Prime Times For Baker Mayfield
January 3rd, 2025
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
Not bad for a bridge quarterback.
It’s easy to forget the Bucs had no idea what they were getting when signing free agent Baker Mayfield to a one-year deal for $4 million plus incentives in March of 2023.
The initial thought for many at One Buc Place was that Mayfield would hold down the position until Tampa Bay could draft its future face of the franchise.
Plans change.
That face now wears No. 6 and features a scowl.
Mayfield also happens to be one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks in 2024 as we approach Sunday’s regular season finale against New Orleans.
“I was with Baker for two years in Cleveland,” says Saints defensive coordinator Joe Woods, “and he’s a guy who’s always had a chip on his shoulder. He’s got that swagger. He’s the type of guy who wants to carry the team.”
It’s not a stretch to suggest Mayfield has been a revelation in Tampa.
His career was at a crossroads when he arrived and now he has Todd Bowles and the Bucs on the brink of another NFC South title … and perhaps the NFC’s No. 3 playoff seed.
Mayfield’s 39 TD passes rank second in the league and his 71.7 percent completion percentage is tied for second. He’s third in passing yards per game and No. 4 in passer rating.
Most importantly, Tampa Bay averages 29.7 points (fourth) and ranks third in total yards. And Liam Coen’s offense is closing with a rush, averaging 33 points since the bye week.
Where would the Bucs be without Mayfield? Tampa Bay fans shudder at the thought. And at the age of 29, he’s just approaching his prime.
Mayfield has won over Buc Nation with his moxie and competitive drive. When the pocket breaks down, he doesn’t think twice about sacrificing his body on scrambles. And while he’ll never be confused with Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen, Mayfield has run for 310 yards and 21 first downs this season.
For context, Patrick Mahomes has rushed for 307 yards and 22 first downs.
That bridge quarterback is now directing traffic for the league’s No. 1 third-down offense, converting exactly 100-of-200 opportunities.
How about the red zone, you ask? The Bucs rank fourth in the league in cashing in when reaching the opponent’s 20-yard line.
After Mayfield’s first season with the Bucs, general manager Jason Licht explained why Tampa Bay had an interest in No. 6 when few others gave him a second look.
“Bruce (Arians) has always been a big Baker fan,” Licht said. “He’s always been in my ear and in Todd’s ear. It’s tough for a quarterback to step into Brady’s shoes — and Baker wasn’t afraid to do it.”
The Bucs will head into the 2025 draft knowing they have their franchise quarterback. That’s a comforting feeling, one Saints fans envy.
New Orleans went 49-15 in the four years before Drew Brees called it quits. Since 2021, the Saints are 30-37, with Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton and Derek Carr taking turns operating under center.
“You can see the energy Mayfield brings,” says Woods, a former defensive quality coach for the Bucs. “He has a little of that gunslinger mentality. They’re playing really well together as an offense.”
A robust ground game has certainly helped, but Mayfield sets the tone with his feisty approach.
Bowles has liked No. 6 since the Browns made Mayfield the top overall pick in the 2018 draft. All it took was one season to win Bowles over completely.
“Baker has the keys to the bus,” Bowles said in the offseason. “He’s driving it.”
The Saints need a quarterback — and the Buccaneers do not. That’s a huge edge for Licht as he tries to fill holes on defense in 2025.
Bowles craves ball security and there’s been only one game this season, an overtime win at Carolina, when Mayfield has thrown more interceptions than TD passes.
Buc fans forgive Mayfield’s mistakes because they appreciate his bold, aggressive style. When he arrived in Tampa, he wisely said he wouldn’t try to be another Tom Brady. He just wanted to be Baker Mayfield.
Buc Nation chants in unison: we love you just the way you are.
January 3rd, 2025 at 1:22 pm
Yes we do luv Baker just the waY he is!!!!!!🤩 n
January 3rd, 2025 at 1:24 pm
The Baker haters are grinding their teeth while explaining that they are really Bucs fan…. yeah right.
January 3rd, 2025 at 1:28 pm
Coen and Baker are a great combo to watch, sucks it’s already week 18.
January 3rd, 2025 at 1:40 pm
I believed in him from day 1. He just needed a chance and a stable franchise.
Also, he is 75% completion rate in the red zone! The next closest is Darnold at 70%
Makes the Browns, Panthers, and Jets look like dopes. Their loss is our gain! Go Bucs!
January 3rd, 2025 at 1:41 pm
Bruce Arians was a breath of fresh air for the Bucs. Not only did he turn around the Bucs he was responsible for bringing in Tom Brady and eventually Baker Mayfield.
Brady changed the culture of the Bucs and Baker changed the transition to the current Bucs.
Jason Light was the catalyst behind it all.
January 3rd, 2025 at 1:50 pm
What a decade for the Bucs faithful!
January 3rd, 2025 at 1:54 pm
It’s the Supreme luxury in the NFL to have a unquestionable quarterback, and that pays HUGE dividends on draft day.
January 3rd, 2025 at 1:54 pm
Its been really cool and fun to watch Baker Mayfield put it all together in his 6th and 7th years in the league – with back to back career years as a Buccaneer.
This year in particular – Baker has feasted statistically – ranking top 5 in most all important QB categories. And lets not forget that’s without Godwin for 2/3 of the season and Evans either out or ‘hamstrung’ for at least 7 or 8 games.
$33M per year ain’t nothin to sneeze at. As Baker himself humbly acknowledged – its ‘life changing money’.
But compared to $60M for Prescott – $55M for Lawrence – $53M for Tagovailoa – $46M for Murray – $46M for Watson – $45M for Cousins….
Baker is a bargain.
I would rather have Mayfield than any of those QBs – even if the money was the same!
January 3rd, 2025 at 1:59 pm
Happy for Tampa. Happy for the fans. Happy for Baker.
Won’t be any talk of drafting a QB in early rounds this year. Kyle Trask will probably want to start looking for an opportunity to play somewhere. Can’t blame him. Bucs might want to draft somebody like Ohio State, Wil Howard in 5th round to develop as a backup.
Rest of 2025 draft needs too concentrate on defense. There will be a major overhaul this year. Really need to trade for top flight EDGE. With Kancey and Vea shutting down the middle, EDGE is a huge missing piece. The other EDGE can be a committee of existing Bucs.
January 3rd, 2025 at 2:11 pm
With a W the Bucs make the playoffs for the 5th straight season, WOW
No matter how inept Todd is or how bad his scheme is, 5 straight seasons of the post season is AWESOME!!!!!!
Glad Baker is here and proving the “experts” wrong
January 3rd, 2025 at 2:20 pm
In the Giants game when Irving had a big run, Mayfield was down field blocking. How can you not fired up after that?
January 3rd, 2025 at 2:25 pm
Test
January 3rd, 2025 at 2:26 pm
There will be Free Agents that will want to sign here because of Baker, I will not be surprise to see a big name sign on next year, players like to be around winners.
As far as Trask goes, being a backup in Tampa is a pretty good gig, don’t see him competing for any starting QB for any team. Keep banking the money and he can live comfortably with no injuries the rest of his life.
January 3rd, 2025 at 2:29 pm
Baker was the best fit after Brady. Feisty is the perfect word to describe him.
Great song chant too for Baker – Just the way you are.
January 3rd, 2025 at 2:36 pm
A great time to be a Buc’s fan!
January 3rd, 2025 at 2:41 pm
Lee or Steve can either one you of you gentleman offer any assistance on why my post (and the posts of others) keeps disappearing when clicking “submit comment” There is nothing off color, nothing that could be considered objectionable by any reasonable standard. It so frustrating. Help.
January 3rd, 2025 at 2:45 pm
Love Baker, great time to be a Bucs fan is right! Would like to see Baker here for the next 5-6 years with Licht pulling the strings… we should be able to look forward to many more playoff runs! Go Bucs!
January 3rd, 2025 at 2:49 pm
He’s not perfect but he’s pretty friggin good. I’m sorry but you simple minded Baker haters are not going to forgiven/forgotten just because you’ve been less yappy lately.
It’s one thing to say I don’t know about that guy yet, or Im not sold or whatever but some of you guys (you know you are) were way beyond skeptical and we’re unequivocal in your statements that he couldn’t/wouldn’t do EXACTLY what he’s been doing!
Google has all the receipts.
No cookies for you 🤣
January 3rd, 2025 at 2:56 pm
Even with Brady announcing it looks like the major networks are not showing the Bucs game YET AGAIN. This year has been the worst I can remember for Arkansas to watch Bucs live. They always seem to show the Cowkids, instead. I am sooo mad.
January 3rd, 2025 at 2:57 pm
Only thing holding this team back is Mr 27-26.
That dude must be shown the door.
I do not want his fingerprints on the defensive rebuild in the offseason.
Barely skating into the playoffs in the worst division and possibly getting bounced in round 1 does not move the needle.
The bar has been set high. Anything less than the Superbowl should be deemed unacceptable.
January 3rd, 2025 at 3:08 pm
Good news.
Seems Carr and Kamara both out for Sunday.Miller his backup also out
Olave questionable.
Seems Otton winfield and Dean out for us.
I think with Rattler back there we just have to guard Olave if he plays and make sure the tight ends don’t run free.
January 3rd, 2025 at 3:11 pm
We get Rattler again 😈😈😈
January 3rd, 2025 at 3:14 pm
I could write this stuff. EZ gig.
January 3rd, 2025 at 3:20 pm
Cricket Baker, what part of AR. I am in NWA Lowell-Rogers area
January 3rd, 2025 at 3:29 pm
You do realize that MANY legendary and/or highly praised HC’s have records between .500 and .600 right? Shanahan, Mcvay, Campbell etc..
The idea that a head coach must win 75% of their games is fantasy. Only 2 coaches in HISTORY have done that. Only 5 have cracked 70% in NFL HISTORY. Only 1 CURRENT coach is over .700 (Nick Siriantti – Philly).
Coaches are judged by playoffs and Superbowls – not win loss %. Anybody remember Jimmy Johnson’s %? Tom Landry’s? Bill Parcells? Mike Tomlin’s?
Todd has the team playing hard when it matters most. He helped build this team. Ask Baker, or Mike, or LVD, or Liam, or Vita, or Tristan what they think of coach. That’s what matters, not some ignorant (by choice obviously) critic at a keyboard.
Hate on haters while the rest of us whole heartedly pull for the (whole) team to pull off the improbable 🤘🏼
January 3rd, 2025 at 3:30 pm
Hey Ballhawk, Tell me again who was it that held the Chiefs to 9 points in the Super Bowl? What defensive Coach was that? You “always play to win your Division first.” Then you have earned a playoff home game, maybe even a by week before that home game. When we Win we then are a 10 win NFC South Division Winner. By how many games? It matters not as much as you present it.
This will be Brady/Baker banner #4 in a row. How many other Divisions do you see this happen in? Four Brady/Baker Banners in a row. Must have been just all Luck, or did our team play better than every other team in our Division? ( Hint this is how you win a Division Championship by the way )
GO!!!!!BUCS!!!!!
January 3rd, 2025 at 3:34 pm
Baker is my second favorite, third favorite, current buc. That’s really good!
January 3rd, 2025 at 3:56 pm
Remember that narrative before the season that last year was just a fluke by Baker *laughingInBuc
January 3rd, 2025 at 4:19 pm
@Ballhawk75
The ONLY thing holding us back is Todd? Didn’t you say the following recently?
January 3rd, 2025 at 4:20 pm
To be fair, it helped in that super bowl that the Chiefs had lost most of their tackles
January 3rd, 2025 at 4:30 pm
What Beeej said.
Add in the HCs son maiming a child right outside Arrowhead, drunk driving days before the game.
Add in Mahomes made some incredible throws that his guys dropped.
That game could have gone either way.
January 3rd, 2025 at 4:55 pm
We’re lucky to have him. I’d sign him to a lucrative extension in the off-season. He’s our guy long term as far as I’m concerned.
January 3rd, 2025 at 4:59 pm
Brady was a big reason for why the defense played so well. Not Toilet. Brady said before the game we have all the answers to the test we just need to go out and finish it. I guarentee you it had very little to do with Toilet.
January 3rd, 2025 at 5:27 pm
Could write a book on why. Literally hundred(s) of reasons why.
As always, it’s as much if not more of a pain in the arse for Joe to dig these comments out of moderation and approve them.
January 3rd, 2025 at 5:29 pm
They need to extend him in the off-season. I know he just got a deal but they should add 3 years $180 million. It sounds steep but it will be a deal in 3 years. Then the Bucs would have him locked up for the next 6 seasons and they won’t have to worry about signing him next year. I doubt he plays the 3rd year of his current deal as-is.
January 3rd, 2025 at 5:35 pm
Most here were lowballing Baker contract when he was signed last year. Think Baker was fine with the deal, which is below what he could have earned if he pushed it with other teams. Obviously he likes it in Tampa. Pretty sure he was thinking about the next contract which he will sign at age 31. That deal will be the homerun akin to Watson, Lawrence, Burrow, Lamar, Allen, Rodgers deals. In two years, Baker will be in his prime and the defense will be healed. Bucs will be perennial NFC Championship contender for next 7 years.
January 3rd, 2025 at 5:41 pm
Not bad, for a drunk.
January 3rd, 2025 at 6:04 pm
Bucs won’t let Baker wait too long for an upgraded deal. Baker is a team guy. He will do like Brady and defer money for better teammates. Baker is a steal this year. Best in league per dollar spent. If we get him to stick with his current contract in 25 it’s a godsend. They should add some incentives just as a reward. Go Bucs, Go Baker.
January 3rd, 2025 at 6:41 pm
With a defense? Dynasty!!
January 3rd, 2025 at 7:03 pm
Carr is Officially out vs Bucs. Joe must be overwhelmed with happiness about this. I personally hate this mentality. To be the best you have to beat the best. I’d much rather watch the Bucs play meaningful ball vs full strength teams. Remember iron sharpens iron. A easy win gives false hope in play scheme and performance.
January 3rd, 2025 at 7:20 pm
All you guys saying things like let’s give him 10’s of millions of more dollars. Baker in his career has never asked for more money. You same guys are saying spend millions to keep Coen here. Both of these guys would never jump our Bucs ship without giving this organization a chance to counter offer. In fact, these two guys are having the time of their lives and confident in their professions. Also, it’s a pleasure reading a good Ira Kaufman article. Thanks Sage, I’d forgotten the Saints Defensive Coordinator was with Cleveland in 18 and 19. That is valuable information. Bet Baker will use that to his advantage.
January 3rd, 2025 at 8:14 pm
Ballhawk75… you’re a dope!
Anything less than a superpower should be deemed unacceptable.
Hahaha! Your wonderful idea is to have a 99% turnover in coaches each year. Why stop there?
QB less than a 130 rating…fired
RB less than 1000 yrds…fired
WR less than 100 receptions…fired
Any D player less than 19 sacks and 100 tackles…fired
Stay off this site please!
January 3rd, 2025 at 9:25 pm
Ballhawk u r a creep what’s gives. U the authority to say who stays & who goes what a moron take u r ballhawk nonsense elsewhere u give this site a BAD LOOK!
January 3rd, 2025 at 9:27 pm
Bakers contract was 3 year not 2 they don’t have to do anything with his contract til 2026
January 3rd, 2025 at 10:13 pm
Baker is the real deal. Our legitimate franchise QB, That is right the Buccaneers finally have a franchise quarterback. The future looks bright. Perennial contenders. Respect!
Go Bucs! Trample the Saints!! Playoff bound!
January 3rd, 2025 at 11:33 pm
We have a QB but no pass rusher, no LB and a poor defensive backfield.
Licht needs to figure out the dline and LB corps or we’ll be stuck at 9-8/10-7 for a while.
Brady fell into his lap along with Gronk and AB and Suh.
Licht needs to get us over the hump or we need a new GM.
Some of you are in love with a couple of his picks instead of his overall job.
January 3rd, 2025 at 11:53 pm
Not only has Baker been a blessing, he’s had to overcome a horrible defense that has choked away several of his comebacks. Winfield has been a bust this year after getting paid, Dean is toast , Britt is a liability and Kancey needs 6 games before he plays. No edge besides Nelson. Yaya is a fraud and LVD is getting older. Even if Bucs make the playoffs their defense will get smoked.
January 4th, 2025 at 1:51 am
Bakersbucs, you don’t understand NFL contracts. Yes, Baker’s contract is 3 years. The last season is a lame duck year with little to no guarantees. Baker will also be grossly underpaid by NFL standards. He and his agent won’t go into that year without an extension and some guaranteed money. They also will want to avoid the franchise tag that could come after the 3rd year. Baker seems like he wants to be here but it’s a business and he’s making half of what the top QBs are making.
January 4th, 2025 at 5:51 am
He definitely got rid of any animosity I had when he showed up he’d be in Baker Mayfield. Unfortunately I won’t be able to have an attempt to go at the game in Tampa before I’m behind enemy lines right next to my Mercedes broke down stadium. But as we win Sunday it would be nice to hear the fans cheering and chanting MVP for our boy MB.
January 4th, 2025 at 12:41 pm
If BM6 can protect the ball and make plays here on our, the Bucs will make waves in their push towards the Big Game. The D has to show up too! Then who knows? One game at a time!!!!!