Baker Mayfield Buccaneers contract: How much will Tom Brady's replacement earn in Tampa Bay?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed quarterback Baker Mayfield on Wednesday morning. This now answers the question as to whom the possible successor for Tom Brady will be.

Mayfield is likely to compete alongside third-year quarterback Kyle Trask for the starting job. But, at this point, it's probable that the Buccaneers may side with a veteran and allow Trask more time to develop.

The Buccaneers signed the 27-year-old to a one-year deal worth up to $8.5 million, depending on incentives and milestones that he could meet in the course of the contract.

Why are Buccaneers signing Baker Mayfield over other free-agent QBs?

The former first overall draft pick spent four seasons with the Cleveland Browns before he was traded to the Carolina Panthers last offseason. That didn't work out as either side would have hoped. Baker Mayfield ended up signing with the Los Angeles Rams. This was an opportunity that proved to help revitalize his career.

With starting quarterback Matthew Stafford out for the remainder of the season, the quarterback was picked up off waivers by the Rams. He immediately got to work on the field less than two days later.

While the Rams had a losing record in the last five games he started, he showed glimpses of the Browns quarterback who led the team to the playoffs.

This is one of the reasons why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be interested in signing the former Heisman Trophy winner. He is still young at 27 years old, despite recent injuries, is still mobile and has a good pocket presence.

Compared to other veteran free agent quarterbacks like Derek Carr, the Bucs were able to sign the former Browns quarterback to just a one-year deal. That makes his signing a low-risk situation.

If it doesn't work out, the Bucs aren't attached to him beyond the 2023 NFL season. It's also a small price tag for a quarterback of his calibre.

Baker Mayfield career earnings: How much money has the QB made in NFL so far?

After being drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Baker Mayfield signed a four-year deal with the Cleveland Browns. It was worth $32.68 million in guaranteed money.

Before the start of the 2022 NFL Season, the Cleveland Browns picked up the fifth-year option on the quarterback's contract, which was worth an additional $18.9 million.

When he was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams, the team picked up the remaining $1.3 million on his contract. In his five NFL seasons, he has made an estimated $60 million.