Brady-Related Reason Why Mayfield Signed With Bucs Revealed

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took a flier on Baker Mayfield, who was on the NFL scrapheap in 2023 after two failed stints with the Carolina Panthers and then the Los Angeles Rams, he was seen as a dart throw.

And what a throw it's been.

Since arriving, Baker has seen a career resurgence that has put the Buccaneers back into contention in the NFC, and now, as we look ahead to 2025, some think the franchise can win the conference given the weapons on both sides of the ball.

But how did the actual move for Baker transpire?

Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht revealed in a chat with the Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud that there were similarities between Baker's decision and Tom Brady's decision in 2020.

“Some of the same ways that Tom [Brady] chose us, Baker chose us too, because he knew that Tom chose us because it was the best place for him to win a Super Bowl, Baker chose us because it's the best place for him to revive his career," Licht said. "There wasn't agendas, and he was going to be able to just play football and try to win. 

"So that was big for him, and he's obviously helped, big part in winning, but those players love playing with him, especially receivers. Who knows if Mike [Evans] would have chose to come here, who knows if Chris [Godwin] would have signed back, they love that guy. It's because they want somebody that's going to help them on the field too. So I hope Baker's here a long time.”