent starter after Tom Brady’s retirement, But Bowles , fearing for his job ,if Kyle did not do well, and not having confidence in Kyle , he went out and signed Mayfield , then believing that Mayfield would easily beat out Kyle , declared there would be a fair competition during training camp and the Quarterback who performed better , who made the fewest mistakes would be the starter. The problem was , Kyle clearly outperformed Mayfield in the “ competition” , throwing more completions , much fewer interceptions , and fewer miscues such as busted plays and fumbles, Kyle was clearly winning the competition so in the preseason games , Mayfield would come in for a series at the start of the game , throwing one or two , little dink and dunk passes to the starters , leave the game and Kyle would then be left to play with the backups but still outperformed Mayfield . It became obvious the fix was in when during the last preseason game that was supposed to be the culmination of the competition , a head to head matchup between the two quarterbacks , It didn’t happen , Mayfield was held out , and Kyle was left to play the entire game with backups,( which he happened to win), Then Mayfield was declared the winner of the coopetition and gifted the starter position , there had been more fair competitions in Russian elections! To top it off , in the following two years Bowles, terrified that Kyle would outperform Mayfield if allowed to play was not given any opportunity to play or develop , even when the Bucs were well ahead , Kyle was only allowed in to take a knee on the last play of blowouts . That my friend is why so many people who followed the ,”competition “, are so upset by what might have been .
February 15th, 2025 at 9:36 am
@ HC Grover it has happened more than once for sure. Good point @Jimmy
February 15th, 2025 at 10:09 am
Biggest wasted draft pick since Roberto Agauyo
February 15th, 2025 at 10:15 am
JD Still, let’s see here. “Kyle clearly outperformed Mayfield”. “It became obvious the fix was in”. “gifted the starting position”. “more fair competitions in Russian elections”. “Bowles, terrified that Kyle would outperform Mayfield”. “are so upset by what might have been”. I guess JD Still that there is an alternate universe!
February 15th, 2025 at 10:26 am
JD Still
Bawahahahahaha!
Thanks I haven’t laughed so hard in years!
February 15th, 2025 at 10:38 am
So…anyone suggesting that Baker is better than Kyle? They have no true way to know that…and won’t until Trask gets a legit chance.
On the surface, you can say “Trask lost 2 QB competitions”, but we all know the first one was to Tom Brady…no chance to win that one. The second? Bowles claimed it it was a competition, but it wasn’t really. Bowles had his eyes et on Mayfield, and Trask did not have a legit chance. So it was not really a competition.
I hate being lied to, but we cannot really say Bowles was not right. Baker Mayfield is doing well.
But we don’t know if Kyle Trask would have done better, and we will never know. Bowles made the right decision…for him, and for the team.
Trask would have had growing pains due to a lack of starting experience, and he’s got an entirely different personality than Baker. But that doesn’t mean he won’t be good at the next level. It also doesn’t mean he will be good. The truth is, regardless of what ANYONE here says, we don’t know.
If he moves on as a starter, we will find out.
If Baker goes down for a few games, we will find out.
If Baker starts to do badly, we probably won’t find out because Bowles won’t bench him.
If Bowles gets fired? We might find out…depending on who replaces him.
February 15th, 2025 at 10:53 am
If you are suggesting the Bucs keep Trask post-Bowles, then the only way Trask becomes a starter is if Baker Mayfield plays his way out of a starting job.
Joe really doesn’t know of any other fanbase where a sect of people are trying to make the case that their backup is getting shafted because the starting quarterback is among the league’s best. smh
February 15th, 2025 at 11:19 am
Well Kenton , I’m glad You found those facts so amusing, with nothing of consequence to counter them , you simply , laugh. I guess it just goes to show You can lead a jackass to facts but You can’t make him think.
February 15th, 2025 at 11:57 am
All we seen of him in flashes in the pre-season. Canales seemed to have done wonders with him, (he can now throw rocket out-patterns, for instance) in the bit of action I’ve seen last 2 preseasons, he looks good enough to get a chance somewhere. I don’t know of ANYone currently on the Giants, Jets, Titans or Browns who is definitely better than he
February 15th, 2025 at 2:27 pm
Backup QB is so weird. It’s more tragic to see them on the field than a third string corner, even though that corner is likely the 5th best corner on the team (and possibly the 20th best in the division!)—but the QB is clearly the 2nd best QB on the team (and may be the 5th best in the division).
It’s also the position you see the very least of—and in fact scheme ways and plays to ensure the guy is never on the field; three straight go-routes and you’ll see M1K3 put his hand up for a substitution (the very best offensive player in TB HISTORY), but if Baker had three straight plays where he had to scramble like mad, he doesn’t get replaced…the OC just calls a run play to let him catch his breath.
And we will wring our hands about the hopes of the team based on which clipboard-holding, easiest-way-to-get-vested-in-the-NFL, cleanest-jersey-on-the-team person! It’s mind-blowing!
This is the position I think very little about. Nobody knows him better than our coaching staff. I’m a fan of the guy as a Gator fan, but if they think there’s someone out there better, I’m good with that!
February 15th, 2025 at 4:22 pm
Joe . To answer your question we know Trask was better than Baker Mayfield doing the fake competition. The plan back fired Baker was supposed to come in and beat Trask out easy because of his experience. I thought Baker would win the staring job easily because of his experience but he didn’t and they gifted him the staring job. And that doesn’t take away from Baker Mayfield having a good year last year because he did. But to be honest Baker Mayfield has choked 2 playoff games in a row. And the real question is can you win a Superbowl with Baker Mayfield and Todd Bowles ? That’s the real question because Baker hasn’t proved he get the bucs to the NFC Championship at least . So how can anyone say Baker Mayfield can help us win a Superbowl?
February 15th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
Can’t say that was the evaluation (Joe was at *every* practice). Once again, you never accept the following reality: Todd Bowles was on the hot seat. He begged Licht to get Mayfield. There was no way Bowles was going to trust his career (and millions of dollars) to Kyle Trask UNLESS Trask was so damn good Bowles couldn’t pull him of the field. Trask wasn’t close to being that good (he may have been a hair better than Mayfield in practice, though Mayfield was more consistent).
February 15th, 2025 at 5:44 pm
If we can retain him then yes ofcourse…
Buy if the ticket cost to much let him see what the other teams offer.
I was one who was ready to see him play after Brady but baker has done enough to deserve the job in my eyes
February 15th, 2025 at 6:21 pm
Joe. I understand where you coming from with your statement and I also understand the business side of having Baker Mayfield here as a starter because he brings another fan base to the bucs. But I do appreciate your honesty Joe!!
February 15th, 2025 at 10:04 pm
Well said JD
February 15th, 2025 at 11:29 pm
Mayfield as a FIVE year veteran of over 72 games AND playoffs should have blown Trask who had ZERO game experience out of the water but DIDN’T. According to the practice notes of one of these Joe’s Trask out performed Mayfield constantly in practice on a regular basis and it wasn’t until the end of training camp Trask threw a few more interceptions which allowed Baker to catch up in that category. Trask didn’t look good his 1st few seasons but was never afraid to throw the ball down field which I liked. 2023 was a total different look for him. He looked great with a stronger arm and sense of purpose. The Bucs have never drafted a starting qb who’s received a 2nd contact and after that “competition” I thought he could be that guy especially after Mayfields showing in training camp and then his smoke and mirrors statistically good 2023 season in which he sucked entire half of games and choked the Detroit game at the most crucial moment. 2024 was a total different thing for me. He earned that contract he received and was the best player on offense and wasn’t the reason we lost in the playoffs. He is our starting qb because he finally earned it. He’s put most of his detractors to rest. Trask is a moot point. If he thinks he can start he needs to go somewhere else because he’ll never start here as long as Baker is healthy who is tough as nails.
February 16th, 2025 at 6:51 am
The bucs will stick with Mayfield and continue to win the south until the rest of the teams improve, and they will, then the bucs will be average. May win the south or a wild card spot but will not make it to the super bowl with the elite NFC teams out there, Baker is good enough to get them to the playoffs but no further.
February 16th, 2025 at 1:45 pm
If Trask can be number 2 we should keep him. If he can’t beat out Pratt he should be let go and us bring in a rookie for development.
I think that he is just as effective as Mayfield. However, we never saw him during the regular season which is the fault of the coaches.
February 19th, 2025 at 3:29 am
These trask haters must have some inside knowledge the rest of us don’t. How exactly do y’all know he is trash? The truth is y’all don’t. We don’t know what he is. What we do know is that he was in the same position in high school and college and guess what, he excelled when given a chance to start. Also trask hasn’t lost a competition because there were no competitions. Baker was clearly always the starter and trask wasn’t going to back up Brady. Brady didn’t want a rookie backup. Do yall really think the bucs would have an unknown rookie backup when they are making superbowl runs. The plan was always For him to sit and learn. If there was truly a competition with baker then why didn’t they both play with the starters in the preseason? Trask was moving the ball with the second and third string. Most of the mistakes were not his fault. In the regular season trask threw an excellent touchdown pass that Godwin dropped. Some of y’all have seem to have a personal grudge against trask for no reason. The bucs say he is a great dude and great teammate. Why all the hate.
February 21st, 2025 at 9:55 am
Even Joe admitted that Trask was a hair better than Baker Mayfield which means he should have been the starter. If Pete Carroll was our HC he would have started Trask over Baker Mayfield. But Baker Mayfield was gifted the staring job and yes he played good in the regular season but chocked in the playoffs for the second year in a row. Todd Bowles will never have real competition on this team. Bowles is the type of coach if he likes you he will start you even if the player behind you is better. Just look at Rashard White and Sean Tucker it’s clear that Tucker is the better runningback but Rashard White is starting because Bowles like White more than Tucker. Look how long it took him to let Bucky start over White. There goes your facts about the Kyle Trask and Baker Mayfield fake competition.