How the Relationship Fell Apart Between Buccaneers, Kyle Trask

The relationship between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and QB Kyle Trask may have met its peak and thus its eventual downfall.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected former University of Florida quarterback, Kyle Trask, with the 64th overall pick in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

The initial thought process behind this was to let Trask come into the organization and allow him to sit behind the greatest quarterback of all time in Tom Brady while he develops into the eventual starter.

This thought process by those in the front office of the organization seemed like a foolproof one as that model has worked for Trask throughout his career.

In high school, Trask didn't start a game at quarterback for Manvale High School as he was in the same class as former University of Houston and University of Miami standout D'Eriq King.

READ MORE: Buccaneers' Quarterback Battle Most Likely Ended Against Jets

Even without the notoriety of being a highly touted quarterback out of high school, Trask was still able to land with the University of Florida and then head coach Dan Mullen as a three-star prospect.

Was Trask good enough to be a starter at any level or would he always be chasing something that is unachievable? If even given the opportunity, would he take advantage of it and show what he is capable of?

Through his first few seasons with the Florida Gators, Trask spent time behind starters Felipe Franks and Emory Jones before finally getting his shot as the starter once he took over in 2019 at which point he began to answer those questions.

The pressure was on to perform, and Trask lived up to the expectations that are ever-so high in Gainesville, Florida once he was solidified himself as the guy.

During his last season as a starter in the home of Tom Petty, Trask went on to outperform many expectations as he led the Gators' explosive offense to an 11-2 record while cementing himself amongst the best in college football by throwing the most touchdowns that season (43) and being named a Heisman Trophy finalist (finishing 4th).

From being that guy that seemingly couldn't get what he deserved to becoming the man that he was meant to be, Trask had found himself and in just two seasons catapulted himself into the minds of NFL scouts across the country.

While Trask was working on refining his craft at blossoming his relationship with the game of football on Saturdays in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers found themselves in a love affair themselves as they were able to convince the greatest quarterback of all-time, Tom Brady, to come to the sunny views of the Gulf and suit up in the pewter uniforms.

READ MORE: Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Seeks Information on Mishandling of $12 Million

For the Bucs and Brady success was immediate. The team went on to become one of the best in the NFL in Brady's first season with the team leading them to the Super Bowl where they dismantled the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes for the organization's second-ever Lombardi Trophy.

Love was in the air.

Unfortunately for the Buccaneers that love was bound to end as Brady eventually decided to end his time in the NFL - retiring after 23 full seasons following the 2022 season.

Following the retirement of Brady, the Buccaneers set their sights on a new flashy piece at quarterback as they brought in veteran Baker Mayfield on a one-year deal.

The staff and players involved were all under the same understanding that they would have to duke it out for who would earn the right to become the team's full-time starter.

The first challenge for Trask arose. He now had to beat out a quarterback who's been around the league and not only that but one who carries himself with the type of moxie that NFL teams are looking for.

Trask isn't Mayfield. That is a given since Mayfield has produced at this level and Trask has yet to even really sniff an NFL regular season game.

He was severely lacking coming into the battle for the Buccaneers' attention. However, early on in camp, it seemed that there might be a glimmer of hope for Trask as he was outperforming the witty gunslinger in practice.

Things started to even out however and it was eventually announced that Mayfield would start the first preseason game and Trask the second game. Both players played well enough in their first preseason action before heading to the northeast to face off against the New York Jets.

Now was Kyle's time to prove himself worthy.

It was up and down during his start, but Trask played fairly well before, in a shocking move, the Bucs decided to hold out Baker Mayfield from the game.

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What does this mean? Does this mean that Trask lost the job to Mayfield? What did he do that would cause such an abrupt decision such as this?

So many questions had to be swirling through Trask's mind at this moment.

Once Trask was pulled from the game, third-string QB, John Wolford entered the game before going down with what was perceived to be a serious injury at the time knocking him out of the game.

The Buccaneers once again shied away from inserting Baker into the game, turning to Trask.

Trask could have pouted and made his displeasure known at the time, but instead, he grabbed the bull by the horns and decided to really turn the heat up.

Trask finished the game well once being reinserted into the game and led the Buccaneers to a comfortable win in week two of the preseason. However, things were far from okay.

Following the game, Trask spoke with the media in which he was asked about the situation with the quarterback battle. 

🎥: @NFLSTROUD asks Kyle Trask about Baker Mayfield not playing at all tonight and if it meant the #GoBucs have made their decision. Kyle’s response and body language tell me a lot here… pic.twitter.com/JVJWRnDm16

— Christopher Mathis 🎙 (@thechrismathis) August 20, 2023

Trask seemed visibly uncomfortable with his current situation. He is stuck in a relationship with the Buccaneers where he really has no control over their actions moving forward. It seems that Trask believes he has done everything in his power to help make the organization realize what they have in front of him, but it will ultimately come down to whether or not they see him the same way.

Trask has things he can still work on to become the best version of himself, but it still feels like there is no use. He sat behind Brady, learned. He was open to the team bringing in Baker Mayfield to have a quarterback competition as there never really was one while Brady was here. He did what he needed to off the field, in the locker room, and when it came to learning the installs/playbook. So why? Is it his talent? Is it the intangibles the best QBs in the league possess? Is it even him or is this coming from the other side of things?

The answer isn't so simple. As of now, it appears that the Buccaneers will be going the Baker Mayfield route. Will that stand throughout the season? It is hard to tell. However, one thing is for certain, based on Kyle's reactions and body language following the Bucs' preseason win over the New York Jets, he is having trouble understanding what is going on and believes he is the guy.

Whether or not the Bucs decide to choose Trask or not, the relationship could be spoiled depending on how things pan out.

Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2023 season.

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