NFL veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield signed a new contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mayfield, a former first-round pick, spent the 2022 season with the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers but has also played for the Cleveland Browns.
Sources: The #Bucs have a 1-year deal for QB Baker Mayfield for $8.5M, giving him the opportunity to battle for the starting spot with Kyle Trask. A marquee name off the market. pic.twitter.com/K1WgfRvV6D
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2023
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Agree to Contract
2022 was a wild year for Baker Mayfield. The quarterback entered the offseason with the Cleveland Browns but quickly requested a trade after the team acquired Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans. Mayfield eventually landed with the Carolina Panthers and played in seven games for the franchise, making six starts. While on the field, the quarterback completed 57.8% of his passes for 1,313 yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions.
While he entered the season as the primary starter, Mayfield eventually lost the job and requested a release. The Panthers granted his request, and the former first-overall pick spent the back half of the 2022 season with the Los Angeles Rams. Starting in place of an injured Matthew Stafford, Mayfield finished his Rams tenure by completing 63.6% of his passes for 950 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions in five games (four starts). In total, Mayfield went 2-8 as a starter between the two teams.
Baker Mayfield originally entered the NFL as the first-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Selected by the Cleveland Browns, the Oklahoma product started his rookie season on the bench behind Tyrod Taylor. However, Taylor suffered an injury early in the season, opening the door for Mayfield to steal the starting job. Mayfield started in 13 games as a rookie, completing 63.8% of his passes for 3,725 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions while winning Rookie of the Year honors.
After a disappointing 2019, Mayfield put together another strong season in 2020. While he couldn’t match his rookie success year success, he did lead Cleveland to a playoff win. Additionally, Mayfield completed 62.8% of his passes for 3,563 yards and 26 touchdowns to eight interceptions. Mayfield’s 2021 ended before it ever truly began, as the quarterback battled through a shoulder injury that dramatically limited his ability to play the position.
Main Photo: Joe Nicholson – USA Today Sports
