More “Better Than Tom Brady” Chatter For Baker Mayfield
December 19th, 2023
“Do you believe what these big names are saying, Julio? By the way, your Eagles stink.”
Put the apples next to the apples and this is what you have.
Through 14 games this season, Baker Mayfield has been an upgrade from Tom Brady.
Add Pat McAfee, the former Pro Bowl punter and current ESPN host to the list. Remember, McAfee knows the quarterback position. He was the Colts’ emergency quarterback behind Peyton Manning when Bucco Bruce Arians was in the Colts’ building.
“Compared to Tom Brady at this time last season, Baker Mayfield has more yards per attempt, a better touchdown-to-interception ratio, a higher QBR and a better record. This guy’s playing better than Tom Brady, ok,” McAfee told his huge audience yesterday. “Maybe it’s not [Packers defensive coordinator] ‘Joe Barry is the problem.’ Maybe Baker Mayfield had all the answers.”
ESPN co-host A.J. Hawk, the former Packers linebacker, seemed on board. He talked about how well Mayfield worked the seams against Green Bay and made precision throws.
NFL Network icon Rich Eisen made the “better than Brady” case yesterday, as well. Joe’s written it many times here. Shame on those Bucs fans who blasted Sage Ira Kaufman for going there a week ago.
As of today, yes, Mayfield has been an upgrade to Brady.
Think about it. Does Mayfield have better weapons than Brady did last season? No. A better offensive line? No. A better running game? The Bucs still rank last in the league in yards per carry, as they did last year.
Mayfield certainly doesn’t have a better defense, yet the offense has been better. And Mayfield is in a new offense on a new team. Brady was in his third Tampa season with a complete mastery of the system.
December 19th, 2023 at 9:42 am
Well this should trigger a few hundred comments! “Fan engagement”
December 19th, 2023 at 9:49 am
He has been better than Brady in his last season only. But he does have a better o line and a better OC as well. But I don’t argue the point
December 19th, 2023 at 9:56 am
Sometimes I can´t beleive the stupid comparisons journalists make.
JOurnalism use to be something serious, now is a show business, looking for clicks and likes……That´s why guys like McAfee and the Steve A Smith and Florio make tha knid of money, is just about stupidity and showbiss…
Comparing TB12 last year with Mayfield today is just plain stupidity.
December 19th, 2023 at 10:01 am
“Comparing TB12 last year with Mayfield today is just plain stupidity.”
Perhaps but it’s about more than a simple Mayfield-Brady comparison. Let’s face nobody here, not even Baker himself, can believe he can hold Tom Brady’s jock, in Tom’s prime.
This is really about “sports drama”. Brady lost last year before the season even started. It was sad to see a legend stay one year too long. It happens more frequently than it doesn’t. Hard to walk away!
The beautfy for Tampa fans is we got to see Brady at his very best, the peak of his storied career with that 7th SB. Then a year of mediocrity followed by last seasons debacle.
December 19th, 2023 at 10:02 am
Let’s keep it real. We beat the Panthers, Falcons, and Packers during this win streak. And the Packers just lost to the Giants ALONG with the Falcons just losing to the Panthers. With that being said, we have a significant chance of losing 2 of the next three games.
December 19th, 2023 at 10:04 am
The OL is better in ’23 than ’22, but is still weak in the middle.
I can’t argue the results.
Plus Canales > Flat Brim, like chuck > gristle.
It just took a while to get there.
December 19th, 2023 at 10:06 am
It is a waste of time and energy comparing the two quarterbacks. Brady won the bucs a Superbowl, Baker has won 7 games. What’s to compare? Different team this year from last year. Comparisions are completely useless.
December 19th, 2023 at 10:06 am
@ ZZBucs…Agreed!!
December 19th, 2023 at 10:06 am
Stop with this better than Brady sh!t.
December 19th, 2023 at 10:07 am
@stpetebucfan…
Couldn´t agree more with your view…
December 19th, 2023 at 10:08 am
Julio just stealing money up here in the Delaware valley. Hopefully he’s eating all the good food. Bro is stealing money!
December 19th, 2023 at 10:11 am
I totally agree baker is a clear upgrade. The Goat was on the decline and retired a year too late. Some of you can’t seem to accept the truth. He is the goat but was terrible last year both can be true. We can’t blame it on the OC if we give Brady credit for the offense when we won the Superbowl. If we give him the credit we have to place the blame at his feet for the terrible offense last year. Baker is a good QB and has shown he can play at a high level and win playoff games in the league. For all of you who say Baker’s not the problem but he’s not the answer, may have to come up,with a new motto
December 19th, 2023 at 10:13 am
If you want to compare Mayfield’s 2023 numbers to Brady’s 2022 numbers, fine. But qualify the statement by noting Brady was 45 years old and in his last year of playing. Otherwise, it’s apples and oranges and silly to try to compare Mayfield to Brady.
December 19th, 2023 at 10:20 am
Byron Leftwich was best member of the opposing teams defense against bucs offense last year.
December 19th, 2023 at 10:26 am
” Shame on those Bucs fans who blasted Sage Ira Kaufman for going there a week ago.”
They have not a darn thing to be ashamed of. Very few posters here are bigger Mayfield fans than I am and even I detested the title of the piece as click baity.
Brady is the GOAT and won tampa a Super Bowl. That deserves a little respect of adding a word or two for context. It easily could have read Better Than Expected, Better Than Tom Brady Last Year
Only a very casual fan or one totally out of touch would assume the headline referred to a Mayfield-Brady comparison that had anything to do with beyond 2023-2022. –Joe
but somebody decided on a more sensational click baity title. I’m pretty sure in the years to come should Ira not be plugged in his final year and then retires this blog is going to claim the new writer is Better than IRa ( with no qualifier or context)
extend the same respect to Brady
December 19th, 2023 at 10:29 am
No S*&%t Mayfield is playing Better. Brady was not very good last year. I dont why droves of fans thought he was. LOL
December 19th, 2023 at 10:29 am
This from the same guy who called Winston America’s QB.
Mindless nonsense from a spineless fraction of a man.
Wake us up when Baker hoists a trophy.
December 19th, 2023 at 10:31 am
Baker is better than last year’s Brady thus far……but Brady had deal with Byron.
That’s just not fair.
December 19th, 2023 at 10:31 am
I think Mayfield is in a better offense. While I do think fathertime was rapidly catching up to Brady. I feel the Leftwich led offense relied way too much on guys winning at the top of routes. Canales is starting to scheme guys open. He’s also designing plays that look like and take advantage of motion from previous plays. He also gaining experience and confidence as a play caller. I do think it’s an apples to oranges comparison though. It’s not the same offense.
December 19th, 2023 at 10:34 am
Sure Joe leave the Worse OC’s In BW that i have seen out of the Equation.
Anything to Help you sell some BullS88t about Baker. Brady was 8-8 last season and left the final game up 17-10 before the Reserves came in. We’ll leave that last out to help again sell it.
Mayfield is 7-7 with 3 games to go.
Brady had nothing to lose and dumped the ball and threw it away. He was done after the year anyway. Why get hurt? Brady has more rings than Mayfield has 4 TD Games and he’s had 90 shots at that.
Mayfield has everything to lose as Failure puts him in Heineke Territory.
Personally I think Mayfield Chokes down the stretch. McAffee should know about choking because he saw Reggie Miller up close.
Comparing Mayfield to Brady is like Joe to Bob Woodward. Not even close. At least Woodward gave the public all the facts.
December 19th, 2023 at 10:34 am
Wish we could post emojis here. VOMIT!
December 19th, 2023 at 10:42 am
There isn’t any question that Mayfield ‘23 is better than Brady ‘22. People really wanna argue against that? Unless Mayfield melts down in the last 3 games, it’s going to be hard to argue the Brady side.
December 19th, 2023 at 10:53 am
BS. The entire Bucs team looked bad last year and I think mostly because of Bowles demanding a run run offense with a built to pass personnel offense. Make me wonder was Leftwich really that bad or was it Bowles demands the run with a passing offense. Also I’ve watched every Bucs game this year accept Sundays game which was blackout in my area and I just didn’t see all this they’re talking about with Mayfield. Nonetheless, I don’t give a d… as long as we kept winning
December 19th, 2023 at 10:55 am
You can 🌴🏴☠️
December 19th, 2023 at 10:56 am
Let’s just say I’m not worried about the Jags. Our offense is coming along and it has nothing to do with Todd Bowles (by his own admissions). A comparison this year is spot on, IMO. Tom had a lousy play-caller and a dicey last year.
December 19th, 2023 at 11:02 am
The Mayfield propaganda continues unabated, yes he did play an acceptable game Sunday, against a crippled dysfunctional Greenbay team in the midst of a defensive overhaul , and minus the 5 sacks and fumble that cost us a touchdown , and ignore the fact that these games have been far too few and far between , and the fact that we are still averaging just 21 points a game and he did OK , who knows , in another half season he might have another halfway acceptable game. Mayfields play is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get but two such games a year is not going to take you to the football promised land.
December 19th, 2023 at 11:10 am
^^^^^ “decent game???” “Why doesn’t he set NFL records every time he plays with this juggernaut “??
Thanks for playing, 🤡
December 19th, 2023 at 11:13 am
Mayfield has had two good games as a buc. Why he can’t be consistently better like in those two games I don’t know. The reason we are 7-7 isnt because of defense. Tired of hearing that excuse. Let Mayfield put up consecutive good games which he has not done here. Also the bucs don’t have a win against a team with a winning record. Last year with the comparatively same record everyone thought the team should be blown up. Now the whole team sucks except the QB. Well I believe we have a better than average team that has a lower than average QB most weeks. See record for validation . 7-7 I really hope he has turned the corner. He will have to prove it to me.
December 19th, 2023 at 11:13 am
Baker Mayfield is maturing as a man, and hence a quarterback. He has overcome tremendous obstacles everywhere he has been in life. He will soon surpass 20,000 yards passing. In the modern NFL where each team really does need 2 reliable quarterbacks, Tampa Bay should sign Baker for a new contract. All things considered, Baker has earned it. As a Browns fan, I wish him all green he best and have great respect for him.
December 19th, 2023 at 11:28 am
Agree with majority here, StPete and others.
Tom 45, got b**ch of a wife, no wheels.
Probably not fair to compare his last yr vs what we’re up to now.
GO BUCS, NEED TO LOCK IN ANOTHER W BEFORE WE THRASH THE SAINTS
December 19th, 2023 at 11:33 am
Easy the ne fan bois will cry wolf
December 19th, 2023 at 11:36 am
Good Grief gimme a break. Win a few SB first please.
December 19th, 2023 at 11:37 am
Folks, I have been a Bucs fan for a long time.
I saw Williams, Young, Testaverde, Dilfer all leave us.
I am as skeptical as any past abused and traumatized Bucs fan who was promised that this free agent quarterback is the answer.
For every Brad Johnson and TB12, we’ve had the Throwin’ Samoan, Deberg, Chandler, Erickson, Griese, Leftwich, and Fitzmagic just to name a few.
Baker Fans don’t understand how many times we Bucs fans have been promised that this guy is the answer, only to be whacked in the in the face with the fact that he was not.
As a skeptic of Baker, I hope we have finally found that long term answer with him. If Baker winning and playing like he did against the Packers, then he will be. Then we can look forward to years of competing for a Super Bowl and drafting DE’s, LB’s and OG/C like we need.
Fingers crossed 🤞 We shall see.
December 19th, 2023 at 11:40 am
Brady knows this to be true, which is exactly why he has a Baker doll with pins in it. Not to worry Tommy boy, your legacy is already cemented. Feel free to say positive things about Baker & Bucs, everyone else is.
December 19th, 2023 at 11:41 am
“Brady was in his third Tampa season with a complete mastery of the system.” Mastery of a system run by Byron Leftwich. PUKE! Joe, as were most Bucs fans, were blistering Leftwich all year for his complete absence of creativity. Despite that, I do believe ol’ Tommy boy had already left the game. His personal life last year was in total disarray, and as much as he wouldn’t admit it, it had to affect his game.
December 19th, 2023 at 11:47 am
Thanks, DannyZ. You have more BM cred on here than a lot of these “fans.” Some yahoo posts one time and claims he/she/it is a Bucs fan. Right (snort)! Canales is getting on the same page with his Offense. It sure doesn’t hurt for the O to back up an injured, limping D for a friggin’ change. And Brady? You mean Methuselah? He stunk last year cos he was way pass his cozmic expiration date. Brad Johnson could have won that second SB. That how good the entire Bucs team was!! Go get 10-7, Bucs!!
December 19th, 2023 at 11:57 am
I think it’s great perspective for Bucs fans: Baker’s great year is comparable to Brady’s worst. I’m glad the Joes keep shoveling this perspective. It really sounds like we need to draft another QB and use Baker as a backup.
December 19th, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Brady was seeing ghosts all last season. Couldn’t hold onto the ball long enough for any plays to develop. A lot of balls were thrown at grass last year. He had zero mobility. Can’t get away with that with the athletic DE’s in the game today.
December 19th, 2023 at 12:03 pm
Woodward had ONE good season, in 1973
December 19th, 2023 at 12:10 pm
It was very clear to everyone here, including the Joes, that last season TB12 was not TB12 of previous years! With all the sh!t piled on him prior to and during the season, the man was lucky to shadow of himself!
December 19th, 2023 at 12:14 pm
Sorry, I really should read my copy before I send! I was trying to say TB12 was but a shadow of himself last season! Do to extraneous circumstances!
December 19th, 2023 at 12:15 pm
Only major difference is O.C.?
December 19th, 2023 at 12:16 pm
Agree Joe, if Tony has to be explained the comparison was only to Brady’s final season then he either can’t read or isn’t a Bucs fan.
December 19th, 2023 at 12:19 pm
Mayfield has been, without any doubt, better than Brady of 2022. It’s not even close. And for those saying he has more weapons and a better OC… that is definitely NOT the case. Say what you want about Leftwich, but Brady was by all intents and purposes, the assistant OC… and the guy that audibled into nearly a dozen smoke screen passes in the first three quarters of every game, that checked won way too prematurely, and refused to push the ball down the field. Leftwich can only call the play… now I don’t know what he called, but I can’t imagine he would go from being a top three coordinator from 2019-2021, and then forget how to call plays in 2022. A ton of that was on Brady and the fact that he was not locked in mentally or physcally during 2022. Canales MIGHT turn out to be a decent OC but at this point, Leftwich’s resume blows his out of the water.
December 19th, 2023 at 12:34 pm
You cant compare the two. As Baker said preseason, “Im not Tom, i dont play like Tom”. Baker brings a whole different skill set. But im willing to say they needed a guy with his personality this year. A lot of people would have shriveled up under the pressure of following Brady
December 19th, 2023 at 12:36 pm
Brady was not very good last year. He just wasn’t – pick your reason but Baker has been better on the field this year than Brady was in ’22.
The ’21 Brady was miles better than Baker – which I think everyone knows.
December 19th, 2023 at 12:38 pm
I don’t compare the two. Last year is gone. If you want to compare, compare these two:
A) Oneilbuc STILL wants Trask to start
or
B) Rod Munch says the Bucs NEED Devin White
Who is more ridiculous?
December 19th, 2023 at 12:42 pm
Don’t really care for individual comparisons.
Always thought Baker is a serviceable QB.
Play calling was better last week. Maybe Canales is growing up a bit – although he still has plenty of room to improve and can’t blame Baker for the lack of creativity.
Always thought Baker is another Brad Johnson with a much better arm and sign him for 2-3 years.
I’ll take that and vote for draft and free agent improvement in the Defense any day.
December 19th, 2023 at 12:45 pm
Brady has seen nearly ever defense imaginable thousands of times….he obviously had a very strong influence in how plays were called last season and even he couldnt figured it out paired with a former superbowl winning OC…..
A declining and half checked out Tom wasnt going to make it work with a bad Oline, no Gronk and no running game…..remember that Brady was just as bad in 2019 with few pieces around him his final year w the pats.
And I disgree Joe, the offensive line this year is WAY better than it was in 2022 especially pass protection wise. Donovan Smith was bad, Godeke was underweight and not ready not, same with Hainsey and Shaq Mason was just meh.
December 19th, 2023 at 1:01 pm
They ALL hate him cause he won for so long. I am sure all you Bucs fans including Joe dislike Brady until he was wearing a Tampa uniform. If Mayfield throws for over 4694 yds 25 tds with 9 or less ints,.his season is better. Until that day it’s the media trying to get a charge out of Tampa. The Baker MVP talk is ridiculous. In 2021 Brady threw for over 5300yds, 46 TDs and 12 ints and half of the ints were off Evan’s and Johnsons hands.
What did Godwin do in Bakers best game last week? Unfortunately in 2022 Brady had a gimpy Godwin that was injured half the season. Brady made him the #1 (actually 2 behind AB). Godwin is the difference maker not Evan’s and Baker found out the hard way.
December 19th, 2023 at 1:01 pm
Baker gonna get PAID!!!!!
$35-40 mill per year…times that by 4 years
Minimum.
December 19th, 2023 at 1:05 pm
The oline played worst last year not really a fair comparison Brady had to pretty much instantly get rid of the ball which skews this comparison if you didn’t actually watch the games. I do like baker though and wouldn’t mind the bucs signing next year considering the draft spot the bucs are looking at now.
December 19th, 2023 at 1:10 pm
TTbucs3@ the Patriots went 12-4 in 2019. That’s when you had to win to get in the PO’s
December 19th, 2023 at 1:15 pm
I think the OL is worse this year but has gotten bailed out by Baker. Baker has been better than Brady if I’m being honest. He has had some terrible games this year as well. If I’m gonna call Baker horrible, then I got to call last season horrible for Brady as well. I’ll give Baker credit for the last couple of games but I’m not optimistic for his future as a Buc.
December 19th, 2023 at 1:23 pm
NEstan, Brady has the 2d lowest QBR of his career in 2019. They only won cause they had the #1 defense in the NFL. Back when Bill Belichick wasnt senile.
December 19th, 2023 at 1:28 pm
Stop with this nonsense.
Playcalling, distractions, o line pass blocking…. Totally different
December 19th, 2023 at 1:28 pm
Pats had the #1 defense in the NFL in 2019, only reason they won.
December 19th, 2023 at 1:30 pm
2023 offensive statistics are better at this point than 2022 statistics.
End of story.
December 19th, 2023 at 1:56 pm
Tom Brady was a 45 year old man going through a divorce last year. Baker Mayfield can be better than that but still not be good enough. We need to see a few more games where he puts the team on his back because that’s what you need at the end of the day if you want to win the big one.
December 19th, 2023 at 2:16 pm
Baker has a career day – and people act like it’s the new norm. LOL!
Reminds me of all the morons talking about Fitzmagic, thinking after 2 games, Fitz was suddenly the best QB in the history of the NFL — and it wasn’t just that he got hot for a couple of games.
For Baker, he’d been terrible in the weeks leading up the Packers game, then against a Packers defense that made some guy named Tommy Devito look like Tommy Brady – Baker has by far the best game of his career, and people are acting like it’s the new norm.
It’s remarkable how dumb people are and how they refuse to learn from history.
However, with that said, I’d love to see Baker get on a hot streak that takes us through the playoffs. If that was to happen, then anything is possible in a year when there really isn’t any truly dominate teams.
Anywho, it’s all up to Baker, he can earn himself a ton of money if he can keep it up.
December 19th, 2023 at 2:17 pm
The most glaring difference is Baker’s ability to move. He can buy a little more time than Brady. He will hang in there just a second or two longer. Most of the time it helps at the same time he has fumbled 3 times because of it. I will say it is a work in progress. He trusts his line more than Brady did last year.
December 19th, 2023 at 2:32 pm
REALITY:
Zero … 0 … none … not one single win against a +.500 team.
Any sports commentator who compares a QB to TB12 (TB12!!!!!) when that QB hasn’t won a single game against a winning team is a TOTAL FING HACK.
December 19th, 2023 at 2:38 pm
I was saying this was going to be the case all offseason. Baker is a top-half of the league QB with elite arm strength and serious motivation. We gave him an opportunity and a better OC. Brady didn’t even want to be here.
The writing was on the wall.
December 19th, 2023 at 2:42 pm
I’m here for this argument, but I think the real important question: is baker an upgrade over Brad Johnson? That’s the really pressing question
December 19th, 2023 at 3:51 pm
NEfan
What did Godwin do in Bakers best game last week? Unfortunately in 2022 Brady had a gimpy Godwin that was injured half the season. Brady made him the #1 (actually 2 behind AB). Godwin is the difference maker not Evan’s and Baker found out the hard way.
That’s was good football. Good memories for this ol biy
December 19th, 2023 at 4:48 pm
TTbucs@ I was there season tickets, that D was way overrated. Agreed not Brady’s best year his numbers were pretty close to Joe’s prediction for Baker boy.this season and that was 16 games. Oh, Edleman with a bump knee, his.2 & 3 receivers were Sanu and Nkeal Harry. Not to mention Brady’s bad MCL that he played the entire 2020 season with. Remember that season?
He can’t beat Minshew and these media idiots are comparing him to Brady. Last point in 2019 Brady b@#tch slapped Baker Boy.
December 19th, 2023 at 5:10 pm
This is really ridiculous. All this shows is that Tom stayed one season too long. This is like comparing some dude that made a few 3 pointers and a dunk in between a bunch of dud games to Michael Jordan, but only his final season on the Washington Wizards.
December 19th, 2023 at 6:38 pm
Well he does have a better o-line and a better running game, so yes to 2 out of 3 of those lol.
But he’s also mobile and can escape, whereas Brady could not. And that’s more important behind our still shaky o-line. If he finishes the season playing the way he did in Green Bay, then yes we can declare him decidedly better. Right now it’s marginal.
December 19th, 2023 at 6:59 pm
Put DS at LT and lets compare then
December 19th, 2023 at 7:29 pm
Nonsense.
December 19th, 2023 at 7:31 pm
Baker is an above average QB and the Bucs should keep him. He has proven himself this season. However, he is no Tom Brady and doesn’t claim to be one. Last season, Brady was dealing with a divorce which took away from his focus. The Bucs made a great move in getting Baker. He turned out much better than I expected. He is a fighter and gives it all. I hope that they can make him a good offer!
December 19th, 2023 at 8:43 pm
Joe I’m glad your readers earn you money but man I’m sorry a ton of your regular commenters do nothing but complain. It’s pathetic lol. Let’s enjoy the win streak and hope the Bucs, while in salary cap hell, keep defying expectations this year! We should be celebrating!! Bunch of spoiled brat fans lol.
December 19th, 2023 at 9:56 pm
The idea is flawed because this is not at all last years squad, offense, or coaches. there is nothing much to compare because there is no context for comparison. The only two guys I can even come close to comparing to last year are Evans and Godwin. Everything else is too much changed.
O line? Yeah right we got nobody playing in the same place except Hainsey. Who BTW scared the hell out of Brady early. Same this year to be fair. No time for Brady.
RB White Only started a handful of games last year. Fournette he of the quicksand feet.
TE Otten was in for Brate. neither had reliable hands last year
Leftnut? Really? Our offense was we do what we do last year.
No risk it was for 4th quarter comebacks only when Todd finally OKed it.
Still wanna make a reasonable QB comparison between last year and this? Good luck with that.
Still wrong
Using National click bait wannabes Joe? A Punter?
Go Bucs!
December 19th, 2023 at 11:05 pm
“Only a very casual fan or one totally out of touch would assume the headline referred to a Mayfield-Brady comparison that had anything to do with beyond 2023-2022. –Joe ”
So you are saying you get no new readers on a regular basis
That sucks
two words extra don’t cost no ink online Joe.
December 19th, 2023 at 11:17 pm
Rod Munch Says:
Baker has by far the best game of his career,
—-
As usual el wrongo.
more yardage in 2018 against houston
more TDs against cinci in 2020
pretty much the same performance against tenessee in 2020
Nope – no “by far ” his best game. Keep trying Mush
December 20th, 2023 at 10:02 am
Joe you are a delusional loser! Clearly dont know football!
December 20th, 2023 at 11:34 pm
Plus Baker is so much better off the field if you know what I mean