Former Oklahoma Star Baker Mayfield Wins Camp Quarterback Battle in Tampa Bay
Baker Mayfield’s next NFL opportunity got a boost on Tuesday morning.
The former No. 1-overall pick was officially named the starting quarterback of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by head coach Todd Bowles.
Mayfield has been in a quarterback competition with former Florida standout Kyle Trask since signing with the Buccaneers as a free agent in March.
The career for the former Oklahoma hero has taken multiple turns.
Mayfield led the Cleveland Browns back to the playoffs in 2020, the franchise’s first appearance in the postseason since 2002, but then injuries and a reported falling out with head coach Kevin Stefanski led to the Browns’ pursuit of Deshaun Watson.
The offseason of uncertainty finally ended with the Browns dealing Mayfield to Carolina, where he would get a fresh start while then-coach Matt Rhule tried to save his job.
He started just six games for the Panthers before injury and poor saw Carolina explore other options at quarterback.
The Panthers and Mayfield parted ways, allowing him to sign with the Los Angeles Rams where he was expected to join the team as a backup.
Circumstances allowed for Mayfield to immediately see the field, however, as the Rams downed the Las Vegas Raiders 17-16 on Dec. 8 — the same week Mayfield signed with Los Angeles.
Mayfield completed 22-of-35 passes for 230 yards and one score against Las Vegas, including engineering a pair of late scoring drives to complete the comeback against Josh McDaniels’ feeble Raiders.
In total, Mayfield saw action in five contests for the Rams before entering free agency.
Now, the former Heisman Trophy winner will attempt to fill the void left by future Hall of Famer Tom Brady in Tampa Bay.
Mayfield should have a nice array of weapons in the receiving game, as the Buccaneers rely on Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, to attempt to revive his career as a starting quarterback in the NFL.
The Buccaneers open the 2023 season on Sept. 10 in a road battle against the Minnesota Vikings.
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