The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have named Baker Mayfield as their starting quarterback for the 2023 season despite having one more preseason game to go to evaluate the position.
Mayfield, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 Draft by the Cleveland Browns had stints with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams, beat out 2021 second-round draft pick Kyle Trask.
“Baker’s our starting quarterback, Kyle’s our No. 2,” head coach Todd Bowles said. “We love everything Kyle has done. And he’s gotten leaps and bounds better than he was in the spring and he’s continuing to get better and we’re excited about him. But Baker’s our guy right now — experience-wise and just understanding the playbook just a little bit better. But Kyle’s on the come [up]. But we like both guys. We like where we’re at. Baker’s [No.] 1, Kyle’s [No.] 2.”
“Now I’ve just got to lead like I know how, and the real thing is right around the corner,” Mayfield said. “It’s an exciting time.”
The Buccaneers are Mayfield’s third team since he was traded by the Browns one year ago. He lost the starting job with the Panthers in Week 12 and was released shortly after. He then signed with the Rams and preformed well enough to earn a fresh start in Tampa.
Tampa will open the season on Sept. 10th against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
