The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed wide receiver Sterling Shepard, the team announced on Monday.
According to reports, it’s a one-year deal.
Last season, the eight-year veteran, who played with Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield at Oklahoma, had only 10 receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown in 15 games.
Shepard said the following to NFL Insider Josina Anderson:
“It’s hard not to smile right now,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting this. Three days ago, Baker (Mayfield) texted me asking ‘how does your body feel?’ I said, ‘I feel great. How’s the baby?’ Baker said, ‘The baby is good.’ Then Baker asked me, ‘Man, you think you got one more in you?’ I said, ‘It just has to be right with everything I’ve got going on with my family because I’ve already turned down other opportunities. But I’ve been kind of thinking about it when I run outside every day and lift. Plus, when I golf with Saquon (Barkley) he’s been telling me I need to quit playing around because I still got it.’ Then Baker said, ‘Well, have your agent reach out because I know they threw your name out around here the other day,’ so my agent hit them up.
“The Bucs wanted me to fly out the next day. Jo, I strapped my cleats on and hit that workout like I’ve been running routes all my life. The rest is history.” Shepard added, “I’m so happy right now. I get to be with my brother again. Before this, I was in full daddy mode, but we got the contract done, and now I’ll get back in Tampa Sunday for mandatory camp on Monday.”
The 31-year-old has appeared in 90 career games, all with the Giants, making 74 starts and totaling 372 receptions for 4,095 yards and 23 receiving touchdowns. He received PFWA All-Rookie Team recognition in 2016 after posting 65 receptions for 683 yards and a career-high eight receiving touchdowns. Shepard concluded his time in New York, ranking fifth all-time in franchise history in receptions.
Shepard, who battled injuries over the last few seasons, is determined to show he can still be productive in the NFL, and he’ll get an opportunity in Tampa Bay.
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