According to the latest NFL rumors, journeyman quarterback Baker Mayfield has won the starting job for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In other news, Michael Thomas is getting back into shape, and longtime Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers almost came back for one last game in 2022.
NFL Rumors: Baker Mayfield, Michael Thomas, Philip Rivers
Baker Mayfield to Start Week 1
Baker Mayfield and former second-round pick Kyle Trask are battling it out for the right to replace Tom Brady, but a recent report suggests the fight is already over. According to Ira Kaufman of JoeBucsFan.com, the Buccaneers will hand the keys over to Baker Mayfield for their Week 1 battle against the Minnesota Vikings.
“About this Trask and Mayfield competition, I was told pointedly and without much doubt, Mayfield’s going to be the starter in Minneapolis. That’s what I was told. With all due respect to Trask, who has had a good training camp and Mayfield’s struggled a bit, Mayfield’s getting the ball in Minneapolis.”
The past few years have been a rocky road for Mayfield. After leading the Cleveland Browns to their first playoff win since the stone age back in 2020, the former first-overall pick struggled through a shoulder injury in 2021 and landed with the Carolina Panthers to start the 2022 season. Following a disappointing half season, Mayfield showed some signs of life down the stretch with the Los Angeles Rams. Hopefully, Mayfield can build on those positive moments and salvage his career.
Mickey Loomis Isn’t Concerned About Michael Thomas
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas is one of the biggest unknowns entering the 2023 NFL season. When healthy, the former second-round pick is one of the most reliable players in the game, but he can’t seem to stay on the field. Thomas has missed 40 of the past 50 games, but General Manager Mickey Loomis isn’t overly concerned about his star playmaker
“I don’t look at it any different than you look at any player,” Loomis said on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “Look, injuries happen This isn’t like the same thing that’s happened to Mike three years in a row. He’s had some different things happen. What I don’t question is his desire, his work ethic, the things that he’s done 10 miles overboard in getting himself ready. And no one wants it more than him.”
The Saints already have a young superstar wide receiver in Chris Olave, and a healthy Michael Thomas could give New Orleans one of the better pass-catching duos in the league. For what it’s worth, Thomas showed some signs of life last year, hauling in 16 receptions for 171 yards and three touchdowns during his three healthy games last season.
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Philip Rivers Could Have Made Triumphant Return
The 2022 San Francisco 49ers overcame multiple injuries at the quarterback position to make it all the way to the NFC Championship Game. However, when Brock Purdy injured his elbow early in that great battle, San Francisco’s season was effectively over. That being said, had they found a way to win, there is a decent chance that former Los Angeles Chargers and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers could have faced off against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
Speaking to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, head coach Kyle Shanahan said that Rivers was “prepared to” start the Super Bowl.
“Now that’s the stuff we talked about throughout the whole year. We would’ve had to have seen how that was for the Super Bowl, but that was the plan most of the year.
Rivers, of course, hasn’t played since the 2021 season when he guided the Indianapolis Colts to a Wild Card appearance during his lone season with the organization. While he probably would not have been able to take down Kansas City, it would have been amazing to see him try to take down his longtime division rival on the biggest stage.
Main Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck – USA Today Sports
