Whenever you examine this time final 12 months to now, life seems quite a bit totally different for Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield.
After all, the 2022 calendar 12 months 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, enjoying on his third workforce 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 total decide, as he was set for a quarterback competitors towards Kyle Trask at the moment final 12 months.
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 12 months and threw for 28 touchdowns to 10 interceptions whereas main the Bucs to a different NFC South title and a playoff win towards 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 12 months-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 totally different for Baker Mayfield than it was 12 months in the past.
“You’re having much more enjoyable once you’re not getting shipped off to totally different locations like a bit of soiled laundry, I’ll let you know that,” Mayfield mentioned Thursday on the Mike Calta Present. “So, once I acquired embraced in Tampa, it made a world of distinction. I’ve all the time performed ball to get pleasure from it. I imply, it’s a sport. Sure, it’s my job, however I like it 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 somewhat bit higher, really notice that’s not only a present on the sector. That’s who I’m when it comes right down to the soccer side. I like it. I’d do something for our workforce 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 shortly gained over nearly anybody and everybody related to the Bucs group, and it’s clear that being embraced by his new workforce 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, common supervisor Jason Licht and Co. re-signed Mike Evans, Antoine Winfield Jr., Lavonte David and Chase McLaughlin — the workforce’s prime 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 pleased to keep up some continuity as he and the workforce 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 mentioned concerning 2023. “Clearly getting a few of these different guys again and persevering with what we have been in a position to construct on final 12 months, it simply felt like dwelling 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 really embrace that and construct the chemistry much more.”
And whereas Tampa Bay can be trying to take down the highest canines within the NFC just like the 49ers and Lions, Mayfield and his teammates understand how vital it’s to deal with enterprise inside the NFC South first. With the Falcons including quarterback Kirk Cousins, the Saints all the time staying within the combine and the Panthers trying 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 quite a bit to dethrone him and the Bucs in 2024.
“Let’s not get it twisted,” Mayfield mentioned. “The division nonetheless runs via us.”
