The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed former Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield to a one-year, $4.5 million contract on March 16, but the procedure was completed on Monday.
After Tom Brady‘s departure, the Buccaneers faced a struggle to find a new suitor, but with the job came great expectations. It’s never easy to fill a shoe that Brady left, and Baker is surely going to face enormous pressure from the fans and organization.
After officially becoming a Bucs player, he opened his mouth regarding the feelings of a new contract and his future role for the team.
What did Baker Mayfield say about the expectations?
On Monday morning, the 27-year-old appeared as a Bucs player in front of the reporter and shared his vision and contributions to the franchise. However, at one point, he addressed the elephant in the room and sent a clear message.
“Listen, I’m never going to be Tom Brady. There’s a reason why he’s won so many Super Bowls. He’s the greatest of all time — there’s no doubt about that,” the Heisman Trophy winner said. “I’m not going to try to be Tom. I’m going to be me. That’s what’s gotten me to this point. We’re going to do it differently.”
“Listen. I’m never going to be Tom Brady,” Baker Mayfield says in wanting to be his own self while competing to take over for maybe the best QB ever. pic.twitter.com/LPys7Zd1Ab
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 20, 2023
“It’s an honor to follow up with somebody like that. And I’m definitely going to pick the brains of the people who played with him around here for things he did; there’s no doubt about that. So, I’m excited,” the 2017 Sugar Bowl MVP added.
Although it’s going to be challenging for the Manning Award winner as the starting QB role is yet to be decided and the previous backup, Kyle Trask, is eyeing the position for himself.
Mayfield scored 102 touchdowns and 64 interceptions in his career, with 16,288 yards of passing for an 86.5 passer rating in his five-year career. He also gained popularity during his college career with the Oklahoma Sooners football team, which made him the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft.
What do you think of Baker Mayfield? Can he do a decent job for the Buccaneers? Leave your thoughts with us in the comment section.
