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Baker Mayfield Gets His Men

March 14th, 2025

Sage of Tampa Bay Sports Ira Kaufman likes to say one thing in particular about the 2025 edition of Baker Mayfield.

“He’s callin’ a lot of shots at One Buc.”

That may be a bit of hyperbole, but there’s plenty of truth to it. Mayfield got his offensive coordinator for the second consecutive season, and he got Chris Godwin back along with today’s news of receiver Sterling Shepard re-signing. And don’t forget Mayfield’s starting line is intact, though key O-line backups and Mayfield friends have left the building Robert Hainsey (Jacksonville) and Justin Skule (Minnesota).

Shepard, 32, was Mayfield’s college teammate and buddy at Oklahoma. He was drafted by the Giants and became a fan favorite up there, and he also was known for his supermodel ex-wife.

After various injuries, “Shep” was on the couch with no team last spring when Mayfield called him to see if he wanted a dance — a last dance? — with the Bucs.

He did.

Shepard got hurt in training camp and didn’t make the Bucs’ 53-man roster, but he was willing to play for practice squad money and got promoted quickly. Shepard finished with 32 catches for 334 yards with handful of big plays and stupid penalties.

The latter drove fans crazy, but there is no denying Shepard is a very solid option as a No. 5(ish) receiver.

He’ll compete with Trey Palmer and Todd Bowles-fave Rakim Jarrett for a spot behind Mike Evans, Godwin and Jalen McMillan.

Bowles talked about personally scouting receivers at the NFL Scouting Combine, though Joe is dubious after today’s Shepard signing and Godwin’s chatter about hard practice this August.

Joe agrees with Kaufman that Mayfield has a very heavy hand in a lot of things on his side of the ball. He should. He’s a young franchise quarterback the Bucs hope has at least another five seasons in Tampa.