The Bucs drafted Kyle Trask in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft expecting him to be the quarterback of the future. It’s a good thing the future appears to be two years away with Tom Brady under contract through 2022. Trask had a shaky and uneventful first day of training camp on Sunday as the Bucs kicked off the 2021 season.

Splitting reps with Ryan Griffin on field two during practice, Trask looked like the team’s fourth-string quarterback, which is what he is right now. Griffin, who is entering his seventh year in Tampa Bay and his third season in Bruce Arians’ offense, is the third-string QB and looked like an experienced veteran on Sunday. Griffin connected on most of his passes in 11-on-11 drills against the Bucs backups, throwing touchdown passes to wide receivers Jaydon Mickens, Josh Pearson and Cyril Grayson and tight end Jerell Adams.

Trask didn’t get the benefit of working with the best offensive linemen, trying to get off passes behind third- and fourth-stringers. He was often under pressure and did a better job of connecting on short, quick passes than downfield. Yet Trask misfired on a quick smoke route down the line of scrimmage to Pearson.

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

Trask’s downfield shots were off, either underthrown or overthrown. He missed Travis Jonsen twice, first on a deep post pattern down the middle when he got a step on the defense. Then two plays later Trask couldn’t connect with Jonsen, who was defended by cornerback Dee Delaney. Trask also put too much air under an end zone pass intended for receiver T.J. Simmons, Jr. The ball hung up in the air too long and allowed rookie cornerback Cameron Kinley to swat it away.

The Florida product also had a slow start to rookie mini-camp before settling in and finishing stronger. Considering this was his first day of training camp, an uneven day of practice could be expected due to nerves. Expect Trask to progress as camp goes. And there’s no rush. Blaine Gabbert is firmly entrenched as Brady’s backup this year.

It’s expected that Griffin might be the practice squad quarterback this year while Trask is the No. 3 – given his draft status. But on Sunday during the first day of Bucs 2021 training camp, Griffin was clearly the best quarterback on field two. Trask needs to work on developing his arm strength and anticipation, and that will come in time working with quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich.