TAMPA, FL -Baker Mayfield found out on Tuesday he has won the quarterback job for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The former Oklahoma Sooner will be taking the spot of future Hall of Famer Tom Brady, who announced his retirement this offseason.
After spending the preseason evaluating the experience Mayfield against the talented bun inexperienced Kyle Trask, Bucs Head Coach Todd Bowles made the announcement in Tuesday’s press conference after practice.
“Baker’s our guy. I like where we’re at Baker is one & Kyle is two.” Mayfield has thrown for 16,288 yards, 102 touchdowns and 64 interceptions in his career.
Tampa is Mayfiel’ds third team in the NFL. He started his career with the Cleveland Browns and then spent time between the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Rams a season ago. Baker hopes to have found his home in Tampa.
His biggest issue has been consistency which can also be attributed to a number of coaches and offenses he’s had in his career, plus playing with a lacking offensive line while injured in Cleveland led to him taking chances on the field.
Mayfield is on a prove-it deal signing a one-year deal worth up to $8.5 million. He has mentioned before he hopes this will be his home for years to come.
In his rookie year with Cleveland, he set the rookie touchdown passes record with 27. In his third year, he took the Browns to the postseason and helped them win a playoff game for the first time since 1994.
Baker will need to play with consistency for the Bucs to succeed in the 2023-24 season. They re projected to be on the lower tier of teams until things get settled at the QB position.
Many of the Buccaneer vets have returned post-Brady, but they eyes will be on Baker to get any momentum started.
He’ll get his first chance on week 1 of the NF season against the Vikings.
