Baker Mayfield Was Asked If He Was Humbled By Last Season
Baker Mayfield officially has signed a one-year deal with the Buccaneers for the upcoming season, giving him a fresh start after a disappointing 2022 campaign. The quarterback split last season between the Panthers and Rams, producing the worst numbers of his NFL career.
But while speaking with the media at his introductory news conference in Tampa on Monday, Mayfield said he doesn’t believe he was humbled by what happened last year.
“I wouldn’t say that the last year really humbled me. I learned a lot from it,” he said, via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. “I still believed in myself like that’s the only way I was able to, to get through it and finish on somewhat of a high note like real life.”
After the Browns acquired Deshaun Watson last offseason, Cleveland traded Mayfield to Carolina. Mayfield began the year as the Panthers’ starting quarterback, but he subsequently struggled and was released. He then signed with the Rams and finished the season as the team’s starter, in place of the injured Matthew Stafford.
The former No. 1 draft pick played in 12 games last season, totaling 2,163 yards, 10 touchdown passes and eight interceptions. After entering the offseason uncertain of his future, Mayfield is excited to have a chance to start for a playoff contender in 2023.
“It’s important for me to be in a place that’s stable and knows how to win, knows how to do it properly,” Mayfield said. “I wanted to go somewhere where we could win right away, and this is that place.”
Entering the summer, Mayfield and third-year pro Kyle Trask are the only two quarterbacks on the Bucs roster and are likely to compete for the starting role.
