Once viewed as a potential heir apparent to Tom Brady, Kyle Trask’s time in Tampa has come and gone without a start or a touchdown pass.
Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles confirmed Tuesday that the team is releasing the reserve quarterback. Trask, Tampa Bay’s 2021 second-round pick, injured his shoulder in the team’s preseason finale on Saturday.
Trask concludes his time with the Bucs having backed up Brady and Baker Mayfield while recording just seven regular-season appearances with a career stat line of 4-of-11 passing for 28 yards, no TDs and no interceptions.
Trask, 27, being replaced on the depth chart by veteran addition Teddy Bridgewater, 32, seemed to be a no-brainer, but Trask's release didn’t seem as clear. Trask signed a one-year deal to remain with the franchise in March and was due a $2.62 million base salary.
While Bridgewater played in just one preseason game, an indicator of where he stood in the pecking order, Trask played in all three.
"Obviously, (Bridgewater) brings experience, but he brings a wealth of knowledge," Bowles said, explaining his decision to cut Trask. "He can command the offense right now. Him being older has a lot to do with it, but him being accurate and understanding what we're trying to do has a lot to do with as well.
"We had Kyle for four years. It was a good four-year run. We just feel like we've got a better chance with Teddy."
Mayfield and Bridgewater stand as the only QBs currently on the Bucs roster, meaning an eventual return by Trask on the practice squad or the addition of another signal-caller are likely options.