Baker Mayfield Thankful To Be “Embraced” In Tampa

When you compare this time last year to now, life looks a lot different for Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Of course, the 2022 calendar year saw Mayfield traded from Cleveland to Carolina, then waived by Carolina midseason before he was then signed by the Los Angeles Rams. That’s where he finished out his fifth NFL season, playing on his third team in less than six months.

After that tumultuous 2022 season, Mayfield signed with the Bucs in March of 2023 looking for a chance to revive his career. But there were no guarantees for the 2018 No. 1 overall pick, as he was set for a quarterback competition against Kyle Trask at this time last year.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

But in the 12 months since, Baker Mayfield has accomplished the career revival he was seeking when he signed with Tampa Bay in hopes of being the successor to Tom Brady. He surpassed 4,000 yards passing on the year and threw for 28 touchdowns to 10 interceptions while leading the Bucs to another NFC South title and a playoff win against the Eagles.

Mayfield ended his impressive campaign in Orlando at the Pro Bowl Games, making it for the first time in his career as a replacement. He then signed a three-year, $100 million contract to remain in Tampa.

So, between the Comeback Player of the Year-worthy season, his Pro Bowl selection, the new multi-year contract and, oh yeah, becoming a father for the first time this offseason, life is much different for Baker Mayfield than it was 365 days ago.

“You’re having a lot more fun when you’re not getting shipped off to different places like a piece of dirty laundry, I’ll tell you that,” Mayfield said Thursday on the Mike Calta Show. “So, when I got embraced in Tampa, it made a world of difference. I’ve always played ball to enjoy it. I mean, it is a game. Yes, it is my job, but I love it so much.

“I’ve always worn my emotions on my sleeve and, so, let people embrace that, and that’s why I’m so excited for having more years to come in Tampa for people to just get to know me a little bit better, truly realize that’s not just a show on the field. That’s who I am when it comes down to the football aspect. I love it. I’d do anything for our team and our locker room guys know that.”

Baker Mayfield Ready To Build On Continuity With Bucs

It really didn’t take long for Baker Mayfield to be embraced by his Bucs teammates, as well as Buccaneer fans and the Tampa Bay community as a whole. The former Heisman Trophy winner quickly won over just about anyone and everyone associated with the Bucs organization, and it’s clear that being embraced by his new team made a huge difference to him.

Bucs WR Mike Evans and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

But what’s exciting for Mayfield, the Bucs and Tampa Bay fans is that 2023 was only the start. In addition to re-signing Mayfield this offseason, general manager Jason Licht and Co. re-signed Mike Evans, Antoine Winfield Jr., Lavonte David and Chase McLaughlin — the team’s top free agents. Safety Jordan Whitehead was also re-signed after two years away to boost the secondary.

After a 9-8, division-winning season that included a trip to the NFC Divisional Round, Mayfield is happy to maintain some continuity as he and the team look to build on their success and make a deeper run in 2024.

“I couldn’t have been happier with the way it worked out,” Mayfield said regarding 2023. “Obviously getting some of those other guys back and continuing what we were able to build on last year, it just felt like home from top-down how they run it. … I’m so excited to be heading into another season with these guys, for the most part the same group, and just truly embrace that and build the chemistry even more.”

And while Tampa Bay will be looking to take down the top dogs in the NFC like the 49ers and Lions, Mayfield and his teammates know how important it is to take care of business within the NFC South first. With the Falcons adding quarterback Kirk Cousins, the Saints always staying in the mix and the Panthers looking to build toward a brighter future, there’s some pressure on the Bucs as they look to four-peat as division champions.

But Tampa Bay’s quarterback and captain is understandably as confident as ever, and it’ll take a lot to dethrone him and the Bucs in 2024.

“Let’s not get it twisted,” Mayfield said. “The division still runs through us.”