The Tampa Bay Buccaneers found their franchise quarterback.
Baker Mayfield proved that he still has plenty left to offer in this league.
The former No. 1 pick went out swinging, and even though he wasn’t perfect in that loss to the Detroit Lions, he did put his team in a position to make a comeback, and his numbers from the season were quite remarkable.
That’s why NFL analyst Craig Carton believes the Bucs should bring him back.
Talking on The Carton Show, Carton stated that even though the Bucs shouldn’t break the bank to give him a long-term deal, he’s earned their trust for the next couple of campaigns, and he’s actually the best — and only — option they might have right now:
“I don’t give Baker Mayfield 5 years and $150 million bucks, but I do give Baker Mayfield a legitimate contract in the neighborhood of $20 million a year for two or three years,” Carton said. “It’s his team now.”
"Make Baker Mayfield your franchise quarterback."
— @craigcartonlive on the Buccaneers offseason QB question pic.twitter.com/FnHMSkCtPA
— The Carton Show (@TheCartonShow) January 22, 2024
Mayfield’s numbers were pretty much identical to Tom Brady’s in his last season with the team.
He played with a huge chip on his shoulder this season, and leading his team to the NFC Divisional Round was way more than most people thought he would be able to do.
Of course, Baker Mayfield might not be the right guy to lead them to a Super Bowl, and chances are he’s closer to his ceiling at this point in his career.
But he plays in the weakest division in the league and has clearly established strong chemistry with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and he has earned the benefit of the doubt.
He might not be a superstar, but he’ll keep them in contention while they find their guy for the future.
NEXT: Skip Bayless Says 1 QB Deserves To Get Paid This Offseason
