TAMPA, Fla. – There’s a noticeable change in Bucs QB Kyle Trask’s mindset as he battles Baker Mayfield for the starting QB job. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles can see it. The reason is simple.
He’s (Trask) getting the reps,” Bowles said. “When you get more reps you get more comfortable. Obviously, and rightfully so, with Tom (Brady) there last year and Blaine (Gabbert) there, he didn’t get the reps he should get. As he gets those reps he gets more confidence.”
The second-round pick out of Florida in 2021 has only thrown 9 NFL passes completing three for 23 yards so it’s understandable he’d figure to go into this competition with former number 1 pick Baker Mayfield as the underdog. Both are learning a new offense and Trask feels like it’s a healthy competition.
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“Really good,” Trask said. “I think the whole quarterback room they’ve built is really good. “We’ve been competing our whole lives in this sport, so obviously there’s no bad blood or anything like that. We’re just pushing each other and making sure we are always getting better every day.”
Trask sat behind Tom Brady for 2 years as well as backup Blaine Gabbert and learned a lot especially how to prepare. Trask says Brady was always helpful.
“Really encouraging,” Trask said. “He (Brady) always had great answers for any questions I asked him. They (Brady and Gabbert) all were really good to me and I tried to soak up as much as I could while he was there because I knew it wasn’t going to last forever.”
Bucs safety Antoine Winfield Jr. has noticed a big change in facing Trask in practice.
“I would say he’s (Trask) smarter,” Winfield Jr. said. “I remember facing him early on, there’s still some things he needs to work on, but I feel like he’s getting the game more.”
Bowles and offensive coordinator Dave Canales don’t plan on making a decision before or even in training camp. Bowles says game reps will be crucial and still says it’s an open competition.
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