Baker Mayfield, who is vying for the Bucks to start his quarterback job in 2023, is looking for the long-term stability that has eluded him at several points in his college and NFL life and football career. .
During this period, he was put in many difficult situations and may not have been able to overcome the challenges at hand. By officially becoming a buccaneer, he aims to write the latest chapter of his story. It’s been published, scrutinized, and criticized. Because he’s been trying to prove critics wrong everywhere, right up to his high school years.
Baker Mayfield made the most of a difficult situation
In high school, Mayfield continued to live in “probably eight different apartments” during her senior year.Around YNK podcast He spent a year at Texas Tech in 2013 before becoming a three-star recruit moving to his favorite team growing up, Oklahoma. The only problem was that he missed the 2014 season due to transfer issues and was unable to play until the 2015 season.
Former Browns QB Baker Mayfield and Browns CB Denzel Ward – Photo Credit: USA Today
When he qualified to play, Mayfield continued his historic college career capped with the Heisman Trophy-winning 2017 season. By most accounts, his entry into the NFL looked like a way to find a long-term home.
His first home was the Cleveland Browns after being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He would inherit the Browns quarterback position preceded by DeSean Kaiser and Kevin Hogan. Hogan led a historically bad 0-16 roster who put up only 14.6 points per game and gave up 25.6 points.
It took “Draft Day”A style roster makeover to give the Browns a playoff win after three seasons in 2020.
To illustrate how historic this has been for the lower-ranking franchise, this has been since January 1, 1995, when the team was coached by Bill Belichick and quarterbacked by former Bucks first overall pick Vinnie Testaverde. It would be their first playoff victory.
From 1999 to 2022 the team will 34 Quarterbacks – 34! In that time frame, only two quarterbacks started all 16 games in either of those seasons: Tim Couch (1999) and Mayfield (2019 and 2020) . That’s all there is to stability.
500 record (29-30) in four seasons with the Browns, after Mayfield had an inefficient year suffering from a partially torn Rubrum in 2021. The team has decided to transfer.
This led to the team making a bold move to trade DeShawn Watson while Mayfield was still on the roster, making them feel “disrespected” by the organization. In that YNK his podcast appearance, he talked a lot about the situation.
Bucks QB Baker Mayfield – Photo Credit: USA Today
“I’m just looking for stability right now,” Mayfield said at the time. “I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m not nervous…I’m going to try to control what I can control. I’m going to try to influence as many people as possible.”
He went on to add: “I’m ready for the next chapter, the next opportunity.
His decision to sign with the Bucks and the situation he finds himself in is very similar to what it was then. After cameo appearances in Carolina and Los Angeles, he’s guaranteed to appear in this chapter in Tampa Bay for his entire year. His first press conference with local media reflected many of the same thoughts.
Baker Mayfield has grown so far
Speaking on Monday, Baker Mayfield addressed a number of topics surrounding his arrival.about the reason he chooses to sign with Bucks.how his character fits why the meaning is Successor to Tom Brady. This all goes back to the journey he has taken to get to this point.
“I’ve grown a lot,” Mayfield said Monday. “I am grateful for everything that has happened along the way that has brought me to where I am today.
Getting here has never been an easy road. His career has already had many ups and downs. This includes his burst onto the scene as a rookie finishing second in the Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, and his 2020 season, which was his most efficient year.
Meanwhile, there was a 2019 season in which he struggled and threw 21 interceptions. In 2021, he battled injuries throughout his final season with the Browns and has never looked like he used to. His stints with the Panthers and Rams last season were his nadir in terms of performance and perception.
Bucs QB Kyle Trask – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
All this can be said to be a journey that put Mayfield to the test. He has experience winning his first job, losing it, being charged a waiver, and leading a game-winning drive a few days later.
If anyone has the perspective and knowledge needed to compete with Kyle Trask, it’s him. Whether he wins the job or not, Mayfield is looking to lead while enjoying what lies ahead, the competition and all.
“Wrong [on his journey]Mayfield said. “What I have noticed most about him this past year is, ‘How can I support what I do best?’ It is a great leader, contagious, energetic and , to help people, even when you’re not playing.”
He’s certainly rubbed people the wrong way with his sometimes cocky demeanor in the past, but as much as the Bucks are looking for a rookie to improve their 8-9 regular season record. , Mayfield sounded like a player looking for a fresh start. Anything that puts them in a position to compete with what should remain the hotly contested NFC South.
“I’ve played a lot of ball, so I’ve seen a fair amount,” Mayfield said. This is the dream I’m living in. Why don’t you enjoy it? Now I want to fight and I want to win.”
Will the Bucs deal give Baker Mayfield his best shot?
The big question remains whether he can win his first job, but will Bucs give him the best shot at success he’s ever had? In many ways, the answer is yes. is.
Bucks QB Baker Mayfield – Photo: Matt Matera/PR
This is a Bucks roster with many of its Super Bowl-winning cores intact on both sides of the ball. Sure, the team lacks a major veteran of his players, and some skills are lacking in his position, but much of the leadership and productivity remains.
In terms of roster components, many of them are still well placed. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Tristan Wirfs, Vita Vea, Lavonte David, Devin White, Carlton Davis III, Jamel Dean and Antoine Winfield Jr. are the most prominent members of that group.
This collection of talent is arguably the best Mayfield has brought to the team in his career and should excite both him and the fans. This is your chance to get the stability you’ve been missing. If this next year proves to be a revival, Tampa Bay could finally be where Mayfield can call home on a long-term contract extension.
“I think whenever you look at quarterbacks who have had a lot of success, you see the consistency they had,” he said. Eight Different head coaches in 6 NFL seasons. “Unfortunately, I haven’t experienced it, but that’s not all. I’m not playing the best I can. increase.”
