Sterling Shepard contemplated retirement before signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2024 campaign. Between injuries, life’s circumstances, and already having a fruitful eight-year career, retirement seemed like a realistic option for the Oklahoma City native.
But everything changed when “Shep” got the call from his college quarterback, Baker Mayfield, about teaming back up. Long story short, Shep delayed full-on dad mode and mornings on the golf course to lace ’em up again.
Last season, he was productive as a security blanket for Mayfield, pulling in 32 receptions for 334 yards in 14 games. This year, though, after signing a one-year, $2.5 million contract and going through a full offseason and training camp, something he didn’t have last year, Shepard has shown he’s got more gas in the tank than most of us expected.
Through three games, the 32-year-old has been a core receiver for Mayfield, getting off to a strong start with 11 receptions for 153 yards. That pace puts him on track for 867 yards, a number that would rival the best season of his career back in 2018 with the Giants.
Sunday’s thriller showed exactly why Bake’s recruitment of his “ole reliable” college receiver was such a win for Tampa Bay.
With Mike Evans battling a hamstring issue in the fourth quarter and rookie Emeka Egbuka gutting through hip problems, Shepard stepped up. He made big, timely plays, most notably a 20-yard catch that set up Chase McLaughlin’s game-winning 36-yard field goal to push the Bucs to 3-0.
Sunday may have been a simple turn-back-the-clock moment for Shepard, or it could be a glimpse of what he can still bring in a Bucs jersey: a productive leader who changes games with one play.
Either way, Shepard’s career is far from finished.
