Social Media Reacts: Baker Mayfield named Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting quarterback
Former Oklahoma Sooners legend Baker Mayfield found out Tuesday he has won the quarterback job for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mayfield will be taking the spot of future Hall of Famer Tom Brady, who announced his retirement this offseason.
Head Coach Todd Bowles made the announcement during his press conference. Bowles said Kyle Trask found out he would be the backup but needs to be ready at any point in time to play.
Baker Mayfield is named the starting quarterback Todd Bowles announced today #Bucs
— Aileen Hnatiuk (@AileenHnatiuk) August 22, 2023
As for Mayfield, Bowles said, “Baker’s our guy. I like where we’re at Baker is one & Kyle is two.” Mayfield has thrown for 16,288 yards, 102 touchdowns and 64 interceptions in his career.
His biggest issue has been consistency which can also be attributed to a number of coaches and offenses he’s had in his career. He started his career with the Cleveland Browns and then spent time between the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Rams a season ago. Baker hopes to have found his home in Tampa.
Mayfield is on a prove-it deal signing a one-year deal worth up to $8.5 million. He has mentioned before he hopes this will be his home for years to come.
Mayfield has shown signs in his career of being a franchise guy. In his rookie year, he set the rookie touchdown passes record with 27. In his third year, he took Cleveland to the postseason and helped the Browns win a playoff game for the first time since 1994.
That season Mayfield completed 62.8% of his passes for 3,563 yards, 26 touchdowns to only eight interceptions. The following season with a lot of hype, Mayfield was injured in the second game of the season and tried to play through it. Following that season, he was traded to the Panthers.
Things weren’t much better with Carolina and he was released during the season, ultimately signing with the Rams. He had some success starting in place of an injured Matthew Stafford. He orchestrated a beautiful two-minute drive, which included a game-winning touchdown pass against the Raiders in his first start.
Baker Mayfield joined the team on Tuesday. He led a game-winning drive on Thursday. We love football. pic.twitter.com/ylYk2eb22f
— NFL (@NFL) December 9, 2022
He performed pretty well with a makeshift offensive line and wide receiver group due to injury. But Mayfield has to be consistent to help what many believe to be one of the worst teams in football. With the Bucs, Mayfield will be throwing to arguably the best group of wide receivers he’s played with since his time in Norman.
As for Oklahoma fans, I’m sure they are just glad not to have to wear any more orange Mayfield jerseys. That is unless it’s the 1970s creamsicle look.
Let's GOOOO!
TIME TO BAKE 🔥 pic.twitter.com/7GTdEbdUgU
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) August 22, 2023
"Baker's our Guy
“Baker’s our guy. I like where we’re at Baker is one & Kyle is two.” Todd Bowles says #Bucs
— Aileen Hnatiuk (@AileenHnatiuk) August 22, 2023
There's only 1 Oklahoma
Rakim Jarrett on Baker Mayfield: “He is a gunslinger. He has that Oklahoma swagger.”
— Brianna Dix (@briannadixNFL) August 22, 2023
Todd Bowles didn't mince words
BREAKING: Todd Bowles names Baker Mayfield as the #Bucs starting QB. pic.twitter.com/835efuzzRp
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) August 22, 2023
Baker doing Baker things
Tampa Bay signed Baker Mayfield with the thought that he would be the starter, but he needed to earn it in a QB competition. He did right from the beginning. https://t.co/8Bjp6asszR
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 22, 2023
The Incentives He can earn in 2023
Baker Mayfield's 1-year contract with the Bucs includes $4.5M in incentives. With Mayfield starting, he'll have a shot at earning them.
Here's at look at his incentive package… @The33rdTeamFB https://t.co/xOn18LfQeF pic.twitter.com/3B9EE6ii1r
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 22, 2023
Could this be the year he breaks the trend?
The Buccaneers have announced Baker Mayfield will be their starting quarterback.
He has never won a season opener 👀 pic.twitter.com/yn2VCgbPup
— Yahoo Sports NFL (@YahooSportsNFL) August 22, 2023
Excited about Baker!
Todd Bowles on naming Baker Mayfield the starter. “There’s a lot that goes into it. I can't sit up here and give you every detail. We go through man training camp (practices) and OTAs and we love everything Kyle (Trask) has done. He’s gotten leaps and bounds better. And he has in…
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) August 22, 2023
Time to thrive
Tampa Bay has the best wide receiver corps that Baker Mayfield's played with since college.
He's going to have a chance to cook with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. pic.twitter.com/EgL4RH0QqC
— Locked on Sooners (@LockedOnSooners) August 22, 2023
Protect Your Head Baker...
Baker Mayfield is the Tampa Bay Bucs starter so Head Butts are BACK pic.twitter.com/AaSyOiftYG
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 22, 2023
No lies detected
"Todd Bowles just named Baker Mayfield the starting quarterback."
Baker Mayfield upon learning the news: pic.twitter.com/ugYPqAEgtF
— Moody (@EricNMoody) August 22, 2023
Baker time
It’s Baker time. Mayfield named the starter.
— JC Cornell (@CornellNFL) August 22, 2023
Still Got it
Friday Night Dimes: Featuring Baker Mayfield.
What a throw last night from 6. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/XrefHketzX
— The REF (@KREFsports) August 12, 2023
In Command
Baker Mayfield: “I can’t say enough about the guys in the QB room and the chemistry is great…I just feel I am in good command of the offense right now and getting guys in the right spots.” pic.twitter.com/FL8TnjtJVX
— Brianna Dix (@briannadixNFL) August 22, 2023
How it helps to prepare for the season
Video: Baker Mayfield says being announced as the starter allows him to have a regular week of practice and put the competition behind him and focus on the games ahead. pic.twitter.com/nXXscFDHhW
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 22, 2023
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