Tom Brady’s retirement is largely expected to bring some tough years to Tampa Bay, with DraftKings Sportsbook now setting the Buccaneers’ over/under win total for the 2023 season at 6.5.
Baker Mayfield, the potential replacement for Brady at quarterback, believes he and his teammates have been underrated.
“Everyone is talking about Tom’s disappearance. Yes, he is the greatest quarterback to ever play,” Mayfield told The Athletic’s Mike Jones. “However, football is the world’s greatest team sport.” As a result, it needs a lot more than one person. And there are a lot of fantastic pieces in this collection. And, yes, they were injured last year. I believe everyone is hungry and ready to go…
“I’ve always been true to myself. That’s why people either love or despise me. So I do things my way. And it’s something I enjoy doing. I like myself while doing it. … I have the utmost regard for (Brady), but I will never strive to be him. I don’t have his build. I don’t play like he does. So, yeah, just strive to be the best version of yourself.”
Mayfield signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Buccaneers in March to battle for the starting job with Kyle Trask. While he has not been selected the regular-season starter, Mayfield has been designated as the starting quarterback for Tampa Bay’s preseason opener.
Apart from Brady and running back Leonard Fournette, the Buccaneers return a sizable component of their offense from last season. At receiver, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin remain a fantastic 1-2 punch, while Russell Gage is a solid third option. With Rachaad White primed to take over the backfield in his second NFL season, the running back depth chart should be OK as well.
With a poor NFC South, the Bucs could end up battling for a postseason position.
The quarterback situation is their biggest worry on offense, with Mayfield now playing for his fourth team since the start of the 2021 season. The No. 1 overall choice in 2018 has battled terribly over the last two seasons, recording 27 touchdowns to 21 interceptions while losing starting jobs in Cleveland and Carolina. His surprise strong finish to the season with the Los Angeles Rams was the deciding factor in Tampa giving him a chance.
To say Mayfield is not Brady is an understatement of the century.