Kyle Trask time: Bruce Arians, GM Jason Licht confident in former Florida QB
Kyle Trask has not logged many regular-season snaps during his professional career, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be confident in the former Florida standout taking over in the post-Tom Brady era.
Bruce Arians was Tampa Bay’s head coach for Kyle Trask’s 2021 rookie season. Arians stepped down in 2022 but remains with the Buccaneers as a senior advisor. He said the Bucs like what they have in Trask.
“I think we’re in good hands with Kyle Trask,” Arians said on The Rich Eisen Show this week. “I love Kyle, he’s been there 2 years now, saw Tom work. Blaine Gabbert was a great mentor for him.”
Trask receiving minimal playing time with Gabbert, who can become a free-agent, serving as the backup. Arians explained that the Bucs will see who else is out there, but the team is comfortable with Trask as being the main quarterback.
“But just like three years ago, you’ve gotta search what’s behind door No. 2,” Arians told Eisen. “Three years ago, we never would’ve guessed Tom Brady was behind door No. 2. So you do your research, you do all your homework, and you decide what’s best for you. But right now, I’m very comfortable if Kyle’s our guy.”
Tampa Bay General Manager Jason Licht sounds not only comfortable with Trask, but confident in the former Heisman Trophy finalist. Licht reportedly believes that the Bucs would have the NFC South’s best quarterback with Trask as the starter, per ESPN insider Jeff Darlington.
“The Bucs, from my conversations with the organization, they do feel like Kyle Trask is likely to be the guy under center,” Darlington said during a recent TV appearance. “I feel pretty confident that they’re going that direction.”
Darlington continued, “I think [Licht] believes Kyle Trask has what it takes to be a winner in this league. And he looks around the division, and he says, ‘well, we’ve got the best quarterback in the division at the very least’. So I’m not saying that means much, but I think that he at least thinks they can be competitive with Kyle Trask.”
— nfldovkleiman (@nfldov) February 23, 2023
Before TDOW gets a chance to tell us all what a turd Trask is simply because he didn’t go to Georgia, where he wouldn’t even qualify as a water boy, I’ll take this opportunity to mention that one of the best aspects of Kyle’s character is patience. Patience in spades, in fact.
Kyle Trask definitely has the arm. As long as he progresses in his reads of the defense he’ll be fine. This year may be bumpy, with a large number of picks but his long-term success hopefully will be good. At Florida when he finally got his chance he proved he could do it. Lots of luck Kyle with the Bucs offense.
It’s Trask time in Tampa! Let’s see how the kid handles the next level. If it’s anything like the way he handled SEC defenses, the “experts” are in for some surprises.
If Trask becomes the starting QB for the Bucs, I will start watching their games next season. He’s a quality person and a loyal and hard worker, and I hope he does well.
I’m not big on the NFL, but I’ll watch the Bucs too if Trask is the QB!
My sentiments exactly. I think the world of Trask’s character and can’t wait to watch him play.
Darlington seemed to squash everything when he followed “we have the best QB in the division” with “I’m not saying that means much.”
Good job motivating every other QB in the South, while also delivering what then sounds like a backhanded compliment to Trask.
I think Trask will do well, though, if he does, indeed, get a chance.
He ain’t wrong though.
By history, I think he’ll do well too – particularly with his SEC background prep and a couple of seasons to adjust to the NFL.
A real shame though that he didn’t get to experience the advent of The Mertziah while at Florida!
Trask has even more up an uphill battle thanks to that loser Bowles as his HC.
My only question about Trask is how did Felippe Franks play ahead of him? I think Trask will do well.
Good question but the better question is why would any coach in his right mind start D’Wan Mathis when superstar SB4 was sitting there all along
Mighty weak comeback for obvious reasons.
I don’t think so, Franks was much better than D’wan. Franks was the established starter.
Kirby chose D’wan over SB4 and Beck
Mathis played less than a half before Bennett took over.
One word: Mullen.
Kyle finally getting his chance to start in Tampa and AR projected to be the #1 pick in the draft. Only in America
Bravo to the first, and on the second I’m betting he’ll be an RB or, as StL suggested, a TE.
All he needs to be successful in either of those positions is to harden up and learn to give and take the hits.