Jason Licht: Knowledge Drove Kyle Trask Decision
March 31st, 2025
When popular Bucs backup quarterback Kyle Trask signed his second Bucs contract this month, he didn’t have a formal press conference to address Bucs nation.
So today when Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht talked to local reporters at the NFL owners meetings, he addressed the Trask signing and ensured fans that the right guy is in the building behind Baker Mayfield.
Almost no snaps through four NFL seasons doesn’t mean the Bucs feel they’re lacking a stud backup, Licht emphasized. The Bucs may not know if Trask is a future franchise QB, but Licht said the team knows Trask inside and out and really likes what he’s shown them.
As Joe said on The Ira Kaufman Podcast, the Bucs would have looked like hypocrites if they didn’t re-sign Trask. So much of this offseason has been about keeping the band together, especially on offense with first-time playcaller Josh Grizzard.
The Bucs are craving continuity for Grizzard and Trask is part of that.
Of course, there’s always the internal Bucs chatter that Trask was “this close” to winning the starting QB job in August of 2023, but Baker Mayfield beat him out.
How do you bail on a young backup that allegedly was neck-and-neck with a guy that quickly became a Pro Bowl starter?
March 31st, 2025 at 4:16 pm
Honestly so much wrong with this topic being on the roster, not even worth discussing it.
“Knowledge” doesn’t play the game. Talent does. So much more.
March 31st, 2025 at 4:16 pm
To your last question, you don’t. Another smart move by Licht.
March 31st, 2025 at 4:21 pm
Bushlover
Can you provide the “Talent” grade for Trask and then a few more QBs as a reference, so we can better understand your point? It seems heisman runner up, 2nd round pick, and backup to Tom Brady and Baker Mayfield doesn’t hold much weight for you.
March 31st, 2025 at 5:16 pm
If the Bucs get a big lead on an opponent this year, I’d like to see Trask get a chance to play. When it makes sense the Bucs should test Trask under real game time situations.
March 31st, 2025 at 5:30 pm
Another blind spot has shown up for Licht.
Add it to the list of drafted DEs, QBs, and lord help us Kickers.
He’s acting like we won the Superbowl last year and we must keep the band together.
Far from it sir. You lost in the first round at home, on a national stage, to a rookie QB, forced zero punts, and lost letting Bowles run out his lousy defense to ruin the party.
Genius he is not. Just a beer gut with nothing to lose.
March 31st, 2025 at 5:38 pm
Agree with @buc4evr. Trask needs real NFL experience at the end of some games, where he can play against some starters and throw the ball. He needs real experience before the Bucs really need him if Bake goes down.
March 31st, 2025 at 6:47 pm
I disagree. The Bucs know what they have in trask. They must value him at least as a backup.
March 31st, 2025 at 7:36 pm
put him in for cleanup duty….
March 31st, 2025 at 7:38 pm
Trask is a known commodity, thus his resigning was an easy decision.
March 31st, 2025 at 8:03 pm
Bringing Kyle back makes sense to me.
He knows the system, he’s gotten practice reps in with the starters for the past few years. And he was willing to come back.
As others have said, I’d like to see him get on the field during a few games, so we can really see what we’ve got.
And, frankly, if Baker gets injured it’ll go a lot better for Kyle and the team if he’s already gotten some time under center in actual games.
March 31st, 2025 at 8:26 pm
The bad part about playing Trask with a big lead is that you usually take out your 1st teamers except on the line so if he’s not playing with all the weapons Baker has how can you really judge his play, apples to apples? Everyone has said how Godwin got hurt in a no win situation so what’s the difference in saving them from injury with a lead?
March 31st, 2025 at 8:29 pm
And to add the only way to really find out is to play the guy with all the live bullets, game and 1st downs on the line, with something meaningful to play for but thats not happening except with an injury to Baker, which I don’t want to see. Best case is secure homefield through the playoff’s, rest Baker and play Trask with the starters. But the risk of injury going into the playoffs with another starter is………….
March 31st, 2025 at 9:30 pm
You people think if Trask gets in for ‘cleanup duty’ that Bowles will let him throw it? And do you really believe he’ll have starters to throw to?
No. His job will be to hand the ball off, eat clock and not blow it.
He is a backup. The new Ryan Griffin.
March 31st, 2025 at 9:50 pm
Has anyone realized that Trask is the first Quarterback drafted by the Buccaneers to win a second contract with them? I didn’t ever think that was going to happen with a back up 🤣
March 31st, 2025 at 10:22 pm
But, but, but…What about all of the Trask fans that thought the Bucs somehow did Trask dirty? Would you say this finally puts that to rest, the fact the Trask resigned with the Bucs?
March 31st, 2025 at 11:25 pm
If the Bucs are confident they know who Trask is and what he can do, why play him before he’s needed and let other teams close the knowledge gap?
April 1st, 2025 at 12:22 am
I would bet if they gave this kid a chance he might play better than Baker Mayfield. That’s just me tho idk for sure but I bet you this kid can ball out! He should be a starter somewhere. Come on Geno Smith…. This kid sat behind the GOAT for a few years and now Baker he’s ready to prove something. I would bet on it. Like SF GB or Minnesota Period. I’m sorry I’ve seen the kid throw he’s really talented… Plus now he’s got the brains to go with it.
April 1st, 2025 at 1:38 am
Proudbucsfan Says
“Has anyone realized that Trask is the first Quarterback drafted by the Buccaneers to win a second contract with them?”
I was abot to point out the same thing, lol.
April 1st, 2025 at 1:39 am
Dean Jace Says
“I would bet if they gave this kid a chance he might play better than Baker Mayfield.”
Different styles of QB, but give him a few games to settle down, and he just might.
April 1st, 2025 at 3:11 am
Now get the man some snaps with the ones please. Not just handing the ball to the third string RB either. Also not after Baker gets hurt hopefully.
Go Bucs!
April 1st, 2025 at 3:40 am
Trask could be like a good vintage and well aged red wine just waiting to be uncorked to show his stuff. We just don’t know. He’s gotta be fine tuning his craft while riding those pines for all those years. I say not a bad bet with little invested and huge upside potential imo. To me it just shows the savy of licht and company.
April 1st, 2025 at 9:28 am
This was an easy signing for Licht as Trask knows the system and his lane and won’t rock the boat.
April 1st, 2025 at 10:25 am
If he was what some people on this site thinks he is WHY DID NO ONE MAKE A RUN AT HIM. Also, if he feels that he is a starter, then why did he not go to a team that needs a QB and compete for the starting role?
Baker left a good situation in LA to come to compete for a starter role. Trask knows what his skill level is, the Traskies on this site do not. BTW, I think he is a good guy and made the right decision.
April 1st, 2025 at 3:40 pm
Bakerfan. You think Baker Mayfield is greatest quarterback of all time lol 🤣🤣! We saw what happened in training camp Kyle Trask out played Baker Mayfield and they gifted Baker Mayfield the starting job he didn’t earn it. And the Rams were going to sing Baker Mayfield as a back up quarterback. No other HC wanted Baker Mayfield as their starter but Todd Bowles. And so far Baker Mayfield haven’t even played in a NFC Championship. It’s NFC Championship or bust no more excuses. Baker Mayfield has a good running game and offensive line with good receivers and a decent defense that’s going to be better this year. And I don’t care about those games Baker played good against teams that were setting up their draft picks for the next year. It’s time to put up or shut up no more excuses at least get to the NFC Championship .
April 1st, 2025 at 5:16 pm
Oneilbuc…. you are full of crap.
April 2nd, 2025 at 12:44 pm
Hopefully he Will do well if needed! He was a gunslinger as a Florida Gator!!