Kyle Trask (No. 2) at AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa, Florida on Aug. 9, 2023. Credit: Photo by Mike Carlson/Buccaneers

The NFL preseason is starting up, and in Tampa there’s quite a bit of intrigue about who’s going to be under center.

Some reports have said Baker Mayfield is the Buccaneers’ sure-fire starting quarterback, and others still say it’s up in the air.

Others are surprised that there’s even a discussion, since, to them, it seemed like the decision was all but made during the second half of the offseason following Mayfield’s signing.

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I’m not going to lie, I was part of it. I thought the former No. 1 pick had this starting QB gig all locked up.

And that could still end up being the case; Baker signed with the Bucs because of his desire to get another chance to prove he can be a starting QB in this league.

But every Florida Gator fan’s favorite NFL QB and former 2nd rounder Kyle Trask has looked alright (dare I say, sort of impressive) to start training camp. And Baker has looked, well, meh at best.

Yes, Trask is already somewhat familiar with the system and Mayfield’s still learning it, but regardless of the reasoning or excuses, there seems to be some substantial internal discussion.

The Bucs released their unofficial depth chart and labeled the two as “co-starters,” even going as far to put an “OR” between their names.

A bit unconventional, a bit odd, but you know what I think this all adds up to? Kyle Trask building a case to be the Week 1 starter for these Bucs.

I’m not saying it’s going to happen. We’ve got a whole preseason to go before any final decision has to be made. Plus, there’s still a lot of chatter saying the gap between the Bucs’ belief in Baker vs. Trask as a potential starter is quite large, but looking at all of the facts so far, Trask could very well sneak his way into being QB1.

Remember his time at UF? He spent the majority of his career there hurt or backing up Felipe Franks (who just got waived by the Atlanta Falcons). Hell, Trask had to sit the last three years of his high school career behind eventual Miami Hurricane QB D’Eriq King.

But when Trask finally got his shot with those Gators, he ran with it, almost all the way to a Heisman trophy. He had some help at the tight end position from eventual No. 4 overall pick Kyle Pitts, but those Bucs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin ain’t too bad themselves.

Remember what new Bucs Offensive Coordinator Dave Canales called Trask? The “point guard” of this offense?

All I’m trying to say is, Kyle Trask has won my heart back. He’s the perpetual underdog, someone who’s always being counted out, and I’m thinking he can get a shot to prove us all wrong.

Here’s to hoping it happens.

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