The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are trying to figure out the future of their quarterback position. With Tom Brady retiring for the second time (maybe!) and Blaine Gabbert hitting free agency, the only quarterback on the team’s roster is 2021 second-round pick Kyle Trask, who has thrown a total of nine passes in his NFL career.
But apparently, the Bucs have found a potential replacement for Brady on the free agent market. According to multiple reports, Tampa Bay and former Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield have agreed to a 1-year contract that will pay the former No. 1 overall pick $8.5 million for a year of work.
Sources: The #Bucs have a 1-year deal for QB Baker Mayfield for $8.5M, giving him the opportunity to battle for the starting spot with Kyle Trask. A marquee name off the market. pic.twitter.com/K1WgfRvV6D
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2023
The #Bucs are finalizing a deal with former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield, per sources.
Mayfield finished his fifth NFL season strong after landing with the #Rams. Now he gets a chance to take over for Tom Brady in Tampa, and is still only 27. pic.twitter.com/yeNIrndN7E
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 15, 2023
Former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield reached agreement today on a one-year deal worth up to $8.5 million with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per sources. Mayfield is now in line to be Tom Brady’s successor. pic.twitter.com/2ZldEPxHY8
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2023
Mayfield’s career has gone off the rails a bit in the last year. After spending his first four seasons with the Browns, Mayfield got traded to the Carolina Panthers due to Cleveland’s decision to go all-in on Deshaun Watson. That did not go especially well for Mayfield, who was released in December and ended the year with the Los Angeles Rams, for whom he started four games before becoming a free agent. Now, the soon-to-be 28-year-old quarterback will get a chance to compete for a starting gig in a division he got to know a little bit last season.