Jason Licht: I know Baker Mayfield is excited to compete for the starting job

NFL: JAN 01 Rams at Chargers
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The Buccaneers have made it official with Baker Mayfield, as they announced on Friday that they’ve agreed to terms with the quarterback.

Mayfield, the No. 1 pick of the 2018 draft, will now be on his fourth NFL team and is expected to compete with 2021 second-round pick Kyle Trask to be Tampa Bay’s starting QB.

“Baker is a tough competitor who plays with the kind of passion and confidence that you look for in a quarterback,” Bucs General Manager Jason Licht said in a statement. “He’s a young veteran with good upside who should thrive in our new offensive system with receivers like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Russell Gage. He had an impressive 2020 season when he led the Browns to their playoff appearance and did some good things during his brief stint with the Rams at the end of last season.

“I know from speaking with him that he is excited to come in and compete for the starting job.”

Mayfield had a poor stint with the Panthers, but helped the Rams end the season on a more positive note after Los Angeles claimed him off waivers.

While he didn’t start the Thursday night matchup against the Raiders, Mayfield engineered a stunning game-winning drive to beat Las Vegas. He ended his five-game stint with L.A. having completed 63.6 percent of his passes for 850 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions.

16 responses to “Jason Licht: I know Baker Mayfield is excited to compete for the starting job

  1. Not saying Derek Carr is bad or anything, but when he’s by far the best QB in the division, it makes you realize the NFC South became pretty sad all of the sudden.

  2. Like him or not; appreciate his skills or not; I believe the NFL is more exciting when Mayfield is a starting QB.

  3. Competition at the QB position is a good thing when a clear franchise player isn’t under contract. However, they should use a draft pick on a potential Franchise QB this year or next.

  4. Agree Baker Mayfield plays with passion and confidence – and after watching him play for 5 years, we also know he plays with limited upside. Middle of that pack ability at NFL level.

  5. The Browns did Baker dirty, so I support Baker getting as many chances as possible while at the same time hoping that Watson is the biggest bust in Browns history.

  6. I know many people here in Cleveland (myself included) will wish him only the best no matter where he plays.

  7. It’s shocking to see how these haters are suggesting that the Cleveland Browns did Baker ‘dirty.’ Do you know they offered him a long-term contract during the offseason after the playoff run which in hindsight was a generous offer. It was reports to be multiple years in the neighborhood of $30M to $35M annually. He then went to have a very poor season where he got hurt but insisted on playing – and playing the Browns out of a repeat playoff spot. The season was full of drama from Baker and players like OBJ wanted out. That is not a franchise QB. He is what he is, a short QB that plays inconsistly from week to week, from play to play.

  8. Nobody comes up smaller than Baker Mayfield when the game is on the line and the team needs a score to win. Have fun with that.

  9. Come on down Baker. Tampa Bay is eager and awaiting to see what you can do. We may be a bit jaded after having 3 years of the Goat, but let’s see if you can keep the Tampa crowd entertained. Go Bucs.

  10. Baker Mayfield limited talent but 110 percent effort. Love of the game should serve him well in tampa.

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