Why Buccaneers Are Ideal Landing Spot for Baker Mayfield amid NFL Free-Agency Rumors

It's been a rough couple of years for 2018 first overall pick Baker Mayfield.

The former Oklahoma star and Heisman winner set a then-rookie record with 27 touchdown passes in his first campaign with the Cleveland Browns. He had a down season in 2019 but rebounded in 2020 with his best campaign as a pro.

Mayfield led the Browns to their first playoff win since the franchise returned to the NFL in 1999. He posted an impressive 95.9 passer rating that year and seemed destined for stardom.

However, the 27-year-old battled through an injury-plagued 2021 campaign, was traded by Cleveland the following offseason and is now searching for his fourth team in eight months.

Mayfield could still be a quality starter in the NFL, but he needs to reestablish himself quickly. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could provide him with the perfect opportunity to do just that.

And the Bucs are interested, according to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. However, other teams are reportedly intrigued by the player as well:

If Mayfield has his choice, Tampa should be No. 1 on the list. While the team is starting over at quarterback in the wake of Tom Brady's retirement, it's not undergoing a total rebuild.

The Buccaneers should still have a strong defense in 2023—it ranked ninth overall this past season—and it boasts elite pass-catchers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

After being released by the Carolina Panthers during the season, Mayfield flashed in a five-game stint with the Los Angeles Rams. He showed signs of being the same capable and confident quarterback he was early on in Cleveland, finishing his Rams tenure with a 63.6 percent completion rate and an 86.4 passer rating.

With all due respect to the healthy Rams players who were on the field with Mayfield—Cooper Kupp was not one of them—the Buccaneers can offer a better supporting cast.

Tampa could also give the Austin, Texas native a chance to work with new offensive coordinator Dave Canales.

The 41-year-old spent the last 13 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, and as their quarterbacks coach this past season, he helped revitalize Geno Smith's career.

The journeyman backup had started just five games between 2015 and 2021 but reemerged as a reliable starter and a Pro Bowl player in 2022.

Mayfield was looking for a fresh start when he was dealt to Carolina, but he also faced a lot of early pressure. He didn't join the Panthers until July and was on a short leash as head coach Matt Rhule was looking to save his job (he didn't).

While Mayfield would have to compete with Kyle Trask in Tampa, he would have a more stable situation if he wins the starting job.

Head coach Todd Bowles isn't under as much pressure to win now as Rhule was in Carolina.

And Mayfield would be a tremendous fit for the Buccaneers. He's mobile enough to operate behind a lackluster offensive line, and he has a powerful arm that would complement Evans and Godwin.

Mayfield is also young enough that he could become Tampa's long-term answer at quarterback if all went right. And because he is trying to reestablish himself, he may be willing to take a team friendly, incentive-laden deal. For a Buccaneers team that is still over the salary cap, that's important.

This would be a win-win pairing for a quarterback and a franchise each at a crossroads. Both parties owe it to themselves to make it happen this offseason.

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*Cap and contract information via Spotrac.