Bucs GM ‘Breaks The Story’ On Baker Mayfield-Friendly Signing

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been continuing the business of re-signing their own. ... with one recent move serving as being arguably the most Baker Mayfield-friendly one of all.

There is talent and there is fit.

This one had it all.

After bringing back familiar names like Kyle Trask, Chris Godwin, Anthony Nelson and Ben Bredeson, general manager Jason Licht announced on X on Friday that the team was also bringing back wideout Sterling Shepard.

The Bucs have agreed to terms with WR Sterling Shepard on a 1 year deal, per source. @FifthThird@OU_Football@Scoop_A1

— Jason Licht (@jasonrlicht) March 14, 2025

Licht broke the story! Fun stuff.

The GM and his staff were busy in the first week of free agency. ... and that labor continued through the NFL Draft, when the Bucs selected two more receivers.

Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka is the first pick.

Oregon's Tez Johnson is the last pick.

And yes, that wideout room is getting crowded.

The fact that Licht tagged @OU_Football in his announcement shows the close connection Shepard has with Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield as the two were college teammates with the Sooners.

Last season, Shepard began the season on the Bucs' practice squad but quickly worked his way up to the active roster in Week 5. Just two weeks later, Godwin suffered his season-ending injury, and Shepard's role expanded even more.

The Giants' second-round pick in 2016 caught 32 passes for 334 yards and a touchdown and added another 69 yards on eight carries on the ground.

Shepard played 90 games across eight seasons in New York with 74 starts, catching 404 passes for 4,429 yards and 24 scores while averaging almost 63 catches per year over the first five seasons before injuries started catching up with him.

He is No. 5 on the Giants' all-time receptions leader list.

And he's a Baker guy ... but in a crowded room.