While Mayfield played for both the Panthers and the Rams last season, he finished with a combined 2-8 record as a starter.
Upon joining the Bucs and winning Brady’s former job in training camp, not many predicted the team would be good enough to finish with a winning record, much less make the playoffs for the first time as a franchise.
But head coach Todd Bowles saw Mayfield as a strong fit for both the locker room, which has changed from being among the oldest in the NFL to one of the youngest since Brady’s retirement, and the new offensive scheme being implemented by first-year offensive coordinator Dave Canales.
Prominent wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are still there, as are defensive standouts Devin White, Vita Vea, Lavonte David, and Shaquil Barrett.
