Former New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard has found a new home in the NFL.
Sterling Shepard signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Shepard signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Buccaneers this offseason. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network broke the news on X on Thursday:
The Giants gave Shepard his farewell last season
Shepard fell out of the Giants’ mode of operation after the franchise drafted him to be a building block for their future back in 2016.
The former No. 40 overall pick knew his time in New York was all but up, as he communicated throughout the 2023 season. The Giants even gave him a farewell send-off in Week 18 against the Philadelphia Eagles, allowing fans to celebrate his eight-year tenure in New York.
In 2023, he produced 57 receiving yards on 10 receptions across 15 games, two of which he started last season. Shepard was not much of a factor and had a series of injuries take their toll on him over the last three seasons.
Shepard reunites with QB Baker Mayfield
Shepard now joins a Bucs team led by quarterback Baker Mayfield and a receiving corps that includes reigning Second Team All-Pro wideout Mike Evans and a fellow 1,000-yard pass-catcher in Chris Godwin, both returning to the mix. A resurgence from Shepard could position him to compete to be deployed as a WR3 in Tampa Bay in 2024, though he’ll have his work cut out for him pitted against Trey Palmer, who went for 385 REC yards a year ago.
Shepard will face the Giants for the first time when the Buccaneers play them on Nov. 24.