With the 2025 NFL Scouting Mix this previous week and free company beginning subsequent week, all eyes might be on what the Bucs do at quite a few positions.
Will broad receiver Chris Godwin re-sign?
How will common supervisor Jason Licht look to revamp a protection that desperately wants it?
These questions might be answered quickly, however it is usually value asking what course the group will look to take at quarterback. Baker Mayfield stays the franchise quarterback, however prime backup Kyle Trask is a free agent.
Head coach Todd Bowles weighed in on the scenario final week and what may occur ought to Trask depart.
Bucs Head Coach Todd Bowles Desires To See What QB Michael Pratt Can Do
Bucs QB Michael Pratt – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
The Bucs favored Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt sufficient to formally meet with them in Indianapolis, Indiana on the 2024 NFL Mix. Had the Packers not swooped in and brought him a decide earlier than within the seventh spherical, Pratt would have seemingly been drafted by Tampa Bay as an alternative. As destiny would have it, he joined the group after Inexperienced Bay launched him after buying and selling for Malik Willis. At that time although, it was late August and he was behind the educational curve in former offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s offense.
Whereas the group doesn’t want to fret about who its beginning quarterback might be in 2025, having a high quality backup who can fill in when wanted is critical. All it takes is an harm on the recreation’s most essential place to derail a season, and that’s why what occurs with Kyle Trask this offseason can have an fascinating ripple impact on the place room. Whereas Todd Bowles spoke extremely of Pratt on the NFL Mix this yr, shedding Trask would drive the group to discover a third quarterback.
“Pratt, we think he’s very talented,” Bowles mentioned. “When we got him, he didn’t really have a chance to get the system down because he was playing scout team all the time. You can’t really get those plays in. Having this spring will be important for him and if we lost [Kyle] Trask we’d probably look to add one, whether it’s a younger one or an older one remains to be seen. [Someone] who can probably fit our system and learn it the best, but that’s something we’ve talked about for sure. We really want to get a chance to see what Pratt can do this spring because it’s not fair to evaluate him just playing the scout team.”
Pratt had a profitable school profession for the Inexperienced Wave, having improved every season. Because the starter for all 4 years, he completed with a 60.6% completion proportion, 9,602 passing yards, 90 passing touchdowns, and 26 interceptions. In 2023, Pratt showcased his progress and effectivity by finishing 65.4% of his passes for two,406 passing yards and 22 passing touchdowns with simply 5 interceptions.
There’s a state of affairs the place he may develop into the No.2 quarterback, particularly with Bowles and the remainder of the group excessive on him and his means to proceed creating behind Mayfield.
Bucs QB Kyle Trask – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Nonetheless, the Bucs’ 2021 second-round decide may return for an additional yr.
Trask has not had it straightforward coming into the league. After holding the clipboard behind Tom Brady for his ultimate two seasons, one anticipated him to emerge from it able to take the beginning job from the sport’s best quarterback – till Baker Mayfield stepped in. Having spent 4 seasons as a backup, he may search for a recent begin and compete to see the sphere.
In spite of everything, Trask has simply 11 NFL passes to his title.
Bowles nonetheless likes him as a participant.
“I like Trask,” Bowles added. “I think he’s a good football player. He just came behind Brady and now Baker. It’s just kind of tough to get on the field.”
What Would Occur If Kyle Trask Leaves?
In an age the place a number of quarterbacks have seen their careers take off with new groups of their late 20s to early 30s (see Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and Geno Smith), that would sway Kyle Trask sufficient to search for greener grass in free company. If Trask departs, what would occur?
Don’t anticipate the Bucs to draft a quarterback on Day 1 or Day 2 of this coming draft, however including one other Day 3 developmental signal-caller wouldn’t be a foul plan. Tampa Bay met with Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel and Missouri’s Brady Prepare dinner informally this yr.
One has to marvel how a lot these conferences had been to fulfill with them or get intel on broad receivers Tez Johnson and Luther Burden III, the highest broad receivers they threw the ball to. One can not rule out Gabriel, Prepare dinner, or one other younger quarterback coming in, however that does include pause because it rapidly strikes Michael Pratt up the depth chart though he’s by no means performed in an NFL recreation.
Cowboys QB Trey Lance – Photograph by: USA Right now
There are veteran names available on the market to observe. Probably the most enjoyable free-agent signing could be Gardner Minshew – may you think about the dynamic between him and Mayfield? Discuss a quarterback room with some swagger and moxie.
Minshew, who was simply launched by the Raiders after signing a two-year, $25 million final offseason, could be considerably dearer than Trask.
Extra realistically, names value watching are Drew Lock, Trey Lance, and Joe Flacco. They’d be extra in line across the $4 million a yr vary that Trask is projected to make. The Bucs may look youthful with Lock (28) and Lance (24), or if they need Pratt to proceed studying, signing the 40-year-old Flacco for a yr just isn’t the worst concept to offer him a mentor and somebody who can nonetheless step in and begin just a few video games.
PewterReport.com will maintain tabs on this and all the Bucs’ offseason strikes as issues ramp up within the coming days.
