Greg Auman
NFC South Reporter
TAMPA — A year ago, Baker Mayfield was surrounded by doubt and uncertainty, signing a modest $4 million deal with the Bucs after spending the previous year with three different teams. His future was unknown, and the outside expectations for Tampa Bay were not good, projected by many as one of the worst teams in the NFL.
He signed another deal with the Bucs on Wednesday, reflecting just how much his life has changed in that year. He led the Bucs to a division title and a playoff win, reset his career highs in touchdown passes and yards, and his new contract is a validation of the success he found in 2023: three years and $100 million, including $40 million fully guaranteed.
He and his wife, Emily, are expecting their first child, a daughter, in the next month, and that only added to a strong feeling of home in Tampa and his desire to stick with a good thing. Sitting at lunch on the water Sunday, he made the call to accept the Bucs’ offer and felt immediate relief.
“A weight lifted off of our shoulders, from the traveling journey we’ve been on the last few years,” said Mayfield, who went from the Browns to the Panthers to the Rams in 2022 before settling in Tampa. “For us, knowing how much we truly love being here, throughout the whole process we thought we were going to call this place home in the offseason regardless. That’s how much we fell in love with the community and the city overall. Truly enjoyed living here. Knowing we can settle in and … can be truly rooted, it’s a special feeling.”
Mayfield is perhaps the centerpiece of a strong week for the Bucs. He’s one of five coveted free agents the team brought back, including receiver Mike Evans, safety Antoine Winfield, linebacker Lavonte David and kicker Chase McLaughlin. The Bucs haven’t added a single outside player yet, but there’s confidence the returning core can lead the team to greater success.
“We made a good run there at…
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Publish date : 2024-03-13 18:12:07
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