Over the last few years, Baker Mayfield has struggled to put it all together despite possessing ample talent. He was the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, and at the time, it looked like they not only landed a franchise QB, but possibly a Hall of Fame-caliber one.
Despite spurts of brilliance, Mayfield’s tenure in Cleveland was checkered and lasted just four seasons. He started last season with the Carolina Panthers before being released and catching on with the Los Angeles Rams late in the year as a replacement for the injured Matthew Stafford.
This season, Mayfield has displayed some up-and-down play as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They won three of their first four games and then lost six of their next seven, but they have now won two contests in a row to keep their playoff hopes alive. He has thrown 20 touchdown passes while keeping his interceptions down to a manageable level.
Mayfield joined the Buccaneers on a one-year contract, which of course means he will be a free agent this spring. According to NBC Sports’ Mike Florio, Mayfield wants to stick around.
NFL News & Rumors: Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Updates
“Baker Mayfield cherishes the underdog mentality,” Florio said. “‘Nobody believes in us.’ He said it is something to cherish and harness as the stretch run commences. And this is his first year in Tampa, he is on a one-year contract. He loves it there. He told me he wants to stay.”
While the former University of Oklahoma star doesn’t rank very high in any one category, he appears to be capable of being a starting QB in the NFL, especially if he’s surrounded by enough talent and the right head coach.
In Tampa Bay, he has had the benefit of two stud wide receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, two of the remnants from the franchise’s 2021 Super Bowl-winning squad. At age 28, he should have plenty of good years left in him, especially if he has the type of reliable support he needs.
The Buccaneers were left high and dry when the legendary Tom Brady retired for good after last season, but that development was inevitable. Perhaps he has found a relatively stable home, and perhaps the franchise will add pieces around him in order to become a very good team again.
