Baker Mayfield named starting quarterback for Tampa Bay

It’s been five seasons since former Oklahoma football quarterback Baker Mayfield donned a Sooner uniform.

Over those five seasons, the former Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick has had what can best be described as a rather up-and-down NFL career that has taken him to four different NFL teams.

Now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mayfield can say he is the replacement for former Buccaneer quarterback and future Hall of Famer Tom Brady. Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles named Mayfield the starter to begin the 2023 season at a press conference on Monday.

"“Baker’s our guy,” Bowles said. “Baker is one, and Kyle (Trask) is two.”"

Mayfield is on a one-year deal with the Buccaneers reported to be worth up to $8.5 million.

Over five NFL seasons, Mayfield has thrown for 16,288 yards and 102 touchdowns with 64 interceptions.

Mayfield was the No. 1 overall draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2018. He spent four seasons in Cleveland. His rookie season he set a team record for touchdown passes by a rookie QB with 27.

In his third season, in 2020, Mayfield led the Browns to the NFL playoffs for the first time since 1994. He completed 63 percent of his passes that season for 3,563 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Mayfield was traded to the Carolina Panthers after a mostly injured 2021 season. He played in five games for the Panthers before requesting and being granted his release. He was picked up by the Los Angeles Rams where he finished out the 2022 campaign appearing in seven games.

“Now I just gotta lead like I know how,” the 28-year-old Mayfield said after learning he had been named the Tampa Bay starter. “The real thing is just around the corner, so it’s an exciting time.”

Mayfield and the Buccaneers will open the season Sept. 10 at the Minnesota Vikings.