Bruce Arians unloaded the most well liked Baker Mayfield take you’ve ever seen

Bruce Arians mentioned that he graded Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield greater out of school than any of the prospects within the NFL Draft class.

The NFL Draft has come and gone, and the highest quarterbacks discovered their new houses. Bryce Younger was chosen first-overall to the Carolina Panthers, C.J. Stroud picked second by the Houston Texans, Anthony Richardson chosen fourth-overall by the Indianapolis Colts and Will Levis going to the Tennessee Titans thirty third total. One crew that didn’t go after a quarterback had been the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who’re transferring ahead with out Tom Brady, who retired for the second time in as a few years. The crew signed former first-overall decide Baker Mayfield to compete with Kyle Trask for the beginning quarterback job in 2023.

Bruce Arians, the previous Buccaneers head coach and present senior advisor to the overall supervisor, told Scott Reynolds of Pewter Report that he rated Mayfield popping out of Oklahoma in 2018 a lot greater than he did the highest 4 quarterback prospects on this yr’s NFL Draft.

“I can truthfully say out of those 4, I had Baker rated greater,” Arians informed Reynolds on Monday. “That’s an sincere opinion – popping out [of Oklahoma].”

Bruce Arians rated Baker Mayfield greater than 2023 NFL Draft QB prospects

And similar to that, the Panthers fanbase has bulletin board materials, particularly if Younger has a powerful rookie season within the NFC South.

Arians continued, saying that Mayfield’s tenure with the Browns didn’t go as deliberate and it shouldn’t be held in opposition to him.

“That’s not chopped liver,” Arians mentioned. “He had a troublesome time taking part in harm and issues didn’t work in Cleveland. That occurs to numerous guys. Timmy Sofa was no bust. Timmy Sofa received damaged the hell up in Cleveland. I coached him. Helluva participant.”

Mayfield did have a powerful first yr with the Browns, setting the rookie passing landing file with 27. In Mayfield’s third yr, he helped lead the Browns to their first playoff berth since 2002 and their first playoff win since 1994. However in 2021, Mayfield performed by means of a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder, which hindered his play.

To start out off final season, Mayfield was traded to the Panthers months after the Browns acquired Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans. Mayfield performed seven video games (six begins) for the Panthers, throwing for 1,313 yards, six touchdowns and 9 interceptions whereas finishing 57.8-percent of his passes. He was waived late within the season, and was claimed shortly by the Los Angeles Rams. Mayfield shined in Sean McVay’s offense, recording 850 passing yards, 4 passing touchdowns and two interceptions on a 63.6 completion proportion.

Mayfield signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Buccaneers.

Arians is clearly assured in Mayfield’s skills. Now it will likely be a matter of if he can beat Trask by means of coaching camp. As for the NFC South, it’s huge open, and it will likely be a matter of if Mayfield of the Buccaneers, Younger of the Panthers, Derek Carr of the New Orleans Saints or Desmond Ridder of the Atlanta Falcons will lead their crew to a divisional title.