Baker Mayfield Reflects On 1-6 Midseason Slide
February 3rd, 2024
The Buccaneers quarterback had a private chat yesterday and reflected on his 2023 season.
The talk came with former NFL linebacker Kirk Morrison, a taped segment for Pro Bowl Live on SiriusXM NFL Radio. Of course Joe was glued to the radio with a Big Storm beer.
Hey Baker Mayfield, did you expect to be at the Pro Bowl today one year after a handful of starts with a bad Rams team? Mayfield was candid. “To be honest with you, no.”
Asked to describe his personal road to a successful season, Mayfield focused on his work ethic and his hunger to life those around him. It was something he mentioned twice.
“I’ve gone through a lot of stuff in my career, and that goes back to high school days, as well. Just riding the roller coaster. All the ups and downs and trying to be the best version of myself. Hard work pays off,” Mayfield said.
It was Mayfield’s take on the Bucs’ 1-6 “lull” (Mayfield’s word) that most interested Joe.
“A lot of times locker rooms can just go down in the dumps and guys can sell out for the rest of the year, but we didn’t,” Mayfield said. “We hung together, realized that we had to win at least five of the last six games and stick together to do that, and we did it.”
It’s fascinating to Joe that so many Bucs and players around the league will reference teams that essentially quit, but Joe has never found a player to say it was his team.
Joe had this discussion privately with Bucs defensive tackle Will Gholston back in October. Gholston insisted that never in his 11 Tampa Bay seasons has he been on a team that had quitters, but he also acknowledged it happens.
Interestingly, Gholston told Joe he was 110 percent sure that whatever happened with the then-struggling 2023 Bucs, the team would prove it had fight to the final whistle (minus an uncalled timeout).
It turns out Gholston was right.
February 3rd, 2024 at 10:59 am
Baker, Baker, tud maker.
February 3rd, 2024 at 11:05 am
Agreement with Liam Coen is official! He’s the new OC. Now let’s see who the WR, OL and special teams coach will be
February 3rd, 2024 at 11:11 am
fire Todd
February 3rd, 2024 at 11:23 am
There can be no question the 2011 Bucs quit on head coach Raheem Morris losing their last 10 games by an average margin of 17.5 points. THAT is what quitting looks like. Perhaps the Falcons will soon experience that.
The 2023 Bucs definitely did NOT quit on their coach. But did he quit on them?* Bucs ability to retain FA’s will hold the answer.
*I think he just screwed up and lacks the character to admit the truth. This could be just as damaging to the FA retention effort.
February 3rd, 2024 at 11:28 am
Here is the money quote….“We hung together, realized that we had to win at least five of the last six games and stick together to do that, and we did it.”
That satisfaction will carry over to next year. The loss in Detroit will keep it from going to the Bucs heads. They still have unfinished business.
DW45 is gone. The locker room has never been better. There is every reason to be #teampositive. I get that some people will lose it over that…feel free to remain on #teamnegative. We can read in the comments there are plenty with you. Be as miserable as you wish…I’m cool with that…just don’t make fun of me for refusing to join the “chicken littles”.
February 3rd, 2024 at 11:30 am
This season was crazy for us Buc fans.
After starting out 3-1 – people were talking about Canalas maybe be a head coach candidate and Bowles being a “head coach of the year” candidate…
Then after crashing landing back to Earth then going 1-6 – everyone was talking about who our coaches will be next season and cleaning house.
Then the Bucs go 5-1 to close out the season, winning the division and their first play-off game while coming one TD from the NFC championship.
Wow – what a crazy ride that was.
February 3rd, 2024 at 11:42 am
Would love to learn that baker is picking up commercial endorsements this off season. Not necessarily Travis Kelce level, but something that makes a discount contract easier to take. Progressive should move baker and Emily into the pirate ship at rayjay ..
February 3rd, 2024 at 11:44 am
Really Really Clever Usedtocould 👏 bravo, please give us more of your intelligent analysis…..
February 3rd, 2024 at 2:01 pm
I’m surprised he didn’t say, “No need to prolong the obvious.”
February 3rd, 2024 at 8:43 pm
He kept a positive mindset through a 6 game skid! Wow! Someone give him 3 years 200 mil we can’t let this guy go!
February 3rd, 2024 at 10:34 pm
Best QB the Bucs have ever had
February 4th, 2024 at 2:48 am
“uncalled timeout”
Jesus Buc fans…..Dan Campbell took his foot off the gas in a gesture, he could’ve easily went after exhausted defense and at minimum, put up another 3 points.
Grow up and get over it.
TB not listening to clown fans who wanted trade bait Trask, was the best non move of the season
February 4th, 2024 at 8:06 pm
Baker just keeps up the news making industry with precision passer award at the pro bowl then gets the MVP at the pro bowl I’m sure the haters will find some negative Nancy stuff to say.seems everyday he makes headlines with all good no bad news this is a good way to beef up that new contract