Before joining Tampa Bay, Mayfield was the Browns’ No. 1 overall pick and led the team to its first playoff win in 26 years in 2020. But he lasted just one season, his fourth, with Cleveland, and the team was traded to the NBA for $1.2 billion. Traded him He transferred to Carolina and initially earned a starting spot, appearing in seven games before being traded to the Panthers. He was released. December 2022.
Mayfield then joined the Rams and led a 98-yard, two-minute drill two days later. A stunning victory That heroics, along with his solid play in the final four games of the season, earned him another spot in the spotlight and a deal to move to Tampa Bay in 2023.
A year later, Mayfield made his first Pro Bowl appearance and completed his first 4,000-yard passing season.
He has earned the trust of the Buccaneers organization, with general manager Jason Licht making it clear: Ink the QB He signed a three-year, $100 million contract last offseason.
Mayfield’s stability didn’t end there, as Tampa Bay added a number of new roster additions this offseason, including re-signing a wide receiver and other players. Mike Evans safety Antoine Winfield Jr. It also provided a reunion, as happened when the Bucs acquired Mayfield’s college wide receiver. Sterling Shepherdand returning defensive back Jordan Whitehead After a two-year hiatus.
“It went well and I couldn’t be happier,” Mayfield said of his first season with the Buccaneers. “Obviously we have some other guys back and they’re continuing what we built last year. The way they run the team from the top down, it just felt like the place to be. … I’m really excited to get another season with these guys. It’s pretty much the same group, so I’m just going to embrace that wholeheartedly and build on that teamwork even more.”
However, Mayfield and the team will not be returning everyone to try for a fourth consecutive division title. Offensive coordinator Dave Canales, who is the man most responsible for unleashing Mayfield, said, He was appointed head coach with their rivals, the Panthers.
His absence means the Buccaneers will have to learn a new offense under Liam Cohen, who Mayfield briefly worked with in Los Angeles but is otherwise unfamiliar to most of the players. Cohen will be the club’s third OC in as many years and Mayfield’s seventh since 2018, including their five-game partnership with the Rams.
The 29-year-old quarterback has endured such constant change throughout his career and more recently through the “Dirty Laundry” era, so he will be able to lead the team with a full understanding of what to expect.
He also knows who they all have to beat to take home the NFC South, including his old friend Canales.
“Don’t get me wrong,” Mayfield said, “the divisions are still with us.”
