Baker Back In The Kitchen

When you take over for a legend in the NFL, you got some pretty big shoes to fill. That was Baker Mayfield's task in Tampa Bay, taking over for Tom Brady. Not only did he take over, but he lead them to a playoff spot. And that got him a big contract.

Baker signed a three year deal worth $115 million, $50 million of which is guaranteed.

Baker's coming off a career year last season. 4,044 passing yards on the season, with 28 touchdowns and 10 picks. The passing yards and touchdowns are both career highs for Baker. The biggest thing for Baker was leading the Bucs to wins in five of the final six games of the season and power them to a division title and a playoff birth. They made it even more impressive by leading them to a win over the Eagles when it mattered most in the playoffs.

The biggest change between last year and this upcoming season for Baker is that he's got a new offensive coordinator to work with. Dave Canales is gone, having taken the job as head coach in Carolina. Liam Coen takes over as the offensive coordinator. So there is a little bit of familiarity there with the new OC coming in this season.

For Mayfield, this is his statement of I'm here and staying around a while. There was a lot expected of him when the Browns took him with the first overall pick in 2018. He helped get the browns to an 11 win season and a playoff birth in 2020. Then had a falling out in Cleveland. That lead to him going to Carolina then getting traded to the Rams. So when Tampa signed him, there was a lot of questions around him and if he could actually deliver. He did his first year in the Bay, with not only a winning record but a division title as well.

Now he's got another three years here in Tampa to show that he was worth what he's getting paid.