Bucs head coach Bruce Arians had some sobering news to share at the Indianapolis Scouting Combine in terms of talking about the quarterback position. When trying to see who is behind door No. 2 since Tom Brady’s retirement, no one seems to be answering the Bucs’ knock.

“Trades are just out of the question,” Arians said. “You have to have a partner and these guys just aren’t willing to say, ‘Hey, do you want my guy?’ Who’s behind door No. 2 for them?”

“There is no Philip Rivers or Tom Brady or all those guys that hit free agency that one unbelievable year (in 2020). If door No. 2 doesn’t open we’ll just do what we do best with that guy – whoever that guy is. We’ll build it around him.”

Arians said Kyle Trask, the only quarterback currently under contract, is firmly in the mix.

“We’ll have four of them (quarterbacks in camp) and it will be an open competition,” Arians said. “Kyle’s going to get a great, great shot. He’s going to get a good shot. Like I’ve said, I’m really, really impressed with the things he needed to improve on. His running of the scout team, movement in the pocket and all the little things on and off the field.”

Predicting Bucs QB Room For 2022

Bucs QB Kyle Trask – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Last year, the Bucs drafted Trask in the second round at No. 64 overall. But the rookie was inactive for every game as the team’s fourth-string QB. While the Bucs are pleased with how he developed behind the scenes, Arians did indicate that the team would attempt to re-sign veteran backup Blaine Gabbert to compete for the starting job, too.

That’s a move Pewter Report predicted weeks ago in SR’s Fab 5. A 2022 competition between Gabbert, Trask and two other yet-to-be-identified quarterbacks who aren’t even on the roster yet. Veteran Ryan Griffin, who was on the practice squad last year, could be an option for depth.

“He can throw it, it’s a matter of does he turn it over?” Arians said about Trask. “It’s the same thing with Blaine. Does he turn it over? He’ll get a great opportunity with all of those guys – whoever is there.”

Arians didn’t completely rule out the idea of the Bucs re-signing Jameis Winston, the team’s first-round pick in 2015, but it didn’t sound like he was eager to do so.

“No, not totally,” Arians said. “But I don’t think it’s the best thing for him.”

Winston spent the 2019 season with Arians before leaving for New Orleans in free agency when the Bucs opted to pursue Brady. He passed for over 5,000 yards in 2019 in Tampa Bay, but also because the first NFL quarterback to throw for at least 30 touchdowns (33) and 30 interceptions in the same season. Winston, who is a free agent after two years with the Saints, also sent a new NFL record for the most pick-sixes in a season with seven in 2019.