Bucs turn to Kyle Trask at QB after Mayfield hurt in practice

Could the former Gator be auditioning for a bigger role in the future?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp | Julio Aguilar/GettyImages

Kyle Trask is back in the starter's role...for at least a couple of days. 

​The former Gator will be QB1 for the Tampa Bay Bucs for an undetermined period after Baker Mayfield suffered a hand injury during Thursday's practice. There's a good chance that Trask will start the Bucs' preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans on August 9.

​Mayfield's injury is not considered serious, but any opportunities Trask has to work with the ones is something he is going to take very seriously. In his fifth season with the Bucs, Trask has been the primary backup under both Tom Brady and Mayfield.

His rookie contract expired after the 2024 season, but the Bucs showed how much they valued him on the roster by signing him to a one-year deal at $2.787 million. Today was one of those days when his experience shined as coach Todd Bowles said he worked seamlessly with the ones.

"Probably the best he's looked since we've been in camp," Bowles told the local media after practice. One of his better days. He made quicker decisions, got the ball out of his hands...he did some good things."

​These next few weeks could be the most important in Trask's NFL career. Mayfield has proven to be quite durable and Michael Pratt, who the Bucs drafted in 2024, is likely to slide into the backup role next season, which would allow Trask to hit the open market as a free agent.

There are a lot of bad quarterback situations in the NFL and Trask is a respected backup that could probably search for an opportunity to come into camp and compete for a starting role - something he's never had the chance to do in the league.

​We all know what Trask is capable of. He had one of the most prolific seasons in Gator history when he threw for 4,283 yards and 43 touchdowns to lead the FBS in 2020. All he needs is a chance to show that ability to a team that's willing to see him as more than a clipboard guy.