Staying with Buccaneers is best move for Baker Mayfield

When Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns divorced, many thought that was the end of the line for the former first overall pick as an NFL starting quarterback. 

Mayfield himself had different ideas. But as he has an opportunity to change teams again, it’s important the QB realizes the grass may not be greener elsewhere this time. 

The 2023 Pro Bowler took advantage of an opportunity to play in place of an injured Matthew Stafford with the Rams in 2022, pivoting that into a job with Tampa Bay last offseason. 

Mayfield initially signed with Buccaneers without any assurances of playing time and ascended to vying for NFL Comeback Player of the Year after leading the team to the playoffs. In 2023, Mayfield threw for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns and completed 64.3 percent of his passes. 

Recently, ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington said on “Get Up” that Mayfield is looking to get market value for his services. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports recently suggested Mayfield will command north of $75 million over three years in his next contract.

An athlete must factor money into any decision, but for Mayfield to continue his career resurgence, he must stay in Tampa. With the Buccaneers, he has an offense that is built for his success and a clear path back to more postseason berths. 

Based on the instability in the NFC South, the bar may not be too high for the Buccaneers to win the division again. 

Mayfield has already experienced a situation souring quickly and moving to a new place. After the 2020 regular season, he quarterbacked the Browns to their first playoff victory since 1994, but that didn't secure a long-term future in Cleveland.

Jumping to a new team on the heels of what Mayfield accomplished this past season wouldn’t be worth the risk at this point in the 28-year-old QB's career.