Baker Mayfield Speaks After Being Named Buccaneers’ Starting Quarterback

Todd Bowles named their starting quarterback on Tuesday morning.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have their guy. Head coach Todd Bowles named former Heisman and No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield the starting quarterback of the team. 

"Baker is our starting quarterback. Kyle's No. 2," Bowles said after practice on Tuesday. "...We're excited about Baker. We like where we’re at right now."

With the team making this decision, they can operate with the understanding that Mayfield is the first-team guy, and he can receive even more first-team reps. 

"It'll be nice to get one week under our belts until it's the real thing," Mayfield said of approaching this next week as a starter.

READ MORE: Buccaneers' Quarterback Battle Most Likely Ended Against Jets

The Buccaneers play one final preseason game, coming against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.

"Now I just gotta lead like I know how," Mayfield said of receiving the news. "The real thing is right around the corner, so it's an exciting time."

"The ultimate goal is to always be playing. When you look at the big picture, it's one of those things you have to check off the box. Now it's time to really ramp it up and go from here and start winning ball games that count."

With a real direction underway, the Buccaneers and Mayfield will be able to further the on-field chemistry ahead of the team's regular-season opener against the Minnesota Vikings. 

"I feel like I was comfortable enough in the system, commanding the offense and able to hit guys in the right spots," Mayfield said. "It's not saying anything against anybody else, I just feel like I'm in good command of the offense."

With so much unknown about this season for the Buccaneers, having a close quarterback room could be important barring any changes throughout the season. If things begin to go south, the team can defer to the younger quarterback and focus on development.

READ MORE: How the Relationship Fell Apart Between Buccaneers, Kyle Trask

"Our QB room has been playing extremely well this camp between John [Wolford] and Kyle [Trask]. Everybody pushed each other. I can't say enough about those guys. The chemistry is great," Mayfield added.

Evidently, if the Buccaneers want to give themselves the best shot to win anything this season, Mayfield was always the right choice. He was an elite college football talent, and he hasn't seen any consistency in management in his NFL career, and his talent hasn't fully transferred. 

This could be a great fresh start for Mayfield, who has solid weapons to work with as he tries to jumpstart his career at 28-years-old.

Baker Mayfield speaks to the media for the first time after being named the starting quarterback in Tampa Bay. #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/aTVT9o0yKt

— Logan B. Robinson (@LogansTwitty) August 22, 2023

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READ MORE: Buccaneers Make Decision at Kicker Ahead of 2023 Season

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