After superstar quarterback Tom Brady decided to retire ahead of the 2023 NFL season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were given the tall task of replacing arguably the greatest player in league history, which obviously is no easy feat.
With no superstar players available on the free-agent market, the Buccaneers’ choices for their next starting quarterback were limited, with no telling if this team could bring in a formidable starter to be Brady’s successor.
Fortunately for Tampa Bay, veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield was there for the taking, and he was coming off an impressive short stint with the Los Angeles Rams as he filled in for the injured Matthew Stafford.
Although the odds were against him having success in Tampa Bay, Mayfield far exceeded expectations in his first season with the Buccaneers by leading the team to an NFC South division title and a big playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the postseason.
With Mayfield proving his worth, many believe he could get a long-term deal with the Buccaneers this offseason, with GM Jason Licht making it clear that he wants the veteran back for the 2024 campaign, via “The Rich Eisen Show.”
“We definitely want Baker back,” Licht said. “We’re working through things right now. The player always has an option, too. It’s got to work out for him and want to give him the respect of making the decision what’s best for him, too. I know he wants to be here and I know we want him.”
💻 Jason Licht
“We definitely want Baker back.”
The @Buccaneers GM talked with us about the big domino he’s hoping to knock over this offseason and the timeline he’s hoping to get @bakermayfield back in Tampa:#NFL #NFLFreeAgency #NFLDraft #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/PC611W9RwK
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) March 8, 2024
All signs point to both sides coming to terms on a long-term deal at some point during the NFL offseason and securing the quarterback position for the foreseeable future as a result.
The Buccaneers recently re-signed star wide receiver Mike Evans, which also bodes well for the two sides figuring something out.
NEXT:
Video Shows Baker Mayfield Taking Batting Practice At Yankees Spring Training