QB Baker Mayfield, TB (1 Viewer)

[-OZ-]

Its interesting that it seems like Mayfield's market is bigger going into 2023 than 2022, considering how awful he was in Carolina. I know its FA vs trade, but its still a bit surprising.

You'd like to see TB aim higher. Baker feels more like high-end backup (ala Trubisky) than guy you really want as a starter. That said Trask wasn't able to beat out Gabbert, so Mayfield is probably a long shot for him if he ends up in TB.

Who would you want TB to target? I mentioned Lamar elsewhere but they seem to have cap issues making that work. Otherwise maybe trask in a rebuild? Their options seem limited unless they traded for Stafford or something like that - which seems short sighted.

I personally think Jacoby Brissett is being crazy underrated. I like him more than Daniel Jones or Derek Carr for the money. He's at least not a liability, which I can't really say about Mayfield's play recently. I was a Mayfield defender going into last season, but man, he was as bad as anyone, until he got to the Rams, where he still wasn't good, but at least looked competent.

Ideally Tampa trades up for a rookie or ends up with maybe Tanner McKee on day 2. If they are playing the waiting game and shooting for 2024 (which their offseason moves haven't really suggested) for Caleb Williams or Drake Maye, then I'd think just roll with Trask.

You are right that their cap issues seem prohibitive vis a vis Lamer, and Stafford feels like too big of a risk health wise to me.

Not bad as a place filler. But I sure wouldn’t think biscuit would get them to the playoffs.

 

[Grahamburn]

Arians likes Mayfield. I think at one point he was on record saying he'd only go to the Browns if he were to come out of retirement to coach due to Baker being there. He obviously still has some say in the organization. He was also the HC when they drafted Trask though.

I don't really get it from an organizational perspective to not just give Trask and his $1.4M cap hit the chance unless they think they know something the rest of the NFL doesn't about Baker.

 

[Grahamburn]

If you have some time to kill and need a little entertainment in retrospect read this thread from page 1. Joyful.

 

[zeeshan2]

[Pelissero] 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.

 

[IHEARTFF]

ok then never mind on Lamar I guess lol bucs

 

[IHEARTFF]

I mean he's better than Trask obviously. Can be viable with Evans & Godwin, but not super bullish.

 

[Faust]

Bucs signed QB Baker Mayfield, formerly of the Rams, to a one-year, $8.5 million contract. ​

After showing some signs of life in four starts for the Rams late last season, Mayfield will get a one-year prove-it deal with the quarterback-needy Bucs. Mayfield, 27, will compete with Kyle Trask for Week 1 starting duties. Paying for Carolina and LA in 2022, Mayfield posted the league's worst completion rate over expected and the lowest adjusted EPA per play. Mayfield, in his month with the Rams, ranked 17th in completion rate over expected. The former No. 1 overall pick will have a shot to save his career in Tampa as the Bucs try to get along after a disappointing end to the tumultuous Tom Brady era.
RELATED:

• Kyle Trask
• , Los Angeles Rams

SOURCE: Tom Pelissero on Twitter
Mar 15, 2023 at 11:51 AM ET

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Lord help me I just made an offer for him in a 16-team SF.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

Always thought he was a good quarterback, but he's certainly never proved it. Risky move by TB IMO.

 

[Grahamburn]

I mean he's better than Trask obviously. Can be viable with Evans & Godwin, but not super bullish.

I don’t know that we know that he is. Honestly.

 

[Grahamburn]

Always thought he was a good quarterback, but he's certainly never proved it. Risky move by TB IMO.

All upside for them. They don’t really have many other options to be competitive.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Footballguys Reaction - What's It Mean For Baker Mayfield Signing With Tampa Bay

No matter how hard the Buccaneers tried to convince us that they would start Kyle Trask at quarterback, they would inevitably add someone to the mix. Baker Mayfield has experienced all the highs and lows of being an NFL quarterback. He was the first overall pick in Cleveland just five years ago, and he's now playing for his fourth team in two years. Tampa Bay has the weapons to make this work, but Mayfield needs to improve his game.

Keep up with all the offseason movement with our Free Agent Tracker >>>

Contract Terms​

Tampa Bay brings Mayfield in on a one-year, $8.5 million contract. This deal screams low-risk for the Buccaneers and prove-it for Mayfield.

Fantasy Impact​

Replacing Tom Brady is no easy task; just ask Mac Jones, but that is the goal in Tampa Bay for Mayfield. Step one will be to beat out Kyle Trask for the job. Trask was drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft but didn't appear in a game until 2022. He has thrown just nine passes in his career. That limited experience, combined the change in offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay, means Trask does not have much of a head start on Mayfield.

See why the big moves matter with our Instant Reactions >>>

It would be easy to write Mayfield off after a disappointing end to his time in Cleveland and a disastrous stint in Carolina, but he ended 2022 on a relative high note. After being ousted by the Panthers, Mayfield signed with the Rams and immediately became the starter in a very-injured quarterback room. In five games with the Rams, Mayfield threw for 950 yards and four touchdowns. He also completed 63.5% of his passes, and the Rams notched two of their five wins with Mayfield at quarterback.

In Tampa Bay, the pieces are in place for a solid offense, assuming they don't fire sale away their receivers. They have certified stars in Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, plus quality complementary pieces in Russell Gage and 2022 rookies Rachaad White and Cade Otton. While confidence was low on these players heading into the season with Trask, Mayfield should improve that, if only slightly.

This move likely bodes best for Godwin. Mayfield has struggled to connect with deep-play wide receivers over his career. He rarely got on the same page with Odell Beckham in Cleveland, and D.J. Moore had his best games last year after Mayfield was released. Godwin and Gage tend to play close to the line of scrimmage, and Baker should lean on them. Godwin could come close to repeating the season he had with Brady last year, which led to a WR18 finish in 15 games. On the other hand, Mike Evans could struggle and is in jeopardy of ending his 1000-yard season streak. Mayfield has only supported two 1000-yard receivers in his career, Beckham and Jarvis Landry, both in 2019.

Fantasy Fallout​

Seeing the Rams bring Mayfield back would not have been a surprise. So far this offseason, we've heard retirement and trade rumors surrounding the 35-year-old Matt Stafford. Injuries plagued him, and Mayfield won as many games as Stafford as a Ram last year in just five games played.

You're not downgrading anyone in Los Angeles due to the loss of Mayfield, but the Rams better bring a quality backup in as insurance after the way 2022 played out.

Stock Watch​

Let's start with the caveat: Baker Mayfield needs to beat Kyle Trask. Then, if the Buccaneers keep Evans and Godwin, there is some sleeper upside here. This team has produced a top-12 fantasy quarterback in each of the last four seasons. Albeit with different coaches and the greatest quarterback to play football, but the opportunity is there. Evans and Godwin are as talented as Mayfield has played with in his career. He was the QB20 in 2019 while throwing for 3827 yards and 22 touchdowns, but he also threw 21 interceptions that season. If Mayfield can cut the turnovers and utilize his receivers, he could have top-15 upside in 2023.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

This is like when you find out your parents bought you a car and you look in the driveway and it's a used Pinto

 

[popeye]

Baker Mayfield is a poor man's Tom Brady. A very, very, very poor man's Tom Brady.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Always thought he was a good quarterback, but he's certainly never proved it. Risky move by TB IMO.

Isn't it a one year deal?

 

[Capella]

This is like when you find out your parents bought you a car and you look in the driveway and it's a used Pinto

Nah man it’s like having a Ferrari and that Ferrari deciding it doesn’t want to drive anymore and you are still paying for it so you have to get a Pinto.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Always thought he was a good quarterback, but he's certainly never proved it. Risky move by TB IMO.

Isn't it a one year deal?

Yep. 1 year deal.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I mean he's better than Trask obviously. Can be viable with Evans & Godwin, but not super bullish.

I don’t know that we know that he is. Honestly.

I'd say it's fairly safe to say, from experience alone.

We've seen some good out of Mayfield in the past, and he looked decent at times in LAR. Also fairly safe to say that Mayfield knows he's likely playing for his shot at a continued career here, which can be quite motivating.

 

[Boone22]

Are we SURE Kyle Trask is THAT BAD?

 

[Buckna]

8.5MM is pretty cheap for a QB, even one with warts like Baker. I mean Dalton just got $8M guaranteed from the Panthers (although it’s a 2 year deal for $11MM total so not totally analogous.)

Guess I can stick a fork in Godwin for a year. Hopefully Baker is bad enough to get Tampa a shot at the #1 or Godwin can get traded next off-season.

 

[Grahamburn]

I mean he's better than Trask obviously. Can be viable with Evans & Godwin, but not super bullish.

I don’t know that we know that he is. Honestly.

I'd say it's fairly safe to say, from experience alone.

We've seen some good out of Mayfield in the past, and he looked decent at times in LAR. Also fairly safe to say that Mayfield knows he's likely playing for his shot at a continued career here, which can be quite motivating.

I'm hoping he's our Drew Brees. Arians loves Baker and Canales helped Geno win Comeback Player of the Year. Cheers to optimism. :cheers:

 

[Grahamburn]

Dang. :cheers: isn't a thing.

 

[Capella]

8.5MM is pretty cheap for a QB, even one with warts like Baker. I mean Dalton just got $8M guaranteed from the Panthers (although it’s a 2 year deal for $11MM total so not totally analogous.)

Guess I can stick a fork in Godwin for a year. Hopefully Baker is bad enough to get Tampa a shot at the #1 or Godwin can get traded next off-season.

There is no way the Bucs are going to be close to the top pick. There is a lot of elite talent on that team still. They’ll be in the 8-9 win range.

 

[Grahamburn]

Kind of like my Drew Brees comparison actually.

Drew's record with SD was 30-28 overall. 62% complete. 79 TDs to 53 INTs.

Baker was 29-30 with the Browns. 62% complete. 92 TDs to 56 INTs.

Both left original franchise after enduring a torn labrum.

Bucs retired Drew and resurrect Baker. Beautiful.

 

[IHEARTFF]

Dream big

 

[Dr. Octopus]

8.5MM is pretty cheap for a QB, even one with warts like Baker. I mean Dalton just got $8M guaranteed from the Panthers (although it’s a 2 year deal for $11MM total so not totally analogous.)

Guess I can stick a fork in Godwin for a year. Hopefully Baker is bad enough to get Tampa a shot at the #1 or Godwin can get traded next off-season.

There is no way the Bucs are going to be close to the top pick. There is a lot of elite talent on that team still. They’ll be in the 8-9 win range.

and while Baker Mayfield isn't great, he's far from terrible. He's not going to throw games away.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Kind of like my Drew Brees comparison actually.

Not feelin it.

In order for the comp to be accurate, Baker would need to go on to a HOF career. That seems somewhat TBD, and long odds at that.

Also, Brees was a leader, and Mayfield has had his maturity questioned more than once, in several stops.

 

[Grahamburn]

Kind of like my Drew Brees comparison actually.

Not feelin it.

In order for the comp to be accurate, Baker would need to go on to a HOF career. That seems somewhat TBD, and long odds at that.

Also, Brees was a leader, and Mayfield has had his maturity questioned more than once, in several stops.

It's likely wishful thinking as a Bucs' fan, but statistically they are very similar in their first 4 seasons. Given up on. Shorter stature. Maybe Canales can work some magic with Baker the same way he did with Geno?

There are still pieces on offense.

 

[Godsbrother]

I don't think Mayfield was as bad as Cleveland made him out to be and he could still turn out to be a decent starter. However I think it's as likely that he'll never be more than a journeyman.

 

[Bri]

"He's big time. He always finds a way"

This continues to be fascinatingly true.

Career in jeopardy, gets his name out there again w the Rams.

Brady's replacement?
Really?

 

[Capella]

Kind of like my Drew Brees comparison actually.

Drew's record with SD was 30-28 overall. 62% complete. 79 TDs to 53 INTs.

Baker was 29-30 with the Browns. 62% complete. 92 TDs to 56 INTs.

Both left original franchise after enduring a torn labrum.

Bucs retired Drew and resurrect Baker. Beautiful.

If Arians were actively involved I’d say there is a chance Baker significantly improves. Canales may end up being a decent OC but that’s a tough projection.

 

[Capella]

The most likely outcome is Baker is ok, the Bucs win between 7-10 games, maybe lose another home playoff game, and are in QB purgatory and wasted another year of some very good talent.

But who knows, I guess the range of possibilities includes the 10% chance he has an amazing season. Evans and Godwin are a pretty elite pair. Maybe they can lift him up.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

It's likely wishful thinking as a Bucs' fan, but statistically they are very similar in their first 4 seasons. Given up on. Shorter stature. Maybe Canales can work some magic with Baker the same way he did with Geno?

There are still pieces on offense.

I would not be shocked if he plays well - he's cocky/dumb enough to not even care that he's following Brady.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

The most likely outcome is Baker is ok, the Bucs win between 7-10 games, maybe lose another home playoff game, and are in QB purgatory and wasted another year of some very good talent.

But who knows, I guess the range of possibilities includes the 10% chance he has an amazing season. Evans and Godwin are a pretty elite pair. Maybe they can lift him up.

Of course, this is assuming the Bucs don’t deal off Evans and Godwin.

 

[Buckna]

8.5MM is pretty cheap for a QB, even one with warts like Baker. I mean Dalton just got $8M guaranteed from the Panthers (although it’s a 2 year deal for $11MM total so not totally analogous.)

Guess I can stick a fork in Godwin for a year. Hopefully Baker is bad enough to get Tampa a shot at the #1 or Godwin can get traded next off-season.

There is no way the Bucs are going to be close to the top pick. There is a lot of elite talent on that team still. They’ll be in the 8-9 win range.

and while Baker Mayfield isn't great, he's far from terrible. He's not going to throw games away.

He is indeed pretty terrible. People blamed his shoulder his last year in Cleveland and yet he was still terrible again this past year. Dead last in QBR among ALL QB's when he was cut by the Panthers over PJ Walker and Darnold. Avg'd 180 yards passing per game, 32nd in the league in completion %, Pick a stat that he wasn't at the bottom of? He led one comeback against a terrible Raiders team with a bottom 5 defense and had one good game against a Bronco's team that completely gave up after Wilson threw INT's on his first two passes of the game. Sure the Rams were a shell of themselves by that point but he was pretty awful in their other games.

The team that barely made it to 8-9 with Brady at the helm is going to win 8 or 9 games this year? With Mayfield or Trask under center instead of Brady? I'll give you that the division is indeed a crazy one so stranger things have happened I guess. I mean, everyone expected Atlanta to be in the running for the #1 this past year and they won 7 games.
Maybe Baker can resurrect his career with a change of scenery but this looks more likely to be a total

 

[Dr. Octopus]

8.5MM is pretty cheap for a QB, even one with warts like Baker. I mean Dalton just got $8M guaranteed from the Panthers (although it’s a 2 year deal for $11MM total so not totally analogous.)

Guess I can stick a fork in Godwin for a year. Hopefully Baker is bad enough to get Tampa a shot at the #1 or Godwin can get traded next off-season.

There is no way the Bucs are going to be close to the top pick. There is a lot of elite talent on that team still. They’ll be in the 8-9 win range.

and while Baker Mayfield isn't great, he's far from terrible. He's not going to throw games away.

He is indeed pretty terrible. People blamed his shoulder his last year in Cleveland and yet he was still terrible again this past year. Dead last in QBR among ALL QB's when he was cut by the Panthers over PJ Walker and Darnold. Avg'd 180 yards passing per game, 32nd in the league in completion %, Pick a stat that he wasn't at the bottom of? He led one comeback against a terrible Raiders team with a bottom 5 defense and had one good game against a Bronco's team that completely gave up after Wilson threw INT's on his first two passes of the game. Sure the Rams were a shell of themselves by that point but he was pretty awful in their other games.

The team that barely made it to 8-9 with Brady at the helm is going to win 8 or 9 games this year? With Mayfield or Trask under center instead of Brady? I'll give you that the division is indeed a crazy one so stranger things have happened I guess. I mean, everyone expected Atlanta to be in the running for the #1 this past year and they won 7 games.
Maybe Baker can resurrect his career with a change of scenery but this looks more likely to be a total

Sure if you only count his bad games and make excuses for his good games, he’s terrible. If you average those things, he’s average.

 

[Buckna]

8.5MM is pretty cheap for a QB, even one with warts like Baker. I mean Dalton just got $8M guaranteed from the Panthers (although it’s a 2 year deal for $11MM total so not totally analogous.)

Guess I can stick a fork in Godwin for a year. Hopefully Baker is bad enough to get Tampa a shot at the #1 or Godwin can get traded next off-season.

There is no way the Bucs are going to be close to the top pick. There is a lot of elite talent on that team still. They’ll be in the 8-9 win range.

and while Baker Mayfield isn't great, he's far from terrible. He's not going to throw games away.

He is indeed pretty terrible. People blamed his shoulder his last year in Cleveland and yet he was still terrible again this past year. Dead last in QBR among ALL QB's when he was cut by the Panthers over PJ Walker and Darnold. Avg'd 180 yards passing per game, 32nd in the league in completion %, Pick a stat that he wasn't at the bottom of? He led one comeback against a terrible Raiders team with a bottom 5 defense and had one good game against a Bronco's team that completely gave up after Wilson threw INT's on his first two passes of the game. Sure the Rams were a shell of themselves by that point but he was pretty awful in their other games.

The team that barely made it to 8-9 with Brady at the helm is going to win 8 or 9 games this year? With Mayfield or Trask under center instead of Brady? I'll give you that the division is indeed a crazy one so stranger things have happened I guess. I mean, everyone expected Atlanta to be in the running for the #1 this past year and they won 7 games.
Maybe Baker can resurrect his career with a change of scenery but this looks more likely to be a total

Sure if you only count his bad games and make excuses for his good games, he’s terrible. If you average those things, he’s average.

I gave you some of his averages including his good games and he literally was near the bottom in pretty much every objective stat you can name including his two "good games" that weren't even that good. He averaged 230 yards and 1.5 TD's in two "good" games against teams picking in the top 10 this year. By nearly any objective measure, IMO he was indeed terrible last year.

Edit: having a bad day so I edited out my tone, sorry about that

 

[Grahamburn]

The most likely outcome is Baker is ok, the Bucs win between 7-10 games, maybe lose another home playoff game, and are in QB purgatory and wasted another year of some very good talent.

But who knows, I guess the range of possibilities includes the 10% chance he has an amazing season. Evans and Godwin are a pretty elite pair. Maybe they can lift him up.

Of course, this is assuming the Bucs don’t deal off Evans and Godwin.

Bowles/Licht are clearly trying to win in 2023.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Bowles/Licht are clearly trying to win in 2023.

Both of those things can be true. They may be trying to win, but they might also sell off Evans, Godwin, or both.

 

[Buckna]

Bowles/Licht are clearly trying to win in 2023.

Both of those things can be true. They may be trying to win, but they might also sell off Evans, Godwin, or both.

I believe Godwin just did a big restructure to help them get under the cap so it doesn't seem likely he would be traded because there is now a dead money hit. But as we've seen with lots of teams, they can get around the cap if needed.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Bowles/Licht are clearly trying to win in 2023.

Both of those things can be true. They may be trying to win, but they might also sell off Evans, Godwin, or both.

I believe Godwin just did a big restructure to help them get under the cap so it doesn't seem likely he would be traded because there is now a dead money hit. But as we've seen with lots of teams, they can get around the cap if needed.

I believe you’re correct.

Evans seems like a good candidate to trade. UFA in 2024, but of course they’d need a trade partner willing to take on a massive contract.

 

[Grahamburn]

The most likely outcome is Baker is ok, the Bucs win between 7-10 games, maybe lose another home playoff game, and are in QB purgatory and wasted another year of some very good talent.

But who knows, I guess the range of possibilities includes the 10% chance he has an amazing season. Evans and Godwin are a pretty elite pair. Maybe they can lift him up.

Just the move away from Leftwich is worth another win or two.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

I'm a little surprised people aren't more positive about this. The Buccaneers have one of the best WR tandems in the league. I mean, who's better? Hill-Waddle? Allen-Williams? One of the best, for sure. Why waste that talent on a guy who couldn't beat *Blaine Gabbert* for the backup job last year?

In the NFC South, the Buccaneers have a shot. Better OC coaching and a year of maturity for Rachaad White and they could win nine games. Not for sure, but definitely a shot. If Mayfield settles in and relies on his receivers, he could lead them into the playoffs. He has a pretty good TD-INT ratio. Like someone said, he's probably not going to lose them games.

You remain a division contender and a good chance at being competitive for $8.5 million? How is that not a great deal? Unless the argument is that they should totally tank for a better pick next year, this looks like a win for Tampa. He's about to be 28. He might be able to turn it around, and it looks like an inexpensive way to find out.

I like the move.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

You remain a division contender and a good chance at being competitive for $8.5 million? How is that not a great deal? Unless the argument is that they should totally tank for a better pick next year, this looks like a win for Tampa. He's about to be 28. He might be able to turn it around, and it looks like an inexpensive way to find out.

I like the move.

I’m trying to deal for him on the chance that he can turn a corner. I agree - it’s a shrewd signing by TB.

Unfortunately, my prospective trade partner is also suddenly optimistic about him. Imagine that.

I hate to overpay for a dude who might be a 1-year wonder. If I can get it done for draft picks I don’t mind overpaying a little on the gamble that there’s upside to be realized. I need a QB2 so that I can take Bijan 1.01

I never thought I’d be going hard after Baker Mayfield, yet here we are. 16 team SF does horrible things to a man.

 

[Marauder]

You remain a division contender and a good chance at being competitive for $8.5 million? How is that not a great deal? Unless the argument is that they should totally tank for a better pick next year, this looks like a win for Tampa. He's about to be 28. He might be able to turn it around, and it looks like an inexpensive way to find out.

I like the move.

I’m trying to deal for him on the chance that he can turn a corner. I agree - it’s a shrewd signing by TB.

Unfortunately, my prospective trade partner is also suddenly optimistic about him. Imagine that.

I hate to overpay for a dude who might be a 1-year wonder. If I can get it done for draft picks I don’t mind overpaying a little on the gamble that there’s upside to be realized. I need a QB2 so that I can take Bijan 1.01

I never thought I’d be going hard after Baker Mayfield, yet here we are. 16 team SF does horrible things to a man.

What are you offering for him, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

You remain a division contender and a good chance at being competitive for $8.5 million? How is that not a great deal? Unless the argument is that they should totally tank for a better pick next year, this looks like a win for Tampa. He's about to be 28. He might be able to turn it around, and it looks like an inexpensive way to find out.

I like the move.

I’m trying to deal for him on the chance that he can turn a corner. I agree - it’s a shrewd signing by TB.

Unfortunately, my prospective trade partner is also suddenly optimistic about him. Imagine that.

I hate to overpay for a dude who might be a 1-year wonder. If I can get it done for draft picks I don’t mind overpaying a little on the gamble that there’s upside to be realized. I need a QB2 so that I can take Bijan 1.01

I never thought I’d be going hard after Baker Mayfield, yet here we are. 16 team SF does horrible things to a man.

What are you offering for him, if you don't mind me asking?

Just got it done. I’ll post in the trades topic.

 

[travdogg]

I'm a little surprised people aren't more positive about this. The Buccaneers have one of the best WR tandems in the league. I mean, who's better? Hill-Waddle? Allen-Williams? One of the best, for sure. Why waste that talent on a guy who couldn't beat *Blaine Gabbert* for the backup job last year?

In the NFC South, the Buccaneers have a shot. Better OC coaching and a year of maturity for Rachaad White and they could win nine games. Not for sure, but definitely a shot. If Mayfield settles in and relies on his receivers, he could lead them into the playoffs. He has a pretty good TD-INT ratio. Like someone said, he's probably not going to lose them games.

You remain a division contender and a good chance at being competitive for $8.5 million? How is that not a great deal? Unless the argument is that they should totally tank for a better pick next year, this looks like a win for Tampa. He's about to be 28. He might be able to turn it around, and it looks like an inexpensive way to find out.

I like the move.

Its a great move FOR Mayfield. I mean, there aren't many easier paths to starting jobs, and like you said, the WRs (assuming Evans stays) are solid, if overrated a tad. Its also very possible TB is looking at taking Bijan Robinson at #19, as I'd be shocked if Rachaad White was starting for them next year. Wouldn't be shocked by Kincaid at #19 either.

That said, I can't see Mayfield being any better than Brady was in 2022, and that was 8 wins, and middling fantasy numbers, QB12 (QB18 PPG) while leading the league in attempts by 34, something Mayfield absolutely will not do. Tampa has also lost multiple OL starters. I think Tampa is just as likely (maybe more as I really don't think people realize how well Brady played last season) to finish last than 1st, even in this division.

Also, while I like the WR combo, both Godwin and Evans have slowed down a bit. They aren't the same caliber players they were in 2019. I think the following tandems are better:
Chase/Higgins
Allen/Williams
Adams/Meyers
Hill/Waddle
AJ/Smith
Metcalf/Lockett
Deebo/Aiyuk

 

[Da Guru]

I mean he's better than Trask obviously. Can be viable with Evans & Godwin, but not super bullish.

I don’t know that we know that he is. Honestly.

I'd say it's fairly safe to say, from experience alone.

We've seen some good out of Mayfield in the past, and he looked decent at times in LAR. Also fairly safe to say that Mayfield knows he's likely playing for his shot at a continued career here, which can be quite motivating.

Baker has some ability, but he just look too short in the pocket. Really think if he was 6-3, 6-4 with same skill set he would be much more effective. But so would Kyler Murray.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I think the following tandems are better:
Chase/Higgins
Allen/Williams
Adams/Meyers
Hill/Waddle
AJ/Smith
Metcalf/Lockett
Deebo/Aiyuk

Sure, but CIN, LAC, LVR, MIA, PHI, SEA, and SF didn’t get him.

TB has weapons. Mayfield isn’t going to be good for Evans, IMO, he’s always struggled with the deep ball. Godwin should be a perfect fit for his game though.

Baker has some ability, but he just look too short in the pocket. Really think if he was 6-3, 6-4 with same skill set he would be much more effective. But so would Kyler Murray.

and if my aunt had she’d be my uncle.

I don’t always buy the height argument. I’ve seen Baker play at a high level (rookie season, the year he took the Browns to the playoffs, etc) - he just got out over his skis. Some was the organization, some his lack of maturity.

I give it a 35% chance he resurrects his career with the Browns

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I'm a little surprised people aren't more positive about this. The Buccaneers have one of the best WR tandems in the league. I mean, who's better? Hill-Waddle? Allen-Williams? One of the best, for sure. Why waste that talent on a guy who couldn't beat *Blaine Gabbert* for the backup job last year?

In the NFC South, the Buccaneers have a shot. Better OC coaching and a year of maturity for Rachaad White and they could win nine games. Not for sure, but definitely a shot. If Mayfield settles in and relies on his receivers, he could lead them into the playoffs. He has a pretty good TD-INT ratio. Like someone said, he's probably not going to lose them games.

You remain a division contender and a good chance at being competitive for $8.5 million? How is that not a great deal? Unless the argument is that they should totally tank for a better pick next year, this looks like a win for Tampa. He's about to be 28. He might be able to turn it around, and it looks like an inexpensive way to find out.

I like the move.

You don't think David Carr is going to own this Division for several years?