The Bucs have begun their 2023 coaching camp journey and with it comes a query they haven’t needed to reply in a very long time: Who’s going to be the beginning quarterback? On their roster there are two major choices in third-year participant Kyle Trask, and sixth-year participant Baker Mayfield. Every has many positives and negatives as to why both one will be the beginning possibility for the Bucs.
However let’s focus extra on Baker Mayfield and make the case as to why he might – and probably ought to – be the beginning quarterback for the Buccaneers within the 2023 season and probably longer if he is ready to play nicely.
Baker Mayfield’s Time In Cleveland
QB Baker Mayfield – Picture by: USA TodayPhoto By: USA Right now
Baker Mayfield has been across the block by way of taking part in quarterback within the NFL. His profession started beginning 4 straight years with the Cleveland Browns after being chosen with the No. 1 total decide within the 2018 NFL Draft, and total his time in Cleveland was stable. Mayfield completed with a file of 29-30, 14,125 passing yards (fourth in Cleveland historical past), 92 passing TDs (fifth in Browns historical past), and 56 interceptions (eighth most in Cleveland historical past).
He completed second in voting for the NFL Rookie of the 12 months Award in 2018 and his greatest season got here in 2o20 the place he completed with 3,563 passing yards, 26 passing TDs, and solely eight INTs. The Browns additionally not solely made the playoffs for the primary time in a very long time with Mayfield on the helm, additionally they have been in a position to snag a playoff win with Baker towards the rival Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Grass Is Not So Inexperienced On The Different Aspect
After his time with the Browns, Mayfield was shipped to the Carolina Panthers and didn’t have a very good stretch to start out off the season. He would end his time in Carolina with seven video games performed, a file of 1-5, 1,313 passing yards, six Passing touchdowns, and 6 interceptions.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and OC Dave Canales – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Mayfield would then request and be granted his launch from the Panthers after being bench halfway by means of the season and would land with the Los Angeles Rams the place he would see some enchancment from his time earlier within the season. Mayfield would end with 4 Passing TD’s, and a couple of INT’s, however did end with solely a 2-3 file in 5 video games in LA. Nonetheless, Mayfield’s solely win did include a fantastic recreation successful drive towards the Las Vegas Raiders after solely being with the workforce for under a few days previous to the matchup.
Whereas some might have a look at Mayfield’s time within the 2022 season as a disappointment (and for essentially the most half it was) it is usually necessary to recollect the context of the conditions that Mayfield was in that would have probably led to his struggles final 12 months. Mayfield was positioned on a Carolina Panthers workforce that may wind up with the primary spherical decide and enter full rebuild mode after the season after buying and selling away star gamers Christian McCaffery and DJ Moore, and in addition fired their head coach Matt Rhule halfway by means of a lackluster season.
He would then find yourself on a Rams workforce that was with out a big majority of their star gamers (Cooper Kupp, and extra have been out by the point Mayfield received to LA) and was additionally already in the direction of the underside of the league by way of file by the point Mayfield arrived. Whereas these causes will not be completely why Mayfield struggled all through final season, they definitely did play an element and exhibits that if Mayfield is ready to have a stable workforce round him, enhancements can definitely be made.
What Baker Mayfield Can Be For The Bucs
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
Baker Mayfield is coming into one of the best scenario he has had in a very long time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has the passing targets (Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin), the offensive line items (Tristan Wirfs, Ryan Jensen and different excessive degree investments from Jason Licht), and a stable protection to go with the offense (Vita Vea, Lavonte David, Devin White, and extra). He additionally has the good thing about having first time offensive coordinator Dave Canales coming in with an offense that may hopefully profit the quarterback and praise the strengths of the place.
With Mayfield because the workforce’s starter, the Bucs are getting a participant who has expertise each within the common season and a bit within the playoffs as nicely. Mayfield has proven that he could be a stable quarterback and might win soccer video games if he is ready to have good items in place and he ought to have each alternative to carry out nicely if/when he’s named the beginning QB of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
