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Free agent quarterback Baker Mayfield is reportedly "finalizing a deal" a one-year, $8.5 million with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, sources with knowledge of the situation told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero on Wednesday (March 15).
The #Bucs are finalizing a deal with former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield, per sources," Pelissero tweeted. "Mayfield finished his fifth NFL season strong after landing with the #Rams. Now he gets a chance to take over for Tom Brady in Tampa, and is still only 27."
On Sunday (March 12), Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported that the Bucs were "expected to target" Mayfield once free agency officially began on March 15.
The Buccaneers are currently without a starting quarterback following Tom Brady's recent retirement and Mayfield is expected to compete with Brady's former backup, Kyle Trask, for the gig.
"A huge opportunity for Baker Mayfield, who goes from the #Browns to the #Panthers to the #Rams to the #Bucs in a nine-month span -- and gets a chance to make Tampa his home," Pelissero tweeted.
The Buccaneers will be Mayfield's fourth team since July 2022. The former No. 1 overall pick was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams in December and went 1-3 in four starts for Los Angeles in 2022, throwing for 850 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions on 82 of 129 passing in five total appearances.
Mayfield was previously traded by the Cleveland Browns to the Carolina Panthers last offseason and went 1-5 in six starts for Carolina, throwing for 1,313 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions on 119 of 206 passing in seven total appearances.