Bucs' Mayfield not trying to imitate Brady: 'I'm going to be me'

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield isn't focused on trying to replace Tom Brady after signing with Tampa Bay.

"Listen, I'm never going to be Tom Brady," Mayfield said during his introductory press conference Monday. "There's a reason why he's won so many Super Bowls. He's the greatest of all time, there's no doubt about that. I'm not going to try to be Tom. I'm going to be me. That's what's gotten me to this point."

Following Brady's retirement in February, the Buccaneers agreed to terms on a one-year, $8.5-million contract with Mayfield. The former No.1 overall pick will compete with Kyle Trask for the starting job.

Brady led the Bucs to three consecutive postseason berths and the Super Bowl LV title. He also led the NFL with 5,316 yards and 43 touchdowns during the 2021 season. The seven-time Super Bowl champion went 32-18 in Tampa Bay.

The Bucs struggled in Brady's final campaign, posting an 8-9 mark before being ousted by the Dallas Cowboys during the wild-card round.

However, Mayfield said he chose Tampa Bay because he wanted to go to a franchise that was "stable" and knows how to win.

"I want to go somewhere that we can win right away, and this is that place," he said.

The Bucs are Mayfield's fourth NFL team. The 27-year-old split the 2022 season playing for both the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams.

Mayfield served as the Browns' starter from 2018 to 2021. Cleveland dealt him after acquiring Deshaun Watson.

The Oklahoma product has started 69 of his 72 career games and passed for 16,288 yards, 102 touchdowns, and 64 interceptions while posting an 86.5 passer rating.

Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.