Analysis
3/15/23
2 min read
QB Baker Mayfield Agrees to Deal With Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might have found their replacement for recently retired quarterback Tom Brady. The Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield agreed to a one-year contract on Wednesday, NFL Media reported.
The deal is expected to be worth up to $8.5 million, putting Mayfield in line to compete with 2021 second-round pick Kyle Trask for the Buccaneers' starting job.
Mayfield was supposed to be the Cleveland Browns' franchise QB after he was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. But last July, Mayfield was traded from the Browns to the Carolina Panthers, following the Browns' blockbuster move for Deshaun Watson. The 27-year-old Mayfield's arrival in Tampa Bay will mark his fourth team in nine months.
Mayfield struggled in Carolina, going 1-5 in six starts. Inconsistent play and injuries led the Panthers to move on from Mayfield as the starter, prompting the quarterback to request his release. Late in the season, his request was granted, and Mayfield signed with the Los Angeles Rams to finish the season.
Despite going 1-3 with the Rams, Mayfield showed enough potential and talent that the NFL took notice. Mayfield's only win with the Rams was three days after he was released by the Panthers. He practiced with the Rams just once before leading them to a 17-16 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Buccaneers are in something of a rebuilding phase after losing coach Bruce Arians and Brady to retirement in consecutive seasons. They made the playoffs in 2022 but did so behind just an 8-9 record, putting them atop the struggling NFC South.
Tampa Bay is hoping Mayfield can regain the form that earned him praise early in his career. In 2020, Mayfield led the Browns to an 11-5 record, throwing for 3,563 yards, 26 touchdowns and just eight interceptions.
If the former Heisman Trophy winner can return to that level of play, the Buccaneers should be in a position to compete in the NFC South once again.
