That will take some of the drama out of Baker Mayfield’s free agency.
Mayfield has catapulted to one of the top quarterbacks on the free-agent market after a redemptive 2023 season, leading the Buccaneers to the NFC South title and a dominant 32-9 win over the Eagles in the wild-card round.
Mayfield, 28, was a guest on “Up and Adams” Wednesday in Las Vegas and after his interview was talking to 49ers Hall of Famer Steve Young as cameras still rolled.
The footage — posted by The Draft Network’s JC Cornell on X — appears to show Mayfield indicating to Young that he plans to stay with the Buccaneers.
Mayfield says to Young that he is looking forward to “getting some pieces back” — perhaps a nod to stud receiver Mike Evans, who is also a free agent.
Young then says, “Settle in there, make a career” to which Mayfield responds, “exactly.”
Young ends the conversation by noting that’s where “he started” as the three-time Super Bowl champ played two seasons in Tampa Bay before being traded to San Francisco.
Young and Mayfield’s conversation happens in the background as former Patriots and Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski commiserates with host Kay Adams about the numbers of messages he got while being interviewed.
Mayfield was a favorite to return to Tampa Bay, given the success he had there after his NFL career looked to be in jeopardy.
Mayfield was cut by the Panthers last season before signing with the injury-riddled Rams, showing some life in a five-game stretch to end the year.
The Buccaneers reportedly consulted with Mayfield about offensive coordinator candidates before deciding to hire Liam Coen, who held the same position with the Rams when Mayfield was there.
“I love it there,” Mayfield told the AP earlier this week. “Obviously, you’re gonna have to evaluate the options and make the best decision for us moving forward. But they allowed me to come in and be myself and embraced us, Emily and I, just the whole city. And so that’s something to be truly grateful for. And we’re definitely not going to forget that. But it’s a great place.”
Mayfield threw for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for the Buccaneers as he replaced the retiring Tom Brady.
Kirk Cousins, Ryan Tannehill and Gardner Minshew are the other notable quarterbacks in a relatively tame free agent class.