04 August 2023 , 16:54
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Baker Mayfield has been urged to retire by NFL analyst Colin Cowherd.
Mayfield - who endured a difficult day early on at training camp - has been busy getting ready for his first season with the Bucs, after signing with the franchise during the off season. In the process, Mayfield replaces NFL legend Tom Brady who retired for a second time following a 23-year career in February.
Prior to signing for the Bucs, the 2018 No.1 overall pick had been with the Los Angeles Rams before leaving as a free agent. After four seasons with the Cleveland Browns, Mayfield moved to the Carolina Panthers in 2022, only for it to last a few months before signing for the Rams.
Now Mayfield is with his third team in a little over a year, and is following in the footsteps of one of the greatest players ever to play to sport in Brady. He will be competing with Kyle Trask for the starting QB spot in Tampa, who was the No.64 overall pick in the 2021 Draft.
However, Cowherd believes this offseason is the time for Mayfield to retire from the sport, despite only competing in the league for five years. The NFL analyst has sent a message to the Bucs quarterback, urging him to call time on his career and switch to the world of broadcasting.
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Cowherd said on his Youtube show, The Herd: "I'd like to be Baker Mayfield's agent and I'm going to tell him at 28 years old, retire, save your brand and go to college football and be an analyst. You'll be able to make seven figures.
“I just saw a story this morning where Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask - it's a battle to see who will start at quarterback. It's time to retire.
"You lead the NFL in interceptions since you entered it. You're not a franchise quarterback.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed quarterback Baker Mayfield on a one-year deal in March (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)“You've never grown out of the chutzpah and the tough guy thing. And like Tim Tebow or Cam Newton, he's just too relevant to be a backup."
The Bucs signed Mayfield to a one-year contract worth $8.5 million (£6.6 million) in March, so the player himself will not be in a hurry to call it quits on his playing career. The work is already underway for the start of the 2023 NFL regular season.
Pre-season training will include friendly games against the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets and the Baltimore Ravens. That is all the build-up to the Week One opener versus the Minnesota Vikings.