NFL insider: Tampa Bay Buccaneers expected to target Rams free agent QB Baker Mayfield

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are making their interest in a veteran quarterback known following Tom Brady‘s retirement. Although the Bucs drafted Kyle Trask in the second round in 2021, the team is reportedly expected to target free agent quarterback Baker Mayfield in just a few days time.

“When free agency begins, the #Bucs are expected to target ex-#Rams QB Baker Mayfield as a potential starting QB option, per me and @MikeGarafolo,” Rapoport tweeted on Sunday. “This could be competition for Kyle Trask, their former 2nd-round pick, who the team likes a lot. As TB plots life without Tom Brady…”

“They have a few guys they’ll check in on but Baker Mayfield could wind up making the most sense from a fit and financial standpoint,” NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo added.

The former No. 1 overall pick out of Oklahoma in the 2018 NFL Draft, Mayfield spent four seasons with the Cleveland Browns. The Browns made it clear they were moving on to Deshaun Watson before trading him to the Carolina Panthers ahead of the 2022 season.

Mayfield played seven games for the Panthers before the team released him in December. He threw for 1,313 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions.

One day after his release from Carolina, the Rams claimed the former Sooner. Mayfield played five games for the Rams, starting four of them. He threw for 850 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in that span.

More on the 2023 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2023 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 15. At that time, contracts running through 2022 officially run out, making those players free agents.

Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 7. Beginning March 13 through March 15 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office.

April 21 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 26, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits.