It sounds like Baker Mayfield could return to Tampa Bay in 2024.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport emerged with huge news on the former No. 1 overall pick. Mayfield, a former Heisman Trophy winner, landed in Tampa Bay before the 2023 season began. The Buccaneers weren’t thought to be contenders this season after Tom Brady’s retirement. Several expected them to be one of thew worst teams in football and potentially contend to draft Southern Cal quarterback Caleb Williams.
However, that’s proved not to be the case at all. Tampa Bay has contended in a winnable NFC South Division all season. And they’ve done that thanks in large part to Mayfield’s play. He’s on a career-best pace right now and needs just four touchdowns in the next three weeks to achieve a career-high (28, he has 24 now).
Tampa has apparently noticed and doesn’t want things to end just yet.
Rapoport reported on Christmas Eve that Mayfield and the Buccaneers are reportedly “mutually interested” in a return for the 2024 NFL season.
“The Bucs and QB Baker Mayfield have mutual interest for him to be back in 2024,” Rapoport posted. The NFL Network insider made the post on X, the website formerly known as Twitter. He continued: “The former No. 1 pick seems to have found a home.”
Sources: The #Bucs and QB Baker Mayfield have mutual interest for him to be back in 2024. The former No. 1 pick seems to have found a home.
My story on Mayfield's future and what it means: https://t.co/r8lKqdXz7Vhttps://t.co/r8lKqdXz7V
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 24, 2023
Rapoport wrote in the report that while there could be hurdles due to Mayfield’s newfound leverage, both he and the team recognize what they mean to each other. And thus, there is a mutual interest in keeping the party going.
The NFL world reacted to this massive news on Christmas Eve.
Jason Licht & his team played this perfectly.
Ate all that dead cap this year, got the biggest QB bargain on the market, still in the driver's seat for a 3rd straight division title, and now in a much better place to keep building in 2024 and beyond. https://t.co/wRKuY5gQc1
— Luke Easterling (@LukeEasterling) December 24, 2023
“merry christmas, baker!” – joe barry https://t.co/8GKGn3W9fY
— zach jacobson (@itszacharyj) December 24, 2023
This was a prove-it year for 6 as he looked to ink another contract.
Early signs suggest he should get his pen ready.
Good for Bake. https://t.co/pri0hEl3tf
— Travis J Davidson (@TravisSkol) December 24, 2023
Joe Barry, quarterback employment agent since 2023. https://t.co/mKv03UJx1L
— Packers Diehards (@PackersDiehards) December 24, 2023
Both the Bucs and Baker need to come to terms on a 2-3 year deal. Mayfield has earned the right to have another shot at being a franchise QB. #GoBucs https://t.co/jy816ibcEc
— Christopher Mathis 🎙 (@thechrismathis) December 24, 2023
About Chris Novak
Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022