Tom Brady’s former backup is signing with a new NFL team

Tom Brady’s influence is heading to the state of North Carolina.

Veteran quarterback Kyle Trask is expected to sign with the Carolina Panthers as a free agent, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reported on Saturday. Kaye adds that the Panthers will need to make a corresponding move in order to complete the signing of Trask.

The 28-year-old Trask was a second-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021 (No. 64 overall). He is best known for serving as the backup to the legendary QB Brady in Tampa Bay for the first two seasons of his NFL career from 2021-22.

Up to this point of his time in the league though, Trask has yet to graduate from backup status and has only made seven total appearances with zero starts over the years (all for Tampa Bay). A former NCAA passing touchdowns leader with the Florida Gators, Trask spent last season on the practice squad of the Atlanta Falcons.

The news of Carolina’s impending signing of Trask comes with uncertainty over the health of Haynes King, their current QB3. King performed well during Thursday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Game against the Arizona Cardinals (throwing for two touchdowns and also rushing for a third TD to win the game as time expired) but is now nursing a hamstring injury that has him labeled week-to-week.

Behind starter Bryce Young, the Panthers also have former first-round pick Kenny Pickett in their QB room. Now it looks like Trask, who once drew some very high praise from Brady, will be joining the mix in Carolina too.