When Baker Mayfield spoke after the second day of Bucs’ mandatory mini-camp, everyone wanted to know about his thoughts about his former Oklahoma teammate Sterling Shepard signing with Tampa Bay and the role he played in making that happen.

Shepard had mentioned the day before a text conversation he had with Mayfield that ultimately led to him getting a tryout. Mayfield didn’t highlight his part as a major involvement in Shepard coming to Tampa.

Bucs’ Showing More Trust In Baker Mayfield

Bucs QBs coach Thad Lewis and QBs Kyle Trask, Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Obviously just checking in with him,” Baker Mayfield said about the addition of veteran wide receiver Sterling Shepard.  “I didn’t know they were going to pull the trigger on a tryout the next day, I had no idea. Once they got him in, he did the rest. He’s a good enough player to make it here, bringing in competition like that is always good for everybody. He knows he’s got to handle his business just to make this team. We’ve got a good team and just having better skill groups is going to push everybody around him.”

While Mayfield might be downplaying it, this does show an increasing amount of faith the Bucs have in him. The organization clearly values his opinion to get his thoughts on a player they are interested. Obviously this time around it helps given his history with Shepard.

Typically star quarterbacks will have some input in certain roster moves that help the offensive side of the ball. That was evident in former Bucs quarterback Tom Brady wanting the team to trade for his Patriots teammate Rob Gronkowski, in addition to signing free agent running back Leonard Fournette and free agent wide receiver Antonio Brown – all during the 2020 season.

Now Mayfield is playing a part in the Bucs’ offseason roster construction with the addition of Shepard.

“Just having some guys down I think helps that cause, having some openings,” Mayfield said. “You talk to those guys (front office) frequently, especially during game weeks when we’re doing scouting reports and all that. Just having a good relationship with those guys that we’re all on the same page. But ultimately they call their shots and my job is to play football and do it at a high level. So just trusting them and they trust me and my opinion on what type of guys he (Shepard) is, and they’ll evaluate the talent.”

Baker Mayfield’s Plans During The Break

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

Now that the mandatory mini-camp is over and the team is on break until training camp begins on July 23 when the players report. Players approach this break differently. Some like to recharge their batteries a bit while others stick to their program to keep them in rhythm for when practice resumes.

Baker Mayfield detailed what his break is going to look like and how he will approach it.

“I’ve always been a firm believer with this break, take a little bit of time off, get away from it for a little bit, obviously making sure you’re still in shape but enjoying your time off,” Mayfield said.

“It is a long season, a long grind. Workouts, a couple of vacations sprinkled in here and there, but then just dialing it back down once it comes time to get closer to camp. Just reviewing with those guys and getting back here. The biggest thing for anybody coming down here for training camp is how hot it is, so coming back, getting re-acclimated in this heat. Working out outside, running outside, so take a little time off and get used to it again.”