4 ripple effects of the Bucs naming Baker Mayfield starting quarterback

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have their starting quarterback.

The job belongs to veteran Baker Mayfield, as the team announced on Tuesday. But, we already knew that, didn't we?

Now, it's time to shift focus toward the regular season.

With Mayfield being given this opportunity, there will be both short and long-term ripple effects. Let's highlight a few of them, beginning with the most important one, right now.

1. The Bucs have their identity and the distraction is in the rear view

Not everyone would call a quarterback competition a "distraction," but if we're all being honest with ourselves, it certainly is. The most important position on your football team is not set in stone and does not yet have a direction; what else would you call it?

Now that Mayfield is firmly in the driver's seat, it's only forward from here for the Bucs. The entire team can rest knowing the team has their identity and the decision has been made. The last thing the Bucs want after seeing Tom Brady retire is for the position to come under scrutiny, for controversy to stir and for the team to lack direction or identity.

Mayfield has his job, and he's historically a competitor and a winner. Let's see what the guy can do with this chance Tampa has given him.