“He’s Probably Got A Bigger Chip Now”
July 24th, 2024
Baker Mayfield
So Baker Mayfield was handed a $100 million contract at 29 years old with a baby on the way and following a six-year roller coaster career.
For some players, that kind of scenario might take the edge off their approach to the game. Hey, not everyone is Tom Brady.
Today, Sage of Tampa Bay Sports Ira Kaufman asked Todd Bowles after Day 1 of training camp about Mayfield’s attitude now that he’s been paid. Any change?
“He’s probably got a bigger chip [on his shoulder] now,” Bowles said, adding that players will “run through a brick wall for him.”
It’s business as usual for Mayfield, Bowles said. “I don’t see any change.”
However, Bowles referenced several times this offseason — and today — that now it’s Mayfield’s Buccaneers from Day. He’s got “the keys to the bus,” Bowles noted.
In Bowles’ mind, Mayfield’s world is a little different now that he’s not competing (?) with Kyle Trask for a starting job like he was a year ago.
The implication is the comfort of owning the starting gig should give Mayfield the freedom to control the team and greater influence players in the right direction.
The Bucs’ first four regular season games should be a great indication of whether the Mayfield effect has made strides, or at least picked up where it left off when the Bucs won six of their final eight games last season.
July 24th, 2024 at 11:45 am
I’m hoping to see major improvement from Baker. No excuses this year. He got his money and has a HoF WR to pass to. We’ll see how it goes.
July 24th, 2024 at 11:50 am
I like Mayfield heading into this season. Being the unquestioned leader from day one this year makes a huge difference, but Baker is at the prime of his career age wise. Going on 29 he should be at the peak of his game. Mayfield was a cocky rookie when he was drafted in the first round by Cleveland. He’s a grown man now with family. I’m expecting the best football of his career this year. Barring injury, he’s set up nicely.
July 24th, 2024 at 11:58 am
I’ve been reading joebucsfan.com since Baker took the job at Tampa. Really enjoy the discourse. I’m going to give you Mayfield skeptics the best advice you’ll get today. Bet every single spare penny you have on the Bucs over 7.5 wins. I’ve watched the best QBs in football for 55 years. Only 3 QBs in the game today I’d bet in this years Super Bowl. Mahommes, Allen, and Mayfield.
July 24th, 2024 at 12:01 pm
“Baker has the keys to the bus!” Love that from Coach Bowles. Baker is going to do well this season. Feeling it.
July 24th, 2024 at 12:01 pm
My only concern with Baker is the adaptation to a new OC. It’s taken more time than we thought, but Baker is finally a franchise QB and happy it’s with us.
July 24th, 2024 at 12:20 pm
This should be a “fun to watch” season. Of course the Bucs need… “All Hands on Deck!” Starting with BM6!
July 24th, 2024 at 12:52 pm
Trade in the chip talk and give me some mf’n consistency!
July 24th, 2024 at 12:58 pm
Give Baker a half a second more time to throw and his completion percentage will approach 70% this year. Licht make some sensible changes to the O line. May take a while to see the results but by midyear Baker will be in Pro Bowl form. Baker played exceptionally well last year under constant pressure. Fully expect Baker will be in top 6 of QB’s this year. There was a reason that SI picked Mayfield as the top college QB of the 2000’s. This year everyone will see the real Mayfield.
July 24th, 2024 at 2:28 pm
I live in TX and I have been a Baker Mayfield fan since he walked on at OU. I saw greatness in him and here we are now. I know he’s going to lead the Buc’s (my favorite team now) to a Championship! I see Mayfield as America’s Son because of his competitiveness, grit, talent, and plays football they way I dreamed of as a kid, with a gunslinger attitude. He’s a true leader in every respect. In my eyes, he’s America’s Son! Go Baker! Go Buc’s!
July 24th, 2024 at 2:42 pm
Come January, all the haters/doubters be like “What I meant to say was….”
July 24th, 2024 at 3:12 pm
Baker finally has what he’s always needed – security, stability, continuity.
Very happy he wound up in TB with this group of teammates and staff after the crap he’s been through. He’s got experience now, one of the best arms in the league, and he’s hungry and still has plenty to prove so I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t have his best year yet.
LFG Baker and the boys!
July 24th, 2024 at 3:15 pm
Well it’s actually more of a 2 year / $50m deal, if he sees’ that 3rd year of the deal, he’s going to have to be one of the top QBs in football. Hope it happens since it means the Bucs are doing well, but he will absolutely have to earn it.
July 24th, 2024 at 8:07 pm
Love the positive vibes from everyone on here so far ! Sounds like all the real Bucs fans are on JBF .. Also , if you heard what Evans said today about the offense, sounds like everything is going to be better than last year. Evans said everything is the same, only different verbiage and more opportunities to make bigger plays . I’ll take that .. Go Bucs
July 24th, 2024 at 9:15 pm
“short bus”? Stature joke. I think the same as many here have posted that stability, trust, and now a permanent home all equals a great team. I really expect great things from these guys this year. I would not be surprised at 13 wins and home field advantage. They have everything they need, they just have to do it. Don’t underestimate that pissed off attitude to show everyone, which they should have every game.
July 24th, 2024 at 9:19 pm
Also, when I hear Baker talk he sounds very grounded, matter-of-fact without being cocky, which I don’t mind but just a stable confidence, like he knows what has to be done and communicates it that way. Very passionate about what he does. I like him. Go Bucs.
July 24th, 2024 at 11:52 pm
The truth of the matter is that Baker is STILL a question mark next year BECAUSE he is in a new system with a new OC. Thats indisputable. Yes he is loaded with weapons like last year. YES he is gritty and clearly oozes with confidence. But there is a reason why almost every talking head is cautious about saying that he has turned a corner after a season with only 8 or 9 decent games. He has YET to put 2 good seasons in a row together. And out of those 8-9 good games last year, they all had at least 1 quarter where he laid an egg. His teammates will run through a wall for him though and I’m cautiously optimistic that he will play better in an upgraded offense compared to the 1979 antiquated Dave Canales mess. He is surrounded by so many weapons that there is no excuse. New OC or not anything short of another 9-8 or 10-7 Division title will be a let down.