Will Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles Give QB Kyle Trask Live Reps in Week 18?
It wasn't that long ago the debate around whether or not quarterback Kyle Trask could lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers into their next stretch of successful football was taking place on every conversational platform available.
But then Tom Brady came back, and Trask's future was put on hold.
With nothing to gain or lose this weekend, though, could we see the second-year quarterback take his next step and get some regular-season snaps?
"He has a good chance of dressing," coach Todd Bowles said when asked about Trask's status for the weekend.
But of course, he wasn't going to get off the topic that easily.
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"It's dependent on where they are with their progression," Bowles continued when asked about the topic of playing young quarterbacks. "You start them when they're ready - you play them...(Trask) hasn't played yet because he's behind Tom and Blaine (Gabbert), obviously - it's different for every franchise."
While the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, quarterback Brock Purdy, is getting starts for the San Francisco 49ers, Trask is in his second year and has yet to take even an end-of-game kneel down.
In his comments, Bowles broke down young quarterback plays scenarios into three groups.
Those who play for experience, those who get reps because they're ready, and those who get on the field out of necessity because of injuries.
As injured as the Bucs have been over the years, they haven't experienced those pains at the quarterback position, so Trask hasn't been thrust into service there.
But this game opens the door wide for one of those 'gain experience' situations Bowles referred to.
And it's one he should take advantage of while he has it.
The conversation of what the Buccaneers should do as it pertains to the snaps in the regular season finale against the Atlanta Falcons this week is a diverse one.
Some want to see the team go for broke and complete the season sweep of their NFC South rival while keeping quarterback Tom Brady's undefeated record against the Falcons intact.
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Others, would rather preserve health at all costs and put as many backups in as possible.
It seems the majority are on board with the starters beginning the game, and a gradual flow of second-stringers coming in as the contest progresses.
One of those is Trask, and whether Bowles and his staff feel he's ready to lead the team or not, it shouldn't keep him off the field.
Not when Tampa Bay has nothing to gain but experience and reps.
Exactly what Trask needs the most.
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