Social Media Reacts: Baker Mayfield named Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting quarterback

After a rocky start to his career, Oklahoma legend Baker Mayfield has found a new home and was named the starting quarterback.

Former [autotag]Oklahoma Sooners[/autotag] legend [autotag]Baker Mayfield[/autotag] found out Tuesday he has won the quarterback job for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mayfield will be taking the spot of future Hall of Famer Tom Brady, who announced his retirement this offseason.

Head Coach Todd Bowles made the announcement during his press conference. Bowles said Kyle Trask found out he would be the backup but needs to be ready at any point in time to play.

As for Mayfield, Bowles said, “Baker’s our guy. I like where we’re at Baker is one & Kyle is two.” Mayfield has thrown for 16,288 yards, 102 touchdowns and 64 interceptions in his career.

His biggest issue has been consistency which can also be attributed to a number of coaches and offenses he’s had in his career. He started his career with the Cleveland Browns and then spent time between the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Rams a season ago. Baker hopes to have found his home in Tampa.

Mayfield is on a prove-it deal signing a one-year deal worth up to $8.5 million. He has mentioned before he hopes this will be his home for years to come.

Mayfield has shown signs in his career of being a franchise guy. In his rookie year, he set the rookie touchdown passes record with 27. In his third year, he took Cleveland to the postseason and helped the Browns win a playoff game for the first time since 1994.

That season Mayfield completed 62.8% of his passes for 3,563 yards, 26 touchdowns to only eight interceptions. The following season with a lot of hype, Mayfield was injured in the second game of the season and tried to play through it. Following that season, he was traded to the Panthers.

Things weren’t much better with Carolina and he was released during the season, ultimately signing with the Rams. He had some success starting in place of an injured Matthew Stafford. He orchestrated a beautiful two-minute drive, which included a game-winning touchdown pass against the Raiders in his first start.

He performed pretty well with a makeshift offensive line and wide receiver group due to injury. But Mayfield has to be consistent to help what many believe to be one of the worst teams in football. With the Bucs, Mayfield will be throwing to arguably the best group of wide receivers he’s played with since his time in Norman.

As for Oklahoma fans, I’m sure they are just glad not to have to wear any more orange Mayfield jerseys. That is unless it’s the 1970s creamsicle look.