Once you examine this time final yr to now, life appears loads completely different for Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield.
After all, the 2022 calendar yr noticed Mayfield traded from Cleveland to Carolina, then waived by Carolina midseason earlier than he was then signed by the Los Angeles Rams. That’s the place he completed out his fifth NFL season, taking part in on his third group in lower than six months.
After that tumultuous 2022 season, Mayfield signed with the Bucs in March of 2023 on the lookout for an opportunity to revive his profession. However there have been no ensures for the 2018 No. 1 general decide, as he was set for a quarterback competitors in opposition to Kyle Trask right now final yr.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
However within the 12 months since, Baker Mayfield has achieved the profession revival he was in search of when he signed with Tampa Bay in hopes of being the successor to Tom Brady. He surpassed 4,000 yards passing on the yr and threw for 28 touchdowns to 10 interceptions whereas main the Bucs to a different NFC South title and a playoff win in opposition to the Eagles.
Mayfield ended his spectacular marketing campaign in Orlando on the Professional Bowl Video games, making it for the primary time in his profession as a alternative. He then signed a three-year, $100 million contract to stay in Tampa.
So, between the Comeback Participant of the Yr-worthy season, his Professional Bowl choice, the brand new multi-year contract and, oh yeah, turning into a father for the primary time this offseason, life is way completely different for Baker Mayfield than it was 12 months in the past.
“You’re having much more enjoyable whenever you’re not getting shipped off to completely different locations like a chunk of soiled laundry, I’ll let you know that,” Mayfield stated Thursday on the Mike Calta Present. “So, once I obtained embraced in Tampa, it made a world of distinction. I’ve all the time performed ball to take pleasure in it. I imply, it’s a recreation. Sure, it’s my job, however I find it irresistible a lot.
“I’ve all the time worn my feelings on my sleeve and, so, let individuals embrace that, and that’s why I’m so excited for having extra years to return in Tampa for individuals to only get to know me a little bit bit higher, actually notice that’s not only a present on the sphere. That’s who I’m when it comes all the way down to the soccer facet. I find it irresistible. I’d do something for our group and our locker room guys know that.”
Baker Mayfield Prepared To Construct On Continuity With Bucs
It actually didn’t take lengthy for Baker Mayfield to be embraced by his Bucs teammates, in addition to Buccaneer followers and the Tampa Bay group as a complete. The previous Heisman Trophy winner rapidly received over nearly anybody and everybody related to the Bucs group, and it’s clear that being embraced by his new group made an enormous distinction to him.
Bucs WR Mike Evans and QB Baker Mayfield – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
However what’s thrilling for Mayfield, the Bucs and Tampa Bay followers is that 2023 was solely the beginning. Along with re-signing Mayfield this offseason, basic supervisor Jason Licht and Co. re-signed Mike Evans, Antoine Winfield Jr., Lavonte David and Chase McLaughlin — the group’s high free brokers. Security Jordan Whitehead was additionally re-signed after two years away to spice up the secondary.
After a 9-8, division-winning season that included a visit to the NFC Divisional Spherical, Mayfield is joyful to take care of some continuity as he and the group look to construct on their success and make a deeper run in 2024.
“I couldn’t have been happier with the way in which it labored out,” Mayfield stated concerning 2023. “Clearly getting a few of these different guys again and persevering with what we had been capable of construct on final yr, it simply felt like residence from top-down how they run it. … I’m so excited to be heading into one other season with these guys, for probably the most half the identical group, and simply actually embrace that and construct the chemistry much more.”
And whereas Tampa Bay shall be seeking to take down the highest canine within the NFC just like the 49ers and Lions, Mayfield and his teammates know the way essential it’s to deal with enterprise throughout the NFC South first. With the Falcons including quarterback Kirk Cousins, the Saints all the time staying within the combine and the Panthers seeking to construct towards a brighter future, there’s some strain on the Bucs as they appear to four-peat as division champions.
However Tampa Bay’s quarterback and captain is understandably as assured as ever, and it’ll take loads to dethrone him and the Bucs in 2024.
“Let’s not get it twisted,” Mayfield stated. “The division nonetheless runs by way of us.”
