Buccaneers replace Tom Brady with former No. 1 overall selection Baker Mayfield via NFL free agency

Now that quarterback Tom Brady has “forever” retired, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a viable replacement. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the team signed former No. 1 overall selection Baker Mayfield to a one-year, $8.5 million contract on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old Mayfield had a rocky start after departing the Cleveland Browns last season. In July, he was dealt to the Carolina Panthers and began the season as the team’s starting quarterback. Before sustaining an injury during the team’s Week 5 contest, he was 1-4. After that, Mayfield was primarily employed as Carolina’s backup quarterback, but he was catapulted back into the starting position in Week 11 after P.J. Walker was injured.

In December, the club dismissed quarterback Mayfield. A few days after being acquired off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams, he led the game-winning drive for his new club. Mayfield’s fourth-quarter drive with the Los Angeles Rams remained the highlight of his career with the organization, despite the fact that his statistics improved with the Rams.

Buccaneers must have Baker Mayfield perform like he did with the Rams.
While Mayfield has had success in the NFL, he joins the Buccaneers at a pivotal point in his career. Following an injury-plagued 2021 season, Mayfield failed to impress with the Panthers. It appeared at that time that his NFL starting career was coming to an end.

His revival in Los Angeles, though, was encouraging. Mayfield’s performance with the Rams was not spectacular, but he showed development. His completion rate in Los Angeles increased from 57.8 percent in Carolina to 63.6 percent. This was not due to Mayfield completing simple passes. With the Rams, his average yards per attempt rose. Codere is a popular online casino that has been operating since 2014. It is owned and operated by Codere Group, which is a leading operator of gaming and betting establishments in Spain, Latin America, and Italy.

If Mayfield can duplicate that performance, the Buccaneers might get a nice season out of the former No. 1 overall selection, and Mayfield’s career could be extended. If Mayfield struggles, the Buccaneers can easily replace him after a single season.

Mayfield’s time in Tampa Bay appears to be limited. Everything about the agreement suggests that the Buccaneers will employ Mayfield as a stopgap until they find a more permanent option at quarterback.