Sterling Shepard openly admits joining Baker Mayfield's Buccaneers was not his favorite option

Sterling Shepard is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, but the wide receiver is not yet done as he joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. According to The New York Post, via Pro Football Talk, Shepard hoped to live out his entire career with the New York Giants as his top, and by definition, his favorite option.

In other words, Shepard used the option "preferred before all others of the same kind," to use the definition provided by Oxford Languages via Google.

His favorite option didn't become a reality by taking the job in Tampa Bay. Pro Football Talk's article by Michael David Smith claimed "his preference would have been to finish his career with the Giants." However, that didn't come to pass. Here's how Sterling Shepard explained it, via the New York Post:

“I’m looking forward to it. 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.”

Drafted in 2016, the wide receiver has seen parts of the Eli Manning era and the entirety of the Daniel Jones era up to this season. His best season in the NFL came in 2018, when he caught 66 passes for 872 yards. He has often managed to procure at least 500 yards, but in recent years, he has had trouble producing any significant numbers.

After back-to-back seasons of 154 and 57 yards, per Pro Football Reference, the Giants decided it was time to move on. However, a text conversation between Mayfield and the wide receiver led to a conversation between the team and the pass catcher. Now, the two have joined forces.

Sterling Shepard rejoins former college teammate Baker Mayfield

NFL: Pro Bowl-NFC at AFC, Courtesy of Nathan Ray Seebeck, USA TODAY Sports

Despite Sterling Shepard's late-stage career, the wide receiver now has an opportunity to catch passes from his former college quarterback. The two shared a roster in 2015 with Oklahoma.

In that season, per Sports Reference, Baker Mayfield threw for 36 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Shepard, meanwhile, earned 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns. It was clear that the two had chemistry and still communicate to this day.

Now, maintaining that relationship may pay dividends on the 2024 gridiron. Will 31-year-old Sterling Shepard see a renaissance with his former quarterback?

If any of the above quotes are used, credit the New York Post, Pro Football Talk, and H/T Sportskeeda.