Former Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield 'Excited' For Opportunity to 'Win Right Away'
After a rocky start to his career, former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield is now looking for stability — and winning.
Following the start of free agency frenzy in the NFL, Mayfield was introduced by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a press conference on Monday afternoon.
The gunslinger’s deal with Tampa Bay is a one-year sheet starting at $4 million with the opportunity to earn $8.5 million.
“It was important to me to be in a place that’s stable, knows how to win and how to do it properly," Mayfield said. "I’ve gotten to see different things from my journey that’s not exactly how I drew it up, but it’s helped along the way. Especially to make a decision like this — I want to go somewhere where we can win right away, and this is that place.”
Mayfield, the former three-time All-Big 12 performer at Oklahoma and the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner, has had an unusual start to his pro career after being the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. After signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mayfield will play for his fourth different team next fall.
As someone who thrives with the odds stacked high against him, though, a chance was the only thing he needed.
After leading the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs, the organization decided to move on following an injury-filled 2021 season. Mayfield landed on the Carolina Panthers and never seemed to settle in before the franchise hit the reset button and let the quarterback walk. His release from the Panthers allowed Mayfield to sign with the Los Angeles Rams for the remainder of the 2022 season, where he generated an almost impossible last-second win on prime time TV and a few other magical moments.
“It’s night and day different from this time right now to last year," Mayfield said. "I was sitting at home doing rehab for my shoulder last year, not really knowing what was next. That’s why I’m really excited about being here, knowing where I’m gonna be at, what I get to dive into playbook-wise, teammates, and get to know everybody. I don’t know if words can really describe it correctly but I’m excited. I’m excited for this new journey my wife and I, and our new puppy, are gonna be taking on. We’re ready for it."
Mayfield threw for 850 yards and four touchdowns, completing 63.6 percent of his passes with just two interceptions over the final four games of the 2022 season. His lone win quarterbacking the Rams came less than 48 hours after joining the team, where he led an inspiring comeback effort with head coach Sean McVay’s guiding hand.
Now, the Sooner legend has the tall task of replacing the greatest NFL quarterback of all time — Tom Brady. Before retiring after the 2022 season, Brady won the 2020-21 Super Bowl with the Buccaneers, his seventh. Key weapons Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, who played big roles in the Super Bowl run, will now be at Mayfield’s disposal.
“I’m not Tom. I’m not going to try and be Tom," Mayfield said during a Monday appearance on NFL Now. "He’s the greatest quarterback to ever play the game and he deserves that recognition. I’m going to be myself and Tom was himself. I think all the greats try and do it their own way.
“So I respect everything he did and obviously people around here worked with him, so I’m going to try and pick their brain about how he did it, how he operated in certain things that were the difference-makers in who he is. I’m excited about it. Those are big shoes to fill, but I’m just going to try and wear my own.”
The cast of pass catchers in Tampa Bay appears to be the most talented receiver room Mayfield will have had over the course of his NFL career. As he searches for both stability and success, a solid season on a prove-it deal would be a game changer for the rest of Mayfield’s career.
“They’ve historically had success and, obviously, in recent years as well," Mayfield said. "I want to come in and compete and be able to showcase my talents for the next chapter of my career. I think everything happens for a reason, so I’m excited to see where this journey goes.”
