WIDE RECEIVER STERLING SHEPARD

(On being a part of the close-knit Buccaneers roster again for a second season)

"In my nine years in the NFL, I've been a part of a lot of groups and not one has been as close as the guys we've had in this locker room, especially in the wide receiver room. You've got veteran guys in there and then you've got a good balance of younger guys, as well, so we're able to speak life into those guys and help them in any way that they need. But we also have the experience in the room with Mike [Evans] and Chris [Godwin] – guys that have done it at a high level for a long time. It's a special combination. Like I said, I'm just super excited to be back as a part of this crew, and this group of guys, because I feel like we have something special coming, and we've just got to put it all the way together."

(On the continuity of the offensive personnel from the 2024 season into the 2025 season)

"I mean, yeah, that's the reason why I chose this place in the first place is that I love the group of guys that we had already established. Then being a part of it last year, it was very encouraging to me, which is ultimately the reason I decided to come back just because of knowing the system and being in this system before. It's not like a major change because 'Grizz' (Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard) is in that spot now. Like I said earlier, being in the second year of an offense, you have a grasp of what they're asking for, you know how you work well with other players and what they're going to ask of other guys, and, I have a true understanding of what my role is. That was what was appealing to me. Also, just being around the coaches. I love this group of coaches – they work well with each other – probably the best that I've been around. I feel like this is the best situation for me [with] where my career is. I think we're on the up."

(On getting another season with QB Baker Mayfield)

"Baker is one of those quarterbacks that you want to give your all for and it has been that way since college. It's been that way since my senior year when I got a chance to play with him. Obviously, I was on the road to retirement last year, and he gave me that call. I wouldn't want to come back and play for anybody else. If I had to choose between going to go spend time with my kids or going to go play football, if I was going to decide to play football, it would be with Baker Mayfield. I wouldn't want to do it with anybody else. I'm very blessed and fortunate to be in the position I am right now and I can't wait to just put on a helmet and go to work."

(On the outlook of this team moving forward)

"I felt like we approached the season last season with a great mentality as a unit. We just have to refine some things and figure out what we didn't do as well last season that we can clean up on. But I think that we're on the right track and we're headed in the right direction, so I'm excited, like I said, about the group of guys that we have and where we're headed."

(On if joining the Buccaneers reinvigorated his love for the game)

"To answer this question the best way I can… that's always been in me is the love and the passion for this game. Me being in New York – although we weren't winning – I thrive off of seeing other guys succeed. So, wherever I can find that… It was a rough season, but guys were doing a great job in their role and that fires me up. Being here, it gave me a different type of motivation, like I was able to actually play more than being in New York, and I got to show what I had to offer to the team, which was great and it kind of gave me like a resurgence and an energy to play the game again. It's brought that excitement back for me and I attribute that to the guys around me. Seeing the way that Mike [Evans] attacks the game, seeing the way that Baker [Mayfield] attacks the game, Tristan [Wirfs], and all of those guys – it lights you up and it makes you want to give your all for those guys. I knew that I had a lot to give in the tank after leaving New York – it was just kind of the situation and not really being in a position to play as much and them wanting to go with the younger guys, which was understandable. I knew I had a lot more to give and as soon as I got my opportunity, I tried to make the most of it. I feel like I have a little bit of ball left to play and I just want to max it out all of the way. I feel like I can clean up some of the stuff that I did last year. It was more ball than I got to play in a long time last year, so I feel like getting that underneath me is going to help me out."

LINEBACKER ANTHONY WALKER JR.

(On if his relationship with Lavonte David is part of why he signed with Tampa Bay)

"Yeah, a huge reason. Obviously, the respect that he has in Tampa, on this team, in the city, everywhere he's been, he's touched a lot of lives and for him to help me get here is amazing as well. Obviously, a chance to be teammates with him would be pretty dope and I kept telling him that. He said one day he was going to make it happen. We've been trying to get this done since I was getting drafted but [we were] finally able to get it done."

(On his ability to drop in coverage and play the middle of the field)

"Obviously, defense is all about knowing where your spot is and everyone knowing where their spot is and understanding how offenses can attack us and making sure we limit those games where they do throw it there. It starts out with me doing my job and my job is to cover the middle of the field. I pride myself on not allowing the ball to be thrown deep behind me or deep in front of me. That's my job. That's me knowing what the defensive call is and executing my job at that time, whether I'm blitzing or I'm dropping in coverage or I'm stopping the run. Whatever it is, you just want to execute your job and make sure the other 10 guys are on the same page as you with what the defensive call is. I see all the stuff on social media and everything where people [are] like, 'His PFF grade…' And all that. I'm just here to tell you, you can watch the film – the ball does not get completed behind me or in front of me in the middle of the field and that's how I feel."

(On how excited he is to play with guys like NT Vita Vea and DL Calijah Kancey in front of him)

"The elite talent that Vita Vea is – obviously, always watching from afar, you hear that name so much – a big human that's able to move people and run down ball carriers, so obviously the unique gift that he has, you definitely appreciate. Calijah, same thing – a Miami guy as well – just a little younger, but you know, [he] has those springy legs and plays with a lot of passion, a lot of energy. [He's] another good friend of mine, as well, so just excited to be a part of… Obviously this defense has been pretty good the last few years. For me to join, I'm excited for the opportunity to join these guys and like I said, just play my role and bring whatever I can to the table."

(On what has allowed QB Baker Mayfield to thrive in Tampa the way he has)

"I'm pretty sure he'll tell you this – the maturity level. I think once you get to a certain age you just start doing things a little different. I always thought Baker was a great quarterback, even at Oklahoma in college. Even when I was in Cleveland, I thought he was a great quarterback there. He just battled injuries the year I was there that we played together. He even started off that season hot. We just got to a point where he was playing through an injury. Again, now he's fully healthy. You can see the trust in his teammates, trust in the offensive line, in the coaches and everything like that. You see a quarterback playing at that elite level now, you understand it's a lot of moving parts that go with that. I'm excited to continue to see it and be a part of it now as his teammate. I always believed in Baker and I know he can get the job done."

(On how much he knows about Head Coach Todd Bowles' defense and if Lavonte David has shared anything with him to prepare for it)

"Again, just watching from afar, they stop the run really well. They do come after the quarterback a lot, as well, so one of the first things he told me is to just be ready to go, doing everything – blitzing, coverage, stopping the run, all that stuff. The last thing he texted me just now was, 'All right. It's time to get to work.' I'm like, 'Dude, it's still the offseason [laughs]. What's wrong with you?' But that's just kind of how we always competed, me and Lavonte, in the offseason and everything like that. I even have this video that I'm going to post soon of me beating him in a race. I told him I was going to save it for when we become teammates. Again, that's just the competitive nature that we have, we've always had. I'm just excited to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Obviously, [it's] a legendary organization and a team that's right there, ready to win a Super Bowl."

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