Baker Mayfield revitalized his career in just one season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he led them to an NFC South title and Wild Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
This all came a year after he flopped with the Carolina Panthers and finished the 2022 season with the Los Angeles Rams.
Questions about Mayfield’s NFL career circled after he signed a one-year prove-it deal with the Buccaneers, and he was rewarded for his efforts with the Pro Football Writers of America’s “Most Improved Player of the Year” award for the 2023 season.
Hamlin selected PFWA 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year; Mayfield named NFL Most Improved Player of the Year:https://t.co/oPAz8bAT0i pic.twitter.com/rpr4IyZ7jv
— Pro Football Writers (@PFWAwriters) January 26, 2024
The next step for Mayfield is to sign another deal – either with the Buccaneers or elsewhere.
It would make sense for Tampa Bay to re-sign Mayfield after he proved capable of running an offense with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Rachaad White, but the Buccaneers just lost first-year offensive coordinator Dave Canales to the Panthers head coaching job.
Mayfield could have his pick of NFL teams interested in bringing in a still-young quarterback, but it’s hard to say what kind of contract he’ll command after he flamed out with the Cleveland Browns and Panthers over the previous two seasons.
The Buccaneers proved to be the best fit in 2023, so it’s up to Todd Bowles and Tampa Bay’s front office to decide Mayfield’s value in their system now with the NFC South still a very winnable division in the conference.
The Panthers and Atlanta Falcons added two new head coaches as well, so it remains to be seen how much competition the Buccaneers will have to defend their title.
The post Baker Mayfield Wins Notable Award After Big Season appeared first on The Cold Wire.