Head coach Todd Bowles said Monday that Trask and John Wolford are still in competition for the No. 2 quarterback job, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Trask has been the presumptive No. 2 quarterback this offseason and training camp after filling that role in 2023, but Bowles is apparently making the University of Florida product earn that slotting again this summer. The two quarterbacks each played a half in Saturday night's preseason-opening win over the Bengals and put up comparable numbers, so the competition could last through the entirety of the preseason slate.

Trask started the Buccaneers' 17-14 preseason win over the Bengals on Saturday night and completed 12 of 20 passes for 144 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed twice for one yard and fumbled once but recovered.

EDGE Analysis

Trask played the entire first half and was only able to lead one scoring drive, an eight-play, 77-yard march where he recorded completions of 24, 19 and 21 yards to Ryan Miller, Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer, respectively. Trask is now in his third preseason with the Buccaneers, but unlike last summer, he's going through the exhibition slate as the clear No. 2 quarterback behind Baker Mayfield. While Mayfield should see some playing time in next Saturday's road matchup against the Jaguars, Trask should also see his fair share of snaps after the latter is finished for the night.

Head coach Todd Bowles announced Thursday that Trask will start in Saturday's preseason opener against the Bengals, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Starting quarterback Baker Mayfield and several other Bucs starters -- including wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and tight end Cade Otton -- will not suit up for Saturday's contest, per Dix. Trask will lead the offense to the start the game, with third-string quarterback John Wolford expected to take over at some point. Saturday's contest gives Trask an opportunity to solidify himself as the backup quarterback to Mayfield and will also give players like 2024 third-round wideout Jalen McMillan the chance for extra reps.

Trask saw action in only two games during the 2023 regular season, failing to complete his only pass attempt and netting minus-1 yard on his only rush attempt. He did not play in either of Tampa Bay's postseason games.

EDGE Analysis

Trask and Baker Mayfield engaged in a training camp/preseason job battle that the latter obviously prevailed in, and Mayfield then turned out to be an unqualified success as the Buccaneers' starting signal-caller. As a result of that and Mayfield's good health, Trask was a non-factor throughout the campaign and has now put up just 10 regular-season pass attempts in his first two seasons. The Florida product did appear to show plenty of progress from his rookie season during camp practices and exhibition action; therefore, if Mayfield, a pending free agent, isn't re-signed, Trask could enter camp as the leading contender for the top job under center.

Trask played two of the Buccaneers' 60 snaps on offense in Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Buccaneers, throwing an incompletion on his lone pass attempt.

EDGE Analysis

Trask has been active for every game this season as the Buccaneers' No. 2 quarterback, but Sunday marked just the second time he's seen the field. He was pressed into action in a key spot in the first quarter, when starter Baker Mayfield injured his ankle on a goal-line carry. Trask stepped in on second-and-goal, but after a false-start penalty and then a three-yard Rachaad White run, Trask was unable to connect with Chris Godwin on a potential touchdown on third down. The Buccaneers proceeded to kick a field goal, and Trask remained on the sideline the rest of the game after Mayfield was cleared to return for the team's next possession. Mayfield was a full practice participant Wednesday and is on track to start Sunday against the Panthers, so Trask will be sticking in a backup role once again this weekend.

Trask completed 19 of 31 passes for 192 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 26-20 preseason win over Baltimore.

EDGE Analysis

Week 1 starter Baker Mayfield produced seven points on two drives without throwing an incompletion, then Trask played the rest of the game with a mix of backups and camp bodies. It was a solid showing, and Trask's overall competent performance this preseason could become a factor if Mayfield struggles and the Bucs consider a QB change during the regular season.

Coach Todd Bowles announced Tuesday that Baker Mayfield, not Trask, will begin 2023 as the Buccaneers' starting quarterback, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Trask put together a solid performance in Saturday's preseason win over the Jets, completing 20 of 28 passes for 218 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions, but Mayfield has nonetheless evidently shown enough throughout training camp to be named the starter. Trask, the 2021 second-round pick, instead stands to start the year as Mayfield's backup, and Tampa Bay could still add another reserve QB, with John Wolford (neck) battling injury. In the event that Mayfield struggles and Trask can continue to log positive showings in practice throughout the season, it's possible he could still push for a chance to line up under center sometime during the 2023 campaign.

Trask completed 20 of 28 passes for 218 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions and rushed four times for seven yards in the Buccaneers' 13-6 preseason win over the Jets on Saturday. He also committed a fumble recovered by Tampa Bay.

EDGE Analysis

Trask drew the start after coming in behind Baker Mayfield in the Buccaneers' preseason opener against the Steelers, and he ultimately played much more than planned Saturday due to the neck injury suffered by John Wolford. The second-year signal-caller's night didn't start off in ideal fashion by any stretch when Tampa Bay was forced to punt on its first two possessions, with Trask losing his grip on the ball due to the sack that ended the latter drive. However, matters picked up from there, as he subsequently connected with rookie Trey Palmer for a nifty 33-yard touchdown that the receiver helped tip to himself. Trask finished the first half with a 16-for-23, 122-yard tally. That wouldn't be the end of his night, however, as Wolford's late third-quarter injury brought Trask back into the contest and allowed him to finish with a very strong line overall. With both he and Mayfield having impressed to varying degrees in each of the first two preseason games, the job battle may come down to this week's set of practices and next Saturday night's home preseason finale versus the Ravens.

Trask is in line to start Saturday's preseason game against the Jets, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Baker Mayfield got the start in the Bucs' first preseason game, and as planned, Trask gets the nod Saturday. Stroud suggests that depending on how many possessions the team has and the resulting success of them, the 2021 second-rounder could play into the second quarter. Trask will be followed by Mayfield as Tampa Bay's QB competition continues ahead of Week 1.

Trask completed six of his 10 pass attempts for 99 yards, no touchdowns and an interception (four offensive drives) in Friday's exhibition loss to Pittsburgh.

EDGE Analysis

Head coach Todd Bowles announced earlier in the week that he planned to start Baker Mayfield over Trask in the Bucs' first preseason game, and that their roles would be flipped for the team's next scheduled contest as they compete for the starting job. The veteran Mayfield clearly got the upper hand based on the box score results, but Trask's ability to push the ball further down the field could wind up being a better fit in an offense featuring a talented receiver duo of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Trask will get an opportunity to even the score when he starts against the Jets on Aug. 18.