When Baker Mayfield arrived as the new Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback, it wasn’t because of the hype he brought, it was because he was very cheap. However, he not only delivered, but also became a star in the process. While he is still under contract, the general manager of the team just revealed what the plans are for the quarterback in the future.
Mayfield will become 30 as the season begins. However, he signed a 3-year deal worth $100 million last season. Even if that makes this a conversation for another time, Licht spoke to the press and he revealed the team wants to get an extension done to make Mayfield the Bucs’ quarterback “for a long time.”
The former Brown was on the verge of becoming a perennial backup quarterback when the Bucs called following Tom Brady’s retirement. What happened after is one of the best redemptions in recent NFL history.
Mayfield has been stellar
Two straight seasons with 4,000+ yards, 69 touchdowns, 67.9 completion percentage, a 100.7 passer rate and two Pro Bowl selections. Needless to say, he became an NFL franchise quarterback.
Mayfield had quite big help. Having receivers like Chris Godwin and especially Mike Evans will always boost any quarterback in the league. That doesn’t mean Baker didn’t exceed all expectations.
He’s had to overcome some roadblocks too
Even if Mayfield landed on a team that was stacked, you can’t deny his odds were stacked against him. But the biggest roadblocks were still ahead of him. Firstly, he was under big-time duress. His career was on the line when he joined the Buccaneers.
Then, he’s had to deal with multiple offensive coordinators. He had Dave Canales at first, then he left. Now, Liam Coen left to be the Jacksonville Jaguars head coach. This means that for Mayfield, it’s three years, three different playbooks, yet he has adapted and made the most of it. Now it’s time for the next one.