After seeing Tom Brady officially retire from the NFL, most people counted out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers heading into the 2023 NFL season.
Losing a quarterback like Brady would be detrimental to any franchise, and the Buccaneers seemed well on their way to a tough year.
However, Tampa Bay surprised most of the league as they were competitive throughout the regular season and even won the NFC South.
The Buccaneers would go on to upset the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round before succumbing to the Detroit Lions in the NFC Divisional round.
Leading the way was Baker Mayfield, who a had resurgent year with the Buccaneers as their starting quarterback.
Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht acknowledged Mayfield was the best option for them at the position last year, via The Volume.
“For the situation we were in, he was the perfect quarterback for us,” Licht said.
“For the situation we were in, he was the perfect Quarterback for us”
—@Buccaneers GM Jason Licht tells @JohnMiddlekauff why Baker Mayfield worked so well in Tampa pic.twitter.com/bGxrFqfbZa
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) March 2, 2024
Licht explains that Mayfield had a chip on his shoulder to prove he could still start in the NFL and he did so with his best season as a pro.
As Licht notes, there’s no player that can replace someone like Brady but Mayfield did well to keep the Buccaneers upright offensively and he rewarded them with two postseason games.
While Mayfield seems likely to go back to Tampa Bay in free agency, other teams around the league could decide to offer him more money in hopes that he can play just as well for them.
Mayfield may not live up to his No. 1 pick pedigree, but he’s a serviceable quarterback who can come in and help a team immediately.
NEXT: Joe Haden Says How Much Baker Mayfield Should Be Paid