By now we all know how well Baker Mayfield has integrated into the Buccaneers after just one season in Tampa Bay. Now in his second season in the red and white, Mayfield’s leadership has reached new heights. As more and more national media and broadcasters preview the Buccaneers next season, especially in the NFC South, it becomes clearer each day what makes Mayfield so special for this team.
Mayfield’s never-give-up attitude, gritty play and will to win are key reasons he has endeared himself to his teammates. It started right away in Week 1, when the Buccaneers beat the Minnesota Vikings on the road. Late in the game, Mayfield was getting hit by a Vikings defender and charging forward to get a crucial first down. He quickly got up and said, “Put some weight on, kid!”
There are plenty of other examples that show how much Mayfield cares about winning and his teammates. Last year, he took some hard shots and was injured late in the season while still helping the Buccaneers win. He played through sore ribs and a sprained knee and was clearly not at 100% when the Buccaneers clinched the NFC South title with a 9-0 win over the Panthers in Carolina. But his presence means a lot, and that’s true sometimes with Mayfield. It’s not always pretty, but he gets the job done.
Baker Mayfield is ‘spooky’
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Former NFL Super Bowl winner and announcer Mark Schlereth previewed the Buccaneers and the NFC South on his show. “The Stinkin’ Truth Podcast” There, he revealed a great conversation he had with former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales about what makes Baker Mayfield such a likeable and decisive guy.
“I went to a couple of Tampa games last year and got to know Dave Canales, who’s now the head coach at Carolina,” Schlereth began. “One of the things he said about Baker was, ‘This guy’s incredible. He plays terrible football for a quarter and a half and you think what the hell he’s doing?’ And then at the end of the game he plays great football. When the pressure is on to play how well he does, it’s just phenomenal.’ I couldn’t be happier. I really like the guy.”
Mayfield You can play a great game He’s had some good games, like against the Packers, and some bad ones, like at home against the Saints, but he’s also shown the ability to step up when it matters, like blowing a late lead against the Texans and winning in the final seconds of a crucial game against the Falcons for the NFC South lead.
Baker Mayfield – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
Buccaneers acquire Baker
When we listen Wide Receiver It’s no surprise that Chris Godwin and right tackle Luke Goedeke talk about Baker Mayfield. He’s the leader of the offense, he gets the ball to Godwin, he handles Goedeke and the other linemen really well. Mayfield probably gets along with the offensive line better than any other position group, and he warms up with them every practice.
But when you hear it from the defensive players, you hear something very important. Defensive tackle Kalija Kansey The Jim Rome Show Mayfield’s attitude has impacted himself and his teammates this week, and throughout the full season he’s played.
“Baker’s a guy that’s willing to run through walls,” Kansey said. “He’s a guy that gives it his all. He’s very competitive and just an overall great guy. He gives to the community and he’s willing to give his last ounce of energy to anybody, anybody on his team or anybody. He’s just a tough guy. He’s a good guy.”
The entire Buccaneers team has rallied around Mayfield. Teamwork is key in football, and Tampa Bay has demonstrated that on both offense and defense. Mayfield is a key reason this team has come together and can compete for a fourth consecutive division title in 2024.
