Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Presented by

Jason Licht: Bucs Have Agreed to Terms with QB Baker Mayfield

On Thursday, Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht confirmed that the team has agreed to terms with free agent QB Baker Mayfield, setting up a competition for the starting job with third-year passer Kyle Trask

Mar 16, 2023 at 04:44 PM

Scott Smith

Senior Writer/Editor

It takes at least two players to have a battle for a starting job, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers now officially have a quarterback competition.

On Thursday, Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht confirmed that the team has agreed to terms with sixth-year quarterback Baker Mayfield on a one-year contract, marking its first addition of a player from another team since the start of free agency. Mayfield joins third-year man Kyle Trask as the only two quarterbacks currently under contract with the Buccaneers for the 2023 season. Both will seek to replace Tom Brady, who retired on February 1 after leading Tampa Bay to three straight playoff appearances and a victory in Super Bowl LV.

"We've always, all of us in the front office and the coaches as well ... we've seen a fiery competitor, very confident, smart, he's got a very good arm," said Licht of Mayfield. "He's had a lot of success. He took Cleveland to the playoffs for the [second] time since '94, when Coach [Bill] Belichick was coaching. That says something. We're excited to add him to the fray and it's going to be a great competition. It's going to be, since I've been here, really the real first legit QB competition in training camp, which will be a lot of fun to watch. It's going to make both of them better. I feel very confident about what [Offensive Coordinator] Dave [Canales] is going to do with the offense and with these quarterbacks. Very exciting."

Mayfield was the first-overall pick in the 2018 draft by the Cleveland Browns. He most recently split the 2022 season between Carolina and Los Angeles, starting the Rams last four games. Just three days after being claimed off waivers by the Rams he was thrust into action when John Wolford suffered a neck injury in the first quarter against Las Vegas, and he threw for 230 yards and a touchdown in a 17-16 L.A. victory. Two weeks later, Mayfield threw for 230 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions and a 51-14 rout of the Denver Broncos.

Mayfield started four seasons for the Browns before being traded to the Panthers following Cleveland's acquisition of DeShaun Watson. He played in 30 games with 29 starts for Cleveland, averaging 235.4 passing yards per game and tossing 92 touchdowns against 56 interceptions. In 2020, he led the Browns to an 11-5 record and their first playoff appearance in 18 years, compiling a career-best 95.9 passer rating. Mayfield completed 62.8% of his passes that season for 3,563 yards, with a stellar 26-8 touchdown-interception ratio. He was also second in the Offensive Rookie of the Year balloting in 2018 after throwing for 3,725 yards, 27 touchdowns and four interceptions.

After being traded to the Panthers, Mayfield won a training camp battle with Sam Darnold for the starting job and opened the first five contests before being sidelined by an ankle injury. He made one more start in November before being waived and claimed by the Rams.

In all, Mayfield has played in 72 games with 69 starts and has thrown for 16,288 yards, 102 touchdowns and 64 interceptions, compiling a career passer rating of 86.5. He has completed 61.4% of his passes (1,386 of 2,259) and has engineered seven game-winning drives and six fourth-quarter comeback victories. He also rushed for 660 yards and six touchdowns.

The Buccaneers are certain to add at least one more quarterback through free agency or the draft, but at the moment the job appears to be up for grabs between Mayfield and Trask. The Buccaneers drafted Trask in the second round in 2021 but he has seen action in just one game with nine passes thrown as the team followed Brady to consecutive NFC South titles. In six preseason games he has completed 72 of 122 passes for 769 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions.

1 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

2 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

3 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield reacts during warm-ups before an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

4 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) scrambles during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

5 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield plays against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

6 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) drops back to hand off the ball during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)

7 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. The Browns won 13-10. (AP Photo/David Richard)

8 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) stands on the field during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Cleveland. The Browns won 13-10. (AP Photo/David Richard)

9 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield works out prior to an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

10 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield works out prior to an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

11 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield works out prior to an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

12 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws the ball during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

13 / 78

14 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield checks his plays on his wristband during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

15 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) passes the ball during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

16 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

17 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) walks off the field after an NFL football game, Sunday, December 12, 2021 in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)

18 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)

19 / 78

En foto del domingo 12 de diciembre del 2021, el quarterback Baker Mayfield de los Browns de Cleveland lanza un pase ante los Ravens de Baltimore. El lunes 20 de diciembre del 2021, fuente indica a The Associated Press que Mayfield no dio negativo en la prueba de COVID-19 y no podrÃ¡ ser activado para enfrentar a los Raiders. (AP Foto/Ron Schwane)

20 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield warms up before of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. The Browns won 24-22. (AP Photo/David Richard)

21 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates after a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Austin Hooper during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

22 / 78

El quarterback Baker Mayfield lanza un pase por los Browns de Cleveland ante los Ravens de Baltimore el partido del domingo 28 de noviembre de 2021, en Baltimore. (AP Foto/Nick Wass)

23 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) rolls out of the pocket during an NFL football game, Monday, January 3, 2022 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)

24 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

25 / 78

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

26 / 78

FILE - Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) gestures during the second half an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in Pittsburgh. Baker Mayfield said the Cleveland Browns have work ahead if they want him to help them through their situation with Deshaun Watson. Mayfield, speaking at his football camp near the University of Oklahomaâ€™s campus on Tuesday, June 28, didnâ€™t entirely close the door on stepping in if needed.(AP Photo/Don Wright, File)

27 / 78

FILE - Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) warms up before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, on Jan. 3, 2022, in Pittsburgh. Mayfield's rocky run with Cleveland officially ended Wednesday, July 6, 2022, with the Browns trading the divisive quarterback and former No. 1 overall draft pick to the Carolina Panthers, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

28 / 78

FILE - Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) lines up for a play during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, on Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. Mayfield's rocky run with Cleveland officially ended Wednesday, July 6, 2022, with the Browns trading the divisive quarterback and former No. 1 overall draft pick to the Carolina Panthers, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin, file)

29 / 78

ARCHIVO - Foto del 3 de enero del 2022, el quarterback de los Browns de Cleveland Baker Mayfield calienta antes del juego ante los Steelers de Pittsburgh. El miÃ©rcoles 6 de julio del 2022, los Browns envÃan a Mayfield a los Panthers de Carolina a cambio de dos selecciones de Draft condicionales en el 2024 y 2025, informÃ³ a AP una persona que tiene conocimiento de la situaciÃ³n. (AP Foto/Gene J. Puskar, Archivo)

30 / 78

FILE - Then-Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) walks off the field after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Cleveland. The Panthers view their starting QB job as an open competition between the newly acquired Baker Mayfield and incumbent Sam Darnold, one that will ultimately be decided at training camp and in preseason games. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko, File)

31 / 78

FILE - Then-Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) passes during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Baltimore. The Panthers view their starting QB job as an open competition between the newly acquired Baker Mayfield and incumbent Sam Darnold, one that will ultimately be decided at training camp and in preseason games. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

32 / 78

ARCHIVO - El quarterback de los Browns de Cleveland, Baker Mayfield (6) se retira del campo tras un partido de la NFL en Cleveland, el domingo 12 de diciembre de 2021. (AP Foto/Matt Durisko, Archivo)

33 / 78

Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield walks on the field in the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

34 / 78

Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

35 / 78

Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

36 / 78

Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

37 / 78

Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

38 / 78

Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield warms up before an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

39 / 78

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield warms up before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

40 / 78

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield warms up before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

41 / 78

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield warms up before an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

42 / 78

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield listens during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

43 / 78

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

44 / 78

45 / 78

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield reacts after the Rams defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 17-16 in an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

46 / 78

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield (17) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)