Baker Mayfield Helped Drive Sterling Shepard Signing
June 8th, 2024
Deserved new contract.
So the Bucs’ signing of veteran receiver Sterling Shepard this week was, in small part, thanks to the fishing of the Tampa Bay quarterback.
Mayfield and Shepard were teammates at the University of Oklahoma for the 2105 season, when Shepard caught 86 balls for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Shepard told the New York Post that Mayfield is his “boy” and their recent interaction sparked the seeds of a deal with Tampa Bay.
“I got a text from my boy and I just thought it was ‘regular old checking in to see how I was doing’ type of text, because we do that from time to time to each other,’’ Shepard said Thursday. Mayfield then asked, “How does your body feel?” and “Do you think you got any more left in you?’’
Per The Post, Shepard’s agent then reached out to the Bucs’ front office.
Joe’s happy about the Shepard signing, even if he is past his prime. If nothing else, the presence of the 31-year-old Mayfield buddy should add major competition into the Trey Palmer-Jalen McMillan battle for the Bucs’ No. 3 receiver gig.
June 8th, 2024 at 5:56 pm
One of the hypotheses is that Sterling Shephard was not even seriously working out.
June 8th, 2024 at 6:20 pm
Na, that didnt happen….lol. I knew it soon as I saw it.
Bet the over people….easy money!
June 8th, 2024 at 6:38 pm
Panthers paid David Moore $1.1 mil for this season. No idea what Sterling Shepard got but I’m sure it’s at least that (being a veteran). I’ll never understand why we didn’t re-sign David Moore. His 44-yard run in the Eagles’ game for a TD was a thing of beauty.
June 8th, 2024 at 6:52 pm
I, too, liked David Moore. He’s following his cannolis.
Maybe Shep has something left – no harm in giving him a look.
June 8th, 2024 at 6:55 pm
Sterling Shepard 7 yards and a cloud of dust. First down machine! Can he still contribute? Not sure but the Bucs have been lacking someone to move the chains since Gronk left. Might be the Godwin/Shepard chain movers this year. Would be nice to sustain drives!
June 8th, 2024 at 7:08 pm
2105…Back From The Future!
June 8th, 2024 at 7:15 pm
Shepard was a really good WR, a very long time ago.
Hope he shows up and is healthy and can contribute, but at this point I’d be surprised if he makes the team.
June 8th, 2024 at 7:15 pm
Yeah, I saw the Delorean pull in the other night.
He’s worth a look…I suppose.
June 8th, 2024 at 7:23 pm
Is Julio Jones still available?? Hahaha
June 8th, 2024 at 8:33 pm
come on guys…he’s our 5th receiver rn…
with a shot to move up the depth chart…
david moore’s replacement and has a history with baker…
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@defense:
you probably already know, but moore has a good history w/ canales so he followed his path
June 8th, 2024 at 9:23 pm
I liked David Moore all the way back to training camp and though they should have used him more. Unfortunately Moore followed Canales to Carolina because he was comfortable with him. That’s the way it works in the NFL.
June 8th, 2024 at 10:16 pm
yeah seems we all liked moore. and his role increased a bit as the season wore on…
and his big play ability became pretty evident…
he seemed like a good fit – it’s a shame he bounced outta here with cantalones
June 8th, 2024 at 11:06 pm
Shepard barring injury will make the team. This move is all upside. May lose Jakim Jerret off the practice squad. The Bucs have 13 WRs currently and they’ll all pretty good. Its gonna be a fun position to watch come TC.
Shepard>Moore
And I like David Moore too. Shep looked like a solid #2 until he injured his ACL and then he did his Achilles. Not too uncommon when a player comes back too soon. I don’t think the guy still has a 41” vert but to compare him to Julio Jones Cira Bucs is not right.
June 8th, 2024 at 11:49 pm
He will not make the team
June 9th, 2024 at 12:47 am
If Falconboy says he won’t make the team, go bet the farm that he makes the team.
June 9th, 2024 at 5:40 am
I love the conversation between Mayfield and Shepard. Friendship, teamwork, and so much more. He will make the team. Go Bucs!
June 9th, 2024 at 7:19 am
This is the Tubi version of Brady calling Gronk in 2020
June 9th, 2024 at 8:28 am
😂 Thanks for the laugh this morning, Dude. Tubi version, too funny!
Although, both conversation references are pretty good and Tubi has some good movies and documentaries streamed.
June 9th, 2024 at 8:40 am
Crazy amount of press for a 4th or 5th receiver (if he makes the team)
June 9th, 2024 at 9:49 am
Baker had a hard time using the WRs he had last season, why does he need more?
June 9th, 2024 at 10:25 am
Craig Says:
Baker had a hard time using the WRs he had last season, why does he need more?
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I don’t think he does. But it’s better to have too many than not enough.
Baker and Shepard only played together for one season back in college but they had great chemistry. I can see why Baker was checking to see if Shepard had anything left in the tank.
June 9th, 2024 at 10:31 am
@defense rules
You nailed it again bro.
His TD was a thing of beauty.
He runs hard. He plays fearless. He’s stout. He’s a great #4 WR.
And I mean GREAT #4 WR. 1.1 million?
Dave Moore put up some great highlights.
I cant believe we didn’t resign him.
June 9th, 2024 at 5:37 pm
Craig Says:
June 9th, 2024 at 9:49 am
Baker had a hard time using the WRs he had last season, why does he need more?
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This is a really dumb statement. Evans and Godwin had seasons last year that were comparable to past seasons. In fact, could argue that Evans had his best season ever. As others have commented, Moore was used nicely last year as well. Just more nonsense to beat up Baker.
June 9th, 2024 at 7:14 pm
This is a very underrated signing. I always like Shepard he could just never stay healthy. Now he gets to play behind Evans and Godwin and just provide depth. I’m definitely cool with it