New Bucs wide receiver Sterling Shepard wasn’t expecting to get a call from Tampa Bay during this offseason. And if it wasn’t for quarterback and former Oklahoma teammate Baker Mayfield, it may not have happened.

The Bucs certainly added better depth and experience by signing Sterling Shepard. If he can tape into how he was playing before a serious knee injury, it could end up being a steal for Tampa Bay. Presumably nobody is more than happy than Baker Mayfield for getting to reunite with Shepard, who the duo helped win the 2015 Big 12 Championship for the Sooners.

Baker Mayfield Played Part In Sterling Shepard Coming To Tampa

While Mayfield plays quarterback, he also showed he can be a recruiter as well. In a conversation with NFL Insider Josina Anderson, Shepard spoke about how the conversations went on to get him in Tampa. Anderson said that Shepard was “astounded” by the news in their phone call together.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

“It’s hard not to smile right now. I wasn’t expecting this,” Shepard told Anderson. “Three days ago Baker (Mayfield) texted me asking ‘how does your body feel?’ I said, ‘I feel great. How’s the baby?’ Baker said, ‘The baby is good.’ Then Baker asked me, ‘man, you think you got one more in you?’ I said, ‘it just has to be right with everything I’ve got going on with my family because I’ve already turned done other opportunities. But I’ve been kind of thinking about it when I run outside everyday and lift.

“Plus, when I golf with Saquon (Barkley) he’s been telling me I need to quit playing around because I still got it.’ Then Baker said, ‘well have your agent reach out because I know they threw your name out around here the other day. So my agent hit them up. The Bucs wanted me to fly out the next day. Jo, I strapped my cleats on and hit that workout like I’ve been running routes all my life. The rest is history.”

Sterling Shepard Is In A “Really Good Situation”

Sterling Shepard and Baker Mayfield had a great year together in their one season at Oklahoma as a duo, teaming up for 86 catches, 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns from Shepard. Mayfield threw for 3,700 and 36 touchdowns, so Shepard was responsible for a big portion of that production.

Bucs WR Sterling Shepard – Photo by: USA Today

He’s not going to be the focal point of the Bucs’ offense because Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and others have those roles. But that doesn’t mean Shepard can’t help factor in to Tampa’s success. After all, this is a team that’s made the postseason four years in a row and won the division in their least three. In an interview with the New York Post, Shepard talked about being in the right spot,

“I’m looking forward to it,’’ Shepard said. “It’s a new scene. I can’t say I wanted to experience that, I always wanted to be a Giant but I’m not mad at it, man. It’s a really good situation, they have a really good football team, really talented football team and I get to be reunited with my boy and get to play with him a little bit. I’m excited about it. I get to play the game that I love still and get kinda like a fresh start. I’m looking to help this team in any way I can, show them what I have to offer.’’

The Bucs do happen to play against the Giants in Week 12. Is it going to be a revenge game for Shepard? We’ll see when the schedule gets closer to it.

“I did notice that,’’ Shepard said. “It’s gonna be pretty exciting. But I’m honestly in a whole different mindset right now. I’m trying to take it a day at a time and show them what I have to offer. I’m not even thinking that far ahead. It would be nice, trust me, but I’m super focused now, more than ever.’’