Baker Mayfield named as Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting quarterback following Tom Brady’s retirement
- Tampa Bay has been in need of a new quarterback since Tom Brady’s retirement
- John Wolford was taken off the field last weekend after being injured
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have confirmed that Baker Mayfield will be their starting quarterback for the 2023 season.
Mayfield, who was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2018 with the first overall pick, is taking over following the retirement of Tom Brady late last season.
There had been some uncertainty about who would take the starting spot. John Wolford was carried off the field on a spine during the second half of a game against the New York Jets this weekend.
The Bucs confirmed that on Tuesday Mayfield will be below center as they begin their regular season on September 10 in Minnesota.
The 28-year-old was in contention with Kyle Trask, who was selected by the Buccaneers in the second round of the 2021 draft.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have confirmed that Baker Mayfield will be their starting quarterback
Mayfield was in a head-to-head battle with Kyle Trask for the chance to lead the Bucs
Mayfield, who played college football at Texas Tech and Oklahoma, will be the first quarterback other than Brady to start for the Bucs since the veteran landed in Florida in 2020.
Brady, now 46, led Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl and two NFC South titles before retiring as a seven-time NFL champion.
Mayfield started the Bucs’ preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers—completed eight of nine passes for 63 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions—before Trask had the opportunity in week two against the Jets.
Tom Brady, now 46, led Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl and two NFC South titles before retiring
The 25-year-old played the entire first half and then replaced Wolford after his neck injury. Trask completed 20 of 28 passes for 218 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.
Mayfield will start on opening day for the fifth time in six years when he faces the Vikings.
He had to wait until the fourth game of his rookie season for the Browns to give him a start. But he was the team’s No. 1 quarterback at the start of the 2019, 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Mayfield was then traded to Carolina last July, where he fought for the Panthers’ starting role with Sam Darnold.
The 28-year-old started six games for the Panthers last season before being waived and claimed by the LA Rams.