“It’s Just Time To Work Harder”

March 14th, 2024

Baker Mayfield joins NFL Network.

So why did Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht call Baker Mayfield a “pr!ck” yesterday at Mayfield’s celebration news conference honoring his new three-year contract?

Mayfield tried to answer that on NFL Network.

“I think, you know, he’s hinting at the fact that I’m extremely stubborn,” Mayfield said. “I’m not going to let somebody tell me, ‘No,’ I’m going to continue to work for it. But just knowing that the guys in this locker room, the organization embraced that mentality, that I can be the best version of myself, you can’t ask for much more. And so knowing that I have that coming back, it’s just time to work harder and continue to try and improve this organization.”

Mayfield obviously is fueled by anything or anyone that hints he’s incapable of hauling in a Super Bowl ring for his Buccaneers.

It’s fun for Joe, and it seems like Mayfield also enjoys it — in a rifle-beer-cans-at-the-wall kind of way.

“It’s always fun to listen to the opinions,” Mayfield said somewhat sarcastically, adding he loves this time year and hears the noise that the Falcons and Kirk Cousins will own the NFC South this season.

Mayfield acknowledged, however, that the Bucs will get their share of preseason hype, the kind that didn’t come before the 2023 campaign. He says it won’t affect the club.

“We have the group there that’s going to handle it correctly,” Mayfield said.

31 Responses to ““It’s Just Time To Work Harder””

  1. Boss Says:

    he’s gonna fold like a kmart lawn chair when precious comes to town

  2. The Truth be Told Says:

    Baker is now truly the face of the Bucs. He backs it up with his play. We are lucky to have him right after the TB era ended. WE have a very good shot to be a Super Bowl contending team every year for the next several years. Anybody that does not believe that does not know football and is really just a Bucs hater. Pass Rush next please.

  3. ^^mtn^^ Says:

    Not smarter?

    “Slide Forrest, slide!!!”

    ^^mtn^^
    Since ’76

  4. Rod Munch Says:

    Mayfield acknowledged, however, that the Bucs will get their share of preseason hype, the kind that didn’t come before the 2023 campaign. He says it won’t affect the club.

    —-

    I’m not dissing Mayfield or Bowles or anyone with the Bucs — but the Bucs aren’t going to get any hype. All the attention and hype is going to Atlanta.

  5. Rod Munch Says:

    I’m seeing the Bucs at +325 to win the NFC South at the site I use.

    If people legit think the Bucs will again win the division again, there’s a lot of money to be had.

  6. mtbucsfan Says:

    looks like the saints are buffing up their pass rush. chase young gonna be a slimy saint!

  7. Bubby Says:

    Bucs were middle of the road in 2023 and have only maintained talent in 2024. There will be no hype. Prove them wrong again year.

  8. Trask To The Future Says:

    Bubby,

    Exactly. We basically kept the same team minus Shaq and Davis and people think this is something to celebrate? This is the same team that lost 6 out of 7 at one point, could only beat the Panthers 9-0, and struggled against teams with winning records. And now everyone is a year older.

    We added Whitehead which is great, but this team still has many weaknesses. We have a terrible pass rush and a below average O-Line.

  9. CleanHouse Says:

    I used to think I wanted Aaron Rodgers to come take the reins from Brady.
    What a tool and a distraction that guy turned out to be. Maybe the most annoying athlete of our time.

    Don’t love Baker, but prefer it.

  10. Gipper Says:

    Baker and Bucs beat birds 2x in 2024.

  11. Defense Rules Says:

    Bubby … ‘Bucs were middle of the road in 2023 and have only maintained talent in 2024.’

    JL’s first priority was to get our Top-5 back into the fold. He did that perfectly, and BEFORE free agency even started … yesterday. And we’ve already gotten not just Jordan Whitehead back (fixing our Safety dilemma), but also Greg Gaines (we needed that big NT to alternate with Vea), plus several other guys from last year (and cheap). This is a fantastic start to FA.

    Before we can be adding an high-priced players, JL needs to make more CAP space. Right now we’re down to $3.6 mil of salary CAP room, with contracts for Winfield, Evans, Mayfield, McLaughlin & Gaines accounted for (but not those for LVD, Whitehead or Edmonds yet). I suspect they’ll restructure several contracts in the coming month or two (probably Godwin, Vea & Dean), do new contracts for Wirfs & Winfield, plus also take Russell Gage off the books. Long time still to go until Game 1.

  12. Bucblind Says:

    Baker has had a year to gel with his teammates and they with him. They like each other. That alone will make them a better team. He has learned from his mistakes and will improve. The team is hungry for more. Like Baker said lets work HARDER. They will be better this year. How much better we will know in about 51/2 months. 🏴‍☠️

  13. Proudbucsfan Says:

    I’m predicting we win 11 games next season because I believe we draft a center in round one a corner in rd 2 and a back like Ray Davis in the third, it’s detrimental that we hit on this rookie class for us to have a successful season and win the division again. This year’s edge rusher’s in the draft are weak so our chances of hitting on a one are slim

  14. SlyPirate Says:

    Rod Munch Says:
    I’m not dissing Mayfield or Bowles or anyone with the Bucs — but the Bucs aren’t going to get any hype. All the attention and hype is going to Atlanta.

    ^^^^

    Typically you’d be correct but DON’T FORGET a lot of journalists got crushed for their preseason and early season dismissal of the Bucs. Peter King wrote an apology letter (Beckles just lied and said he was always a believer. Not sure who I dislike more … nah, Beckles is worthless). Licht called SI’s reporter out in person for predicting a 2 win season. It got recorded, posted to X, and it went viral.

    No one is going to say the Bucs are Super Bowl favs but many will label us “Dark Horses”.

  15. BakerFan Says:

    Proudbucsfan Says:
    March 14th, 2024 at 5:42 pm
    I’m predicting we win 11 games next season

    …………………
    Very optimistic, very tough schedule but you never know each game with injuries and how the team is jelling.

  16. dbbuc711 Says:

    When Licht said Baker was an offensive lineman in a QBs body I took that to mean he was a prick like Jensen was. Not gonna take a damn thing from the other team. If NO took a cheap shot at ME13 I would not be surprised to see Baker going out to mix it up.

  17. Simeon4HOF Says:

    I’d get him a C or G in Round 2, a RB2 in Round 3,
    and a WR with the Det 3rd
    Draft a CB with the 4th
    and we’d be Set

    Long as we get that Edge Rusher

  18. HC Grover Says:

    Call back when he wins the first four games.

  19. Marky Mark Says:

    Many reporters wont back down and will.root for Baker to fail. Good. That is what motivates him.

  20. Ex-Browns02 Says:

    JL did a great job in locking up key assets without breaking the (limited) bank this year. In doing so, he’s provided the organization with the ability to focus on holes to fill in the remainder of free agency leading up to the draft.

    Good things still to come!

  21. bucsfaninOregon Says:

    Let Chase Young go to the Saints or anybody else. He was plugged in to round out that great DL that the 49rs have. He barely showed up. You would think with the rest of the talent there he would have a clear path to success- -but, no.

    Keep looking.

  22. T. McGee Says:

    Go Prick go. That’s fun.

  23. sweti_yeti Says:

    I don’t see that much hype coming our way. Atlanta will end up being the favorites because of Kirk Cousins and the running game. The Bucs will get dismissed because it’s the Bucs. That’s okay.

  24. Buccos Says:

    People with a high football IQ will continue to celebrate the Bucs as the NFC South Champs. We are going into year 2 with a great young QB who is also a veteran. The system will hardly change and we have retained all of our best players. The division isn’t the question anymore. It’s the Championship game and the Super Bowl that are now in the cards. We have established a winning culture and are 2 time Super Bowl Champs who are honing in on number 3

  25. Gipper Says:

    Buccos,

    I like it. I love it. I want more of it.

    Really need to beef up O Line with improvement at G and C. Going to keep advocating for a tight end that can block and catch passes. If this is accomplished, run game gets better. Have a feeling new OC has heard a lot about 2023 runs on 1st and 2nd down. Hopefully, he is of the school that the passing game can set up the running game.

  26. Buccos Says:

    Hopper
    Yes the play calling was rather suspect last year until the 2nd half of the season

  27. Oneilbuc Says:

    Devin White is a eagle now I hope it don’t come back to bite us!!

  28. Pelsbuc61 Says:

    Work ethic will be better now that serial loafer Devin White is gone. Good riddance!

  29. Mike C Says:

    Oneilbuc, White was a cancer, and I am not talking astrology, couldn’t cover and was “hurt” in the GB game (a game the Bucs HAD to have). Glad his arrogant over running the play @$$ is tf out of here… BYE!

  30. Shane Callahan Says:

    A die hard Trask fan here recently asked someone, “How many Mayfield jerseys do you own?” I own zero. My 21 year old son owns every single one he’s worn. I personally own two Marino jerseys (home and away). The NFL transcends generations. My dad still hates the Cowboys because they unceremoniously got rid of “Dandy Don” Meredith. So, some fans love and some hate. Start loving these Bucs if you’re a true fan. 🙂

  31. Saskbucs Says:

    It is imperative that the Bucs hit the ground running in 2024 and get out to another 3-1 or better start, while all these other teams with new coaches are ironing out the kinks. It should be a big advantage, keeping the continuity.

    I wouldn’t bet the Bucs today to win the division, mostly because I don’t have ton of faith in Bowles. I know the players love him and that counts for something but he will continue to get out game planned. If JL can knock another draft out of the park, shoring up the Edge and IOL positions, they will compete with anyone again.