Baker Mayfield is No. 1 once again.
The Buccaneers named the journeyman QB their starter on Monday as the team moves on from the Tom Brady Era.
“I expect to be the starter,” Mayfield said. “I know how talented I am. I know what type of leader I am. Now it’s time for the real thing. We’re about to have the real games and everybody’s excited here.”
Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles made the decisions after seeing Mayfield battle Kyle Trask throughout training camp.
“Baker’s our starting quarterback, Kyle’s our No. 2,” 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.”
The 28-year-old will now start for his third team since being traded to the Panthers by the Browns, who drafted him first overall in 2018.
He was cut by the Panthers in Week 12 of last season, catching on with the Rams over the final weeks of 2022 before signing with Tampa Bay this offseason.
Mayfield enters the season with big shoes to fill after Brady retired in February after over two decades of NFL excellence.
Brady led the Bucs to a Super Bowl title in 2020, his first season with the team.
“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 Oklahoma product completed 8 of 9 pass attempts in Tampa Bay’s preseason opener against the Steelers, adding a touchdown in his only action.
What Bowles saw, he clearly liked.
“All-around — he can throw it, he’s very smart, he understands football very well, he can read defenses, he’s very good for the scheme we’re using — as is Kyle, I’m not denying that either,” Bowles said of Mayfield. “But Baker’s the guy we’re going with right now and we’re comfortable with that.”
Still, Mayfield knows there’s more to prove.
“I am one of 32 guys who can say they are a starting quarterback in the NFL,” he said. “I am living out a dream but now is not the time to be satisfied.”
The Bucs open their 2023 campaign against the Vikings in Minnesota on Sept. 10.
