“Baker Is The Best Quarterback I’ve Ever Played With”
February 6th, 2025
Shocking declaration.
Boy, did Rachaad White ever say a mouthful yesterday.
The Bucs’ running back was on Radio Row at the Super Bowl Media Center in New Orleans and he hopped on the “Doug Gottlieb Show” to chop it up with the part-time time sports radio host and part-time college basketball head coach.
(Gottlieb is the head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Hollers about sports by day; hollers at players and refs by night.)
White was talking to Gottlieb about his last three quarterbacks, almost a Who’s Who of quarterbacks.
In his final year at Arizona State, White’s quarterback was Jayden Daniels. Then the Bucs draft White and he’s playing behind Tom Brady. Then Brady retires and the Bucs sign Baker Mayfield.
That’s two Heisman Trophy winners and an all-time great. So of course, Brady was the best quarterback White ever played with right? He says no.
“I say all the time, I’ve played with [Jayden Daniels and Tom] Brady and I’ve played with Baker,” White began. “You ask anybody, I’ve said, interview or not, [Mayfield] is the best quarterback I’ve ever played with.”
That just blows Joe away White would say that.
Did he say that because Mayfield is his current quarterback? Joe would guess, yes, but if you listen to White talk in this sitdown heard on FOX Sports Radio, it seems White likes well-rounded quarterbacks who can run, too.
Brady couldn’t run. Daniels certainly can. And Mayfield can run.
“Baker is a great guy,” White said. “Baker is a dawg. He’s a savage.”
White said Mayfield only knows how to play football one way: balls to the wall.
“That’s what you like about him,” White said.
To be fair here, White played with Brady in his final year. So maybe White was turned off by Brady taking a vacation in training camp, or he just is sure Mayfield of 2023 and 2024 was better than Brady of 2022.
And Joe does remember how, at San Francisco in White’s rookie season, Brady completely unloaded on his offensive teammates. Maybe that rubbed White the wrong way.
Still, to hear from a guy who played for what looks to be a generational quarterback (Daniels) and also played with the greatest quarterback to have ever lived, and the same guy says Mayfield is the best is pretty astonishing.
Joe is pretty sure even Mayfield would tell White he needs to slow down.
February 6th, 2025 at 7:02 am
I would say that too if I was being phased out
February 6th, 2025 at 7:09 am
You answered that question yourself Joe. He got Brady in his worst year, when he had off-the-field distractions. And how about we slow down with declaring Jayden Daniels one of the greatest QB’s to ever live after one season?
From Rachaad’s perspective this isn’t outlandish at all.
February 6th, 2025 at 7:10 am
You can’t not like Baker, the dude is a tough as they come. He plays every play like it’s his last and he always has his teammates back. He’s not perfect but who is. Baker is a true blue collar, lunch pale type of guy and he’s earned his teammates respect. Time to hope on board if you haven’t already because Bake’s going to be the Bucs QB1 for the next 10 years
February 6th, 2025 at 7:11 am
Came in when we needed him.
February 6th, 2025 at 7:35 am
Nice word play on the Hollers and hollers. I see what you’re doing there.
February 6th, 2025 at 7:45 am
Jayden Daniels’ 2021 numbers at ASU were very pedestrian. He didn’t really become who he is until his Heisman year at LSU in ’23.
February 6th, 2025 at 7:55 am
I’m sure Brady is losing sleep over Mr 3.9 yds per carry.
February 6th, 2025 at 7:56 am
White is right….that 2022 version of Brady wasnt good and thats the only version White saw
February 6th, 2025 at 8:01 am
Now if white would run with the same attitude that Baker has …. that would be something
February 6th, 2025 at 8:05 am
Talk about “slow down.” D. White and the “sack king” both had 1 great year. Pretty sure neither will be fitted for gold jackets
February 6th, 2025 at 8:12 am
By this perspective of playing “for” rather than “with,” I absolutely get White’s pov. Would you rather have a leader that rolls up their sleeves and jumps in to show/help you grind it out, or someone that throws tantrums on the sideline pointing fingers to cover up their own diminishing abilities? Hmmm, I’d prefer the former too
February 6th, 2025 at 8:29 am
Let’s see what Daniel’s does in year 2. Ask the guy in Houston, it gets harder. RG III was once the toast of the Redskins.
And I doubt White downgraded Brady for yelling when they deserved it. Brady was just one dimensional by that point. Well, maybe he always was.
February 6th, 2025 at 8:34 am
Baker Mayfield has grown up…but still a gunslinger killer,step on your throat QB.. someone told me to look at this kid from Oklahoma..I did it wanted him Cleveland Browns my favorite team got him ..then they kicked him to the curb… pissed me off but I knew Shake n Bake was going to make it… Tampa did good
February 6th, 2025 at 8:35 am
Baker is good , but he really needs to get the prime time game loser monkey off his back.
February 6th, 2025 at 8:52 am
Is Brady the best quarterback yes but he didn’t play with Brady while Bruce Arians was head coach. That 8-9 season was hard to watch and that playoff loss. Run game slightly improved after Brady retired I think, receivers loved Brady though
February 6th, 2025 at 9:04 am
This has been a paid propaganda announcement! LOL! ( The powers that be are trying way too hard to try to sell people on this guy , he is still a sub .500 career win Qb and probably always will be).
February 6th, 2025 at 9:04 am
This is what I don’t understand….
Giving all the hate for losses when it was obviously a defensive issue. (For those who claim Baker can’t win Prime Time)
Flip side
Giving all the love to Baker as well.
Baker will tell you this from his own mouth; greatest team sport. Stop hating on him when they lose, don’t give him all the hype when they win. But if you’re going to do anything. Look at his numbers and this dude is a MF dawg. He deserves nothing but respect because he is Top 5 QB
February 6th, 2025 at 9:09 am
Brady was like 74 years old, and that (so-called) “Offense” that year under Ol’ Lefty was atrocious. RWhite up the middle. RWHITE UP THE MIDDLE. Short Pass. PUNT. LoL.
February 6th, 2025 at 9:12 am
“ RWhite up the middle. RWHITE UP THE MIDDLE. Short Pass”
That narrative that Leftwhich was “run run pass” is completely false…the Bucs literally threw the most pass attempts in NFL history that year.
February 6th, 2025 at 9:13 am
Love Brady for what he did for the Bucs, but he was not good in his final year.
February 6th, 2025 at 9:23 am
Well also statistically speaking, Baker had his best years while in Tampa and playing with Rachad. Both Daniels n Brady didn’t. So the comment makes scence. I personally like Baker. We got the 1st overall pick QB that year for a cheap prove it deal. Then we get a cheap extension deal to stay with the Bucs n sling it to ME13,..cuz we had to resign him too. I don’t know if we keep Rachad White due to the blowing up of both RBs Buc n Tuc, but if we could keep him that’s a serious 3 headed RB room. Every player is different, so in certain situations we would probably have the right player for that situation. It’s true Rachad running stats weren’t mind blowing, yet his receiving stats were up there. This past year he did run better and his avg per carry went up. I think it would be hard to keep all RBs, but I think he would be better next year behind a better OL. Definitely Buc deserves to start thou.it would be interesting to see the depth chart next year….does Tuc move up to the 2nd spot or does Rachad stay at #2. Ouch….yikes..battle at number #2
February 6th, 2025 at 9:33 am
Didn’t Daniel’s come from LSU ?
February 6th, 2025 at 9:38 am
I’m just very glad that BM6 is our QB! You have to like a player who is so passionate about playing football.
February 6th, 2025 at 9:44 am
After he played a couple of years for Herm Edwards and Arizona State. His last year there was Rachaad White’s last year in Tempe.
February 6th, 2025 at 9:47 am
JD…. Now now Eli Manning is a 500 QB and he is considered a pro bowl QB….🤮
February 6th, 2025 at 9:57 am
I don’t know who the GOAT is and I don’t care. Baker is my GOAT. I would rather watch a guy like Baker Mayfield play football, who gives all of himself for his team. He is a guy who will play hurt and never complain. He has been hit as hard as anybody I have ever seen play the game and gets back up to play some more, when most guys would come of the field. He will make the necessary play even when he know he will pay for it. He doesn’t run for the sideline. He doesn’t take a dive. He goes for it every time. He is the only NFL QB who regularly plays under center which I love and which shows he is the badass of the league. His teammates love and respect him. He has NEVER had ANY suspicion surrounding him of cheating. And he is a dedicated husband and father. What is not to like? He has been a plus for the Bucs in every way. If you are still complaining about him you are not a real Bucs fan, and you have no understanding of how football works. I won’t waste my breath on Brady. I am NOT a fan. Daniels had a great season but he had nothing to prove. Year 2 will be much more difficult as he now will have something to live up to.
February 6th, 2025 at 10:09 am
“Tbbucs3” – When you run a guy ‘up the middle’ (who is not made to), over and over again, for no gain (soooo predictably, too)… It sure makes it seem that way!!!! And, they ended up throwing the ball A LOT, because they HAD TO. They’d get behind early, and have play in a bunch of ‘tight’ games. Then, Brady would desperately, try bringing ‘em back. They’d totally, abandon the ‘running game’ by the 3rd Quarter. It was a HORRIBLE game plan. And, it sure didn’t help that Brady was NOT great. He wasn’t ‘in’ the game and was always YELLING at everyone, at the beginning. Then he’d kind of ‘wake-up’ at the very end, and start working some of his ‘old’ magic. Sometimes, just too little, too late. Made it awfully, TOUGH. That’s how I remember it anyway.
February 6th, 2025 at 10:13 am
Given White’s criteria, Baler would probably top the list even if White had played with Brady at his peak
February 6th, 2025 at 10:23 am
“That just blows Joe away White would say that.”
Agree with those who have pointed out he’s playing with Baker at his peak, with Daniels in college and with Brady when he was so far over the hill he no longer could even see the peak.
No Brady won’t lose sleep over RWs opinion. But he clearly has lost some sleep over Giselle’s opinion!!! She was right and he was WRONG. He SHOULD have retired while riding in the Boat Parade. He’ll be the GOAT unless Mahomes catches him but he clearly soiled himself the final two years and the last year it was actually SAD to watch at times. It wasn’t just his physical skills that Father
Time stole..his leadership and FOCUS skills just weren’t the same either.
AGAIN for those Tommy Boy fans I may have offended.
He was what the Bucs needed to get over the hump and win their 2nd SB.
That was truly a MAGICAL season concluding with the Boat Ride and Lombardi toss! He had proved his point! It was TB not BB who made the Pats historic!
TWO things can be true at the same time. TB IS the GOAT! That doesn’t change the fact that with hindsight it’s clear he should have retired with the memory of the Boat Ride SB and not the two year downward spiral that followed.
February 6th, 2025 at 10:25 am
That final Brady year was a little rough to watch. Byron Leftwich being exposed without BA to do his homework for him. The O-line decimated before week 1 causing Brady to have the fastest release in the NFL to avoid dying.
February 6th, 2025 at 10:32 am
I would choose Baker over any other QB in the league.
Reasons: His demeanor, and his overall skillset.
Bake is one of only 3 QB’s in NFL History to throw for 4,500 yards, a 70+ completion percentage, and 40+ TD’s.
And he has the strongest arm in the NFL and best football attitude on the field.
We’re set at QB for the foresseable future. He will be our Brees, but even better I think.
February 6th, 2025 at 10:32 am
All you Brady lovers relax. Baker is in the middle of his career. There are Super Bowls ahead for him. If anyone thinks that Brady won those SB’s by himself, you are wrong. NE always had a good defense something that Baker has rarely experienced.
February 6th, 2025 at 10:42 am
The 22 season was a wash as soon as Jenson went down….also Fournette at that point was completely gone so you essentially went into the year with a Buffalo Bills practice squad RB as your #1…
The team culture was absolutely broken in 2022, lots of that due to disinterest washed vets like Brady, Fournette and “Coolio” Jones. Brady had one foot in the FOX booth that year.
Gotta give Todd Bowles and Baker Mayfield LOTS of credit for reviving a broken culture. That is NOT an easy thing for an HC to do…but will Bucs fans give Todd Bowles ANY credit whatsoever? Probably not.
All the credit goes to Jason Licht around here…
February 6th, 2025 at 10:58 am
Erik with UniqueModernArt.com Says:
February 6th, 2025 at 10:32 am
==========================
Baker does have a strong arm but of all the active QB’s maybe Josh Allen slightly stronger. Worth remembering that Sports Illustrated called Mayfield the best college QB of the century. Drew Brees for a lot of reasons is a good comparison for Baker. Before his career is over Baker will surpass Brees. This of course assumes Mayfield stays healthy which might be a longshot given the way he plays.
February 6th, 2025 at 12:14 pm
Shocked he didn’t mention Kyle Trask.
February 6th, 2025 at 1:26 pm
🤔 😁 😂
February 6th, 2025 at 1:40 pm
Josh Allen holds the combine record of 62mph
Baker and Mahomes both threw 60mph
February 6th, 2025 at 1:45 pm
Removing White from the plays was a bad move by Coen. Having the mix (and Tucker for a few) keeps the defense off balance. Would have loved to see more 2 back sets.
love Bucky, BUT, also don’t need to see it be a 3 year career due to injuries.
February 6th, 2025 at 3:41 pm
OMG, the fake news here.
The full quote was, “[Mayfield] is the best quarterback under 5′ 10″ that I’ve ever played with.”
February 6th, 2025 at 5:57 pm
I come on here once in a while to try to catch up on the Bucs news, and get a few laughs from some of the replies. I try to skip over the replies of the regulars because they really don’t have a life & think that their replies have significance on here.
the last reply on here is a good example:
The full quote was, “[Mayfield] is the best quarterback under 5′ 10″ that I’ve ever played with.”
that is fake news, if this Rod guy actually listened to the sound byte, White never said Baker is the best QB under “under 5′ 10″…I wish JOEBUCS could limit it to 1 reply/week on this blog per person, so we can get rid of some of these idiots….thx
February 6th, 2025 at 7:05 pm
Relieved that Rod Munchible showed to trash Baker who is over 6 feet btw. You must be thinking of the cardinals or panthers QB.
February 6th, 2025 at 7:27 pm
I just watched and rewatched that interview and that is not what I heard Rashaad say. If you listen carefully he was talking about Jayden Daniels as the best QB he has ever played with. He had great things to say about Baker but he did not say Baker was the best he’s played with.
February 6th, 2025 at 8:23 pm
So that’s the source of Rods Envy, Baker is taller than him and wealthier.
February 6th, 2025 at 9:23 pm
Oscar Says:
February 6th, 2025 at 7:27 pm
I just watched and rewatched that interview and that is not what I heard Rashaad say. If you listen carefully he was talking about Jayden Daniels as the best QB he has ever played with. He had great things to say about Baker but he did not say Baker was the best he’s played with.
————
Wow, you are absolutely correct.
The context of what he said is incredibly important – White is talking about Daniels and is asked if he saw his rookie success coming, and then he goes into the part where he says he played with Brady, played with Baker, and he’s the best QB he’s ever played with – he’s literally talking about Daniels.
First off, that’s retarded. The best QB you’ll ever play with in your entire life is Brady.
Second off, the quote was in fact fake news – not blaming the Joes since the idiots at Fox literally labelled the video as White talking about Baker, which is untrue.
Don’t believe it, click on the link above and start watching around the 3 minute mark so you get the full context, and just after the 4 min mark he says the comment, which is clearly talking about Daniels.
February 6th, 2025 at 10:43 pm
Last part nailed it: he played with Brady during Brady’s only bad season. Not really an accurate experience for who he was over his career.
February 6th, 2025 at 11:51 pm
Rod will say ANYTHING to demean Baker, ANYTHING. He doesn’t know what it means to be a true fan. Baker did something to him, probably in another life that he just cant get past. It must really eat at him knowing Baker is Tampa Bays Franchise Quarterback for the next 10 years. He would rather Trask be the quarterback and lose most of our games. Regardless, you will rarely, if ever, hear the truth about Baker escape his lips. He just cant see the truth. Poor, poor Rod, sad little boy.