Update: The Bucs defeat the Titans with 29-7 as the final score.
Update: The Bucs head into halftime with a 13-7 lead over the Titans.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — After beating up on each other for the past two weeks in training camp, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will finally get to play an actual game, albeit this one doesn’t count towards their record.
The Bucs will begin their preseason slate Saturday night at home against No. 1 overall pick and former Miami Hurricane Cam Ward and the Tennessee Titans. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said the plan is for most of the starters to sit, but there are still a number of intriguing young players looking to make a name for themselves. With that being said, here are three players I’ll be keeping an eye on Saturday night:
Kyle Trask – The former Florida Gator has served as the Bucs’ backup quarterback for the past four seasons, but that might not be the case moving forward with the signing of veteran QB Teddy Bridgewater. Trask performed well in the preseason in 2024, throwing for three touchdowns against one interception. If he can put together similar performances this time around, I imagine he’ll be able to hang on to that backup QB job, which would likely push Bridgewater to the practice squad.
Jacob Parrish – The third-round pick out of Kansas State has wasted no time in making a good impression on the Bucs coaching staff. Head coach Todd Bowles said it’s “scary” how little they have to correct him. He’s a terrific athlete and has proven he has a nose for the football, reeling in two interceptions during Bucs’ rookie minicamp. He’s gotten a lot of reps with the first-team defense at nickel. He could lock down that starting nickelback job with a strong performance in the preseason.
Chris Braswell – A second-round pick of the Bucs in 2024, Braswell had a relatively quiet rookie season, recording 18 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble across 17 games. Despite the low production, the Alabama product showed promise towards the end of the regular season last year. Per Football Focus, he finished fifth among rookies with 19 pressures. Head coach Todd Bowles noted that Braswell is “coming off the ball a lot faster” than last season. If he continues to show improvement, he could play a significant role in the Bucs’ edge rotation this season.