Bucs wide receiver Cyril Grayson, Jr.’s route to becoming a NFL wide receiver wasn’t a conventional one. Instead, it’s one of hard work, determination and perseverance. Grayson never played football at LSU, electing to run track instead. His world class speed got him an opportunity in the NFL beginning in 2017, but it didn’t pan out in his multiple stops. At least, until he landed in Tampa Bay in 2019.

Bucs head coach Bruce Arians saw something in Grayson other than just speed. Arians saw a player that could be developed into a quality receiver over time. Grayson just needed someone to believe in him and take the time to nurture his talent. And that’s exactly what Arians did.

Grayson says the culture of the Bucs organization and that belief from Arians catapulted him into the position he is in today. Putting the time and effort in learning the playbook, understanding how to read defenses and developing as a receiver culminated into his current opportunity.

But building the relationship with quarterback Tom Brady is what took him to another level. That started last season during a practice session.

Bucs WR Cyril Grayson – Photo by: USA Today

“There was a moment last year [where] we were out here at practice,” Grayson recalled. “And to me it was slippery out there. I slipped down on one and then he [Brady] threw me a ball and it was in the sun. And I was making excuses. I was like, ‘Man, the ground’. He was like, ‘It’s a perfectly laid ground’. Just being hard on me. And then he throws me the ball that’s in the sun and he goes, ‘Hey, I don’t need any excuses. You’re an NFL receiver.’

“Then there was a moment where I kind of put my head down. In a way, defeated. Like man, he’s being too hard on me. But then, right after that, he came back and said, ‘The reason I’m so hard on you is because you have this talent. I just want to pull that out of you. I see that in you, and I just want you to see that in yourself’.

“From that moment, I knew he felt something in me. I knew that all it took was me getting out there everyday and him actually being able to throw me the ball to earn that ultimate trust.”

Going out there each day, running the scout team and catching balls from Brady helped build that trust. During his postgame press conference after the team’s 28-24 victory over the Jets, in which Grayson caught the game-winning 33-yard touchdown, Arians described Brady’s belief in the emerging receiver.

“Yeah, I mean those were the two guys getting singled,” Arians said about Grayson and Tyler Johnson. “Like I said, Tom trusts them, man. They’ve been working their asses off since training camp. A couple weeks ago I asked Tom about Cyril. He said, ‘Man, I trust him. I really trust him. Put him in there’.”

As that trust continues to build, expect Grayson’s role to continue to grow. The 28-year old entered the Panthers game in Week 16 with just two career catches for 53 yards and a touchdown. He caught three passes for 81 yards at Carolina, including a career-long 62-yarder. Grayson now has nine receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown in his last two games. He figures to play an important role in Tampa Bay’s offense going forward.

He’ll get an opportunity to show that budding chemistry with Brady this week when the Bucs take on the Panthers to close out the regular season. Without Antonio Brown, who was released on Thursday, Brady may lean on Grayson even more.