The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense has started to click at just the right time, and one of the biggest reasons is something you can’t measure with a stopwatch or stat sheet: chemistry. Specifically, the kind that’s been brewing for nearly a decade between quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Sterling Shepard.
Their connection didn’t start in Tampa-it goes all the way back to Norman, Oklahoma. Back in 2015, Mayfield was stepping into the spotlight as the Sooners’ new starting quarterback, and Shepard was the go-to target in a high-powered offense. The two lit it up that season, with Shepard putting up 86 catches, 1,288 yards, and 11 touchdowns-numbers that helped earn him first-team All-American honors and a second-round selection by the New York Giants in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Fast forward to 2024, and Shepard’s now in Tampa Bay, reunited with his old college quarterback. And according to Shepard, it didn’t take long for that old chemistry to resurface.
“It's almost like we never missed a beat,” Shepard said in a recent interview. “Baker brings so much juice to the huddle.
His energy, his leadership-it’s contagious. You’ve got to be locked in on every snap because he’s never out of a play.”
That mindset-never giving up on a play, always looking to extend it-has defined Mayfield throughout his NFL journey. It’s also what makes him such a demanding and inspiring presence for his teammates. Shepard emphasized that when the initial route breaks down, you better keep working, because Mayfield will still be looking for a way to make something happen.
“It’s great having a quarterback like that,” Shepard said. “Not just because of the energy he brings, but because of the grit he plays with. Everybody respects that.”
That grit and chemistry have become even more crucial as the Bucs navigate a critical stretch of the season. While the team came up short in Atlanta last week, the offense showed real signs of life, putting up 28 points and looking far more in sync than in recent weeks.
A big part of that resurgence? The return of Mike Evans to the lineup. The veteran wideout’s presence opens things up for everyone else, including Shepard, who’s carving out a valuable role in this offense.
With the regular season winding down and playoff hopes still very much alive, Tampa Bay needs every weapon firing. The Mayfield-Shepard connection might not be the flashiest storyline in the league, but it’s quietly becoming one of the Bucs’ most reliable offensive sparks. If they can keep building on that chemistry-and keep getting key pieces like Evans back in rhythm-this team could be a tough out when it matters most.