Jason Licht: Baker Mayfield Was The Bucs’ “Identity”
March 20th, 2024
Bucs GM explains.
Would the Bucs have won the NFC South, curb-stomped the Eagles in the playoffs and push the Lions to the brink without Baker Mayfield?
Maybe not. Who said such a thing? That would be Bucs AC/AC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
Appearing on an NFL Network-produced podcast “The NFL Report,” co-host Steve Wyche asked Licht (who fellow co-host James Palmer introduced as the “Mastermind of Money”) what he learned about first-year Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Licht said he didn’t realize what a natural-born leader Mayfield was.
“We always knew that he was a super competitive player, super competitive person,” Licht said. “He has that moxie to him. Thats what made us —those that liked him coming out [in the draft] — love him.
“I guess it was the extreme leadership that he showed. He took over the team right away. He was part of the straw that stirred the drink this year. With his leadership and toughness, it was our identity [in 2023].”
Licht added it was Mayfield’s demeanor that the Bucs gravitated to was the extra edge the team needed not just to win the division but bludgeon the Eagles and nearly upset the Lions.
“His confidence bled into the entire team,” Licht said.
Licht also confessed he was rather concerned if Mayfield would have hit the free agent open marker, he may have been a goner.
“I can see why” teams would want him, Licht said.
There is no doubt to Joe that Bucs players embraced Mayfield, both offense and defense. If that was the spark the Bucs needed to play better and execute plays, more power to him.
March 20th, 2024 at 1:24 am
Go Bucs!
March 20th, 2024 at 1:30 am
Just watched his 2023 highlights, baller. He certainly had some low times, but so did the entire offense and scheme. He puts it all in the line and often comes through when it matters most. I expect an even better year in24’.. Personally, I think if the Bucs take Joes advice and get a real impact edge rusher + strong draft, we could be talkin Super Bowl!
March 20th, 2024 at 1:31 am
Just hoping that Baker and Wolford don’t get injured. The team would be doomed if that happened!
March 20th, 2024 at 1:56 am
We’ll be lucky to win 9 games next season, just like we were lucky to win 9 games this season.
March 20th, 2024 at 2:29 am
I like Baker just cause I love my Bucs, seems like a cool guy who you’d want to hang out with…
but just to keep score
We had to Get Rid Of D.White #45 , Carlton Davis #24 AND Shaq Barrett #7 this off-season in favor of keeping Baker
In Jason Lit we trust its a Bucs Life. Looking forward to the draft
March 20th, 2024 at 3:12 am
Jarrett
I don’t see how we could possibly continue to get away without paying someone eventually without a newby on a a rookie contract. The truth is you’re not going to the Super Bowl with a rookie much less the playoffs. And his salary just isn’t that bad.
Baker finally played well enough in a new system, and with a completely inexperienced OC, and STILL he finally started to put it together at the end. I believe he’ll have a better year this year due to continuity with the same team members alone. Add a decent draft much less a strong draft and we might just break some records this year. And just maybe really compete in the Big Show. I honestly believe we have a shot depending on health of the team.
And unlike the clown above, I’m grateful Trask is in place incase Baker gets hurt. And then woeful. I mean wolfy, well, Wolfy sucked when he had his shot because he actually got one. It wasn’t pretty… He’s lucky to be a third string backup. I’m a “Buccaneers Fan” and I Don’t give a shiat about people’s college preferences and that includes wolford.
March 20th, 2024 at 3:56 am
It’s an upbeat article about Baker coming from the GM confirming what Mike Evans, Tristan Wirf, ex player Ronde Barber, and so many others have said about Baker. He is going to have a sensational year 2 as a Buc, with hopefully some new helpers in the middle of the O line. The Hate Brigade has been quiet recently but a nice article like this will surely activate them again. They always seem to doubt what insiders say about Baker.
March 20th, 2024 at 4:07 am
Well said Obvious, I agree that the team will be better this coming season and I like Baker and he proved to me he can succeed but I don’t ever polish another man’s balls the way others on here talk like he’s better than Tom Brady. seems they have a stalker esh thing going on, like they probably go threw his garbage to see what he ate for dinner. It’s kinda creepy
March 20th, 2024 at 4:57 am
jarrett
I know people say that about keeping score but I’m not sure I agree here. LOVE Shaq and what he did for us but he’s washed we couldn’t afford to keep paying him on his contract and releasing him was the only thing we could do to clear the books for the future. Carlton Davis is a good player but he’s often hurt and when we did have him there were still lapses in coverage he’s being paid way too much to have our coverage units to look so porous. D white was already replaced by a guy who’s still on our team and that guy play well so not sure keeping white as a backup at 7.5 mill is a good idea either.
Getting rid of these guys goes deeper than just that we got rid of them to make room for baker. Licht doesn’t let anyone go that he really doesn’t want he could have restructured several players to keep these guys I just think JL came to the same conclusion I have. They aren’t worth the cost
March 20th, 2024 at 6:25 am
Sloooowwww news cycle.
March 20th, 2024 at 7:50 am
We won 9 games with no pass rush, no running game, new QB, new OC. I knew early on we wouldn’t be competitive with the Eagles or Lions, by the the off the season I felt we could play with anyone
March 20th, 2024 at 8:03 am
Yadda yadda yadda … “super competitive” … “moxie” … “locker room leader” … And it all added up to an 8-8 record (our kicker’s 3 field goals won game 17) in the worst division in the NFL … He is, was, and always will be mediocre.
March 20th, 2024 at 8:04 am
Average at best does sound like the Bucs identity
March 20th, 2024 at 8:06 am
Shane Callahan Says: “Just hoping that Baker and Wolford don’t get injured.”
You mean JOHN Wolford, the guy who playing in 7 NFL games has thrown 1 TD and 5 INTs? LMAO. Gee, I can’t imagine what Florida state school you went to.
March 20th, 2024 at 8:08 am
Few, if any, DBs have come back to anything close to their former abilities after having the injury that Shaq had. Love what he did in the past, but I have to believe that his best days are well behind him.
March 20th, 2024 at 8:25 am
The “Brady Effect” is long gone….this is Bakers team now
March 20th, 2024 at 8:38 am
I like Baker but seriously, Jason L just signed him so he’s going to praise him effusively. As for praise from teammates, all players everywhere praise their quarterback. It’s an unwritten rule particularly for offensive players. He’s a great guy that played barely adequately last year and I’m rooting for him but we should keep the sales pitches by biased and self serving individuals in perspective.
March 20th, 2024 at 8:40 am
Been sayin it.
March 20th, 2024 at 8:55 am
@mrd
Agreed. I’m starting to think Joe joined the Tickets Sales Division of the Bucs’ Marketing Team.
March 20th, 2024 at 9:27 am
Baker Mayfield is the Rocky Balboa of Qbs. Count this guy out if you and he’ll bounce back and knock you out! He will be a champion 🏆 you mark my words!
March 20th, 2024 at 12:38 pm
32nd ranked run offense.
29th ranked pass defense.
The Bucs wouldnt have won 5 games without Mayfield.
Everyone who predicted the Bucs would finish in last place were right!
Except for the Mayfield factor.
He single-handedly carried a bad team, that had given up, to the NFC championship
March 20th, 2024 at 1:02 pm
Capt.Tim Says: “He single-handedly carried a bad team, that had given up, to the NFC championship.”
Lay off the crack. He’s never even played in an NFC Championship Game, much less won one. And never will.
March 20th, 2024 at 4:02 pm
JM lay off eating azz cause you’re enough of an azzhole, already, trying to pop folks happy balloons. Go suck it.
March 20th, 2024 at 5:03 pm
LOLOL dang! Couldn’t have said it better myself TheFun
March 20th, 2024 at 5:06 pm
Marzulo you are the bane of any optimistic fans existence. You’re the dude in the stands everyone is throwing their popcorn at, wishing you would just stop drinking and stfu. You are obviously ignorant and a loyal traskite. Please just go be a Philly fan or something you loser
March 20th, 2024 at 5:58 pm
Marzullo,
Dont be a dumb F
Baker won the NFC SOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP.
Even you arent such a cinderblock as to not know that.
If you dont watch the team, troll, then dont annoy people that arent simpleminded.
Have a nice day
March 20th, 2024 at 6:07 pm
Beeej Says:
March 20th, 2024 at 7:50 am
We won 9 games with no pass rush, no running game, new QB, new OC. I knew early on we wouldn’t be competitive with the Eagles or Lions, by the the off the season I felt we could play with anyone….. Such a good comment Had to repost
March 20th, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Gerald.
That is a fantastic Comparison. Baker” Rocky” Mayfield.
This kid is special. He’ll have a SuperBowl ring before hes done
March 20th, 2024 at 8:47 pm
He sure was our identity, a middling winsome losesome qb for a middling winsome losesome team that mirrored him perfectly. Like that is ever a good thing. If he was like say Eli Manning I would have confidence in the Bucs winning the Super Bowl last year at 9-8 but this is Baker we’re talking about
March 21st, 2024 at 1:39 am
Big Browns fan. Big Baker fan. Became big Bucs fan. Lots of Rumors of Bsker losing the locker room in Cleveland. Do you think Baker needed to go through a tough 2022 to be great in 2033. Or do you think if the Browns got rid of the non team players he would be leading a very good Browns team today
March 21st, 2024 at 12:44 pm
@Capt.Tim
Tampa didn’t go to the nfc championship btw due to baker throwing a crucial interception that he could have just thrown away. You guys live in la la land or under a rock? Get realistic