Buccaneers Pickup of Baker Mayfield Named Top 5 NFL Offseason Moves
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Across pro sports, the free agency periods are one of the most intriguing times in the sports calendar. The NFL free agency continues to be more and more entertaining as years pass by. This past offseason, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers used the free agency to bring in Tom Brady's successor.
When bringing in Baker Mayfield in free agency, it was a no-lose scenario for both sides involved. Mayfield had the opportunity to go find a starting role in a scenario where there was little expectation, and the Buccaneers had a cheap replacement for Brady as they had no other plans to land a quarterback.
CBS Sports ranked the top five most impactful free agency signings, and Mayfield and the Buccaneers were No. 3 on the list.
"Of all the quarterback moves this offseason, Mayfield turned out to be the best offseason signing that made an immediate impact," CBS Sports wrote. "Pairing Mayfield with offensive coordinator Dave Canales has paid massive dividends, as Mayfield has completed 63.5% of his passes for 3,315 yards with 24 touchdowns to just eight interceptions and a 94.7 passer rating."
Mayfield had lost his starting job in unfair circumstances, as injuries ruined the end of his stint with the Cleveland Browns, and the Carolina Panthers weren't set up for success with him.
"The Buccaneers are leading the NFC South because Mayfield has given them above-average quarterback play. Mayfield is eighth in touchdown rate (5.2%), 10th in interception rate (1.7%), and ninth in quarterback rating (94.7%). Not bad for the 37th highest-paid quarterback this year," CBS Sports continued.
After receiving an opportunity to take over as a start, Mayfield has deservingly extended his NFL career and rebuilt his reputation as a quarterback in the league. What he's done on the field doesn't account for his leadership and off-field impact to the franchise.
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