A head coach can typically hit the panic button when his team loses its franchise quarterback to retirement. However, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians is not “fretting” over the sudden retirement of seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady because of who he currently has on the roster.

The Buccaneers selected former Florida Gators quarterback Kyle Trask in the second-round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Trask featured in the preseason, but he did not go on to play in a single snap over the Buccaneers' 2021 campaign. Brady played in all 17 regular season games, and with the snaps that he did not take part in, Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich rolled out veteran passer Blaine Gabbert to anchor the offense.

As he noted to NFL Sirius XM at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, Arians views Trask as a possible option for the Buccaneers as their starting quarterback for next season. Although Trask did not get a taste of regular season play in his rookie campaign, Arians sees plenty of promise in the 2020 Heisman Trophy finalist.

“I've got a year with Kyle,” Arians said. “Got to see Kyle every single day, watch him improve those nuances in the pocket, cause he ain't afraid to stand in there.

“He can really sling it. He got all the throws.”

While Trask did not receive a crucial opportunity to lead the Buccaneers offense for a single drive in the 2021 regular season, he did get to watch and learn from Brady. Whether it was at training camp ahead of the season or in practice on a weekly basis, Trask sure studied Brady and had a front-row seat to watch him guide the offense in multiple unique situations.

“So just watch him grow, watch him develop with Tom off the field,” Arians said. “Get leaner, learn how to handle himself, preparation that Tom Brady puts him. This guy now knows about.

“We drafted this guy for a reason last year in the second round. He is a big, tall pocket guy that's got some mobility… I'm not fretting.”

The Buccaneers are set to have a multitude of options for Brady’s successor at the quarterback position. Ahead of Super Bowl 56, it was reported that Buccaneers team officials will scour the trade market for passers such as Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.

Trask is set to also be an option for Tampa Bay next season. It was recently noted that Trask is “in play” for the team to be its starting quarterback for next season. The team has “really liked” his development and likes where he stands when compared to the multiple passers who will be available in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht also offered his stamp of approval on Trask at the NFL Scouting Combine.

“We drafted Kyle Trask [in the second round] for a reason,” Licht said. “He fits everything we want to do [at the] quarterback [position]. I really, really liked what I saw for a year, so I doubt drafting is an option. For all the other guys, it's going to be a trade. Well, you don't trade by yourself — you've got to have a partner, so that could be out of the question.”

At the least, Trask will get a chance to prove himself in training camp and preseason.