The New York Giants have long been regarded as one of the NFL’s best-managed franchises, but this reputation faltered during the 2023 season. Consequently, the team has faced several tough decisions, including whether to re-sign their longest-tenured player. Today, that player has officially moved on to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Read on for more details.
**Sterling Shepard Joins Tampa Bay Buccaneers**
Sterling Shepard, the New York Giants wide receiver, has signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. This move officially ends Shepard’s eight-year tenure with the Giants, during which he accumulated 4,095 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns. In 2023, Shepard was the longest-serving player on the Giants.
**Reuniting With QB Baker Mayfield**
Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield and Shepard, despite being in the NFL for six years, will play together professionally for the first time. They were teammates at Oklahoma before Shepard was drafted by the Giants in 2016. Surprisingly, their NFL paths never crossed, despite Mayfield’s stints with four different teams: the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Rams, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
At Oklahoma in 2015, Shepard had his best collegiate season with 1,288 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Since then, he has not reached 1,000 receiving yards in an NFL season.
**Future Directions for the Giants and Buccaneers**
The Giants, coming off a disappointing 2023 season, are focusing on rebuilding in 2024 with young talents like wide receivers Jalin Hyatt and Malik Nabers. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers, following a surprisingly successful 2023 season, aim to build on their momentum, providing Mayfield with a familiar target in Shepard.
