Baker Mayfield: “I’m Pretty Comfy In That Spot”
January 16th, 2025
A major change seems inevitable for Baker Mayfield and Joe’s not sure Mayfield knows how to handle it successfully.
Joe’s referring to Mayfield being a beloved and respected division favorite.
Mayfield has spoken previously about loving the underdog role and thriving in it.
In 2023, he was Tampa Bay’s shiny toy from a Bucs’ dumpster dive after Tom Brady retired. Some predicted the Bucs to win just a few games (hello, Peter King), and Mayfield largely was viewed as a miracle project as he competed (allegedly) with Kyle Trask for a starting job.
Then came a playoff run but another offseason filled with skeptics.
All last spring and summer, national pundits gushed over Kirk Cousins and the Falcons, and most put the Bucs around 7 or 8 wins. Instead, the Bucs won 10 and the Falcons were brutal (when they weren’t playing the Bucs).
So in a matter of months, Joe is sure the Bucs will be favored to win the NFC South for the 2025 season.
That’s foreign territory for Mayfield, especially when you consider what he told Erin Andrews of FOX Sports 12 days ago.
“That’s my home. That’s where I’ve come up the whole journey,” Mayfield said of being doubted.
“I’m used to that. I’m pretty comfy in that spot. Going back to the early days of not being a big kid getting recruited out of high school. When you’ve dealt with it before, you know exactly what mental place you need to be in, how you have to focus, the determination that comes with it.”
Yeah, Mayfield’s Browns were no underdog in 2021 after a surprisingly strong 2020 campaign, but Mayfield got injured in Week 2 of the 2021 season, so it’s unclear how he would have handled that year.
Mayfield’s comments to Andrews suggest he’s a stranger to being the favorite. And Joe has little doubt the Bucs and their explosive offense will be projected by many to win 11 games next season after spending in free agency and an intelligent draft.
Good luck as a favorite son, Baker!
January 16th, 2025 at 5:22 pm
They likely will be posted at either 8.5 or 9 wins in Vegas. No way 11. KC was posted at 11 this year.
January 16th, 2025 at 5:42 pm
If we could just fix the D passing coverage, we’d easily be a 12 win team this year. The offense is going to be top 5 again.
January 16th, 2025 at 5:51 pm
Buddha probably nailed our record perfectly. Bucs are not some dominant team, there are at least 10 games that are a push. If Todd upgrades players his defense probably won’t improve. Raheem Morris defense sucked he fired his friend and that’s putting the franchise first lol they want to beat us bad
January 16th, 2025 at 6:02 pm
Tampa’s Favorite Son!
We love you Baker. Stay as long as you want. Tampa is home.
January 16th, 2025 at 6:07 pm
I think he was referring to
Two more years on his contract $$$$
January 16th, 2025 at 6:08 pm
I think Baker is a great quarterback, a fighter, one who never gives up on a game no matter what. But …. The mistakes in the playoffs have to get better at some point. Last year against the Lions, Baker throws an interception deep in Lions territory. This year, a fumble deep in Commanders territory and a drive killing bad snap? The quarterback is in charge of alleviating all of these issues and preventing mistakes that kill drives and give the opposing team points.
I love Baker and I’m definitely a fan but this year, there can be no mistakes like this if after the regular season, we make the playoffs !!
Go Bucs !!!!
January 16th, 2025 at 6:35 pm
This guy has proven he’s a top 10 quarterback in this league, a.k.a. a franchise quarterback. We’re lucky to have him. But of course we need a pass defense and whatever it’s gonna take to get there. Go Bucs
January 16th, 2025 at 6:36 pm
Not bad for a drunk.
January 16th, 2025 at 6:47 pm
The Bucs will win at least 10 games next season. 1. I think Baker has learned from his mistakes, interception last year playoffs and fumble this year. 2. I really think that Licht and the Glazers have put pressure on Bowles to tweak, make some assistant coaches change on defense or both. When you look at the 24 season, Bucs won 10 games and although the offense didn’t play well in all 7 losses, the defense was responsible for at 3 of those losses which would’ve push the Bucs to 13 and 4
January 16th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
We can go 3 – 1 nfc west ,3 – 1 afc east, 4- 2 nfc south, beat the Texans and eagles,lose to the lions. Thats not farfetched
January 16th, 2025 at 7:00 pm
My guess is the Falcons will once again be the favorites according to most pundits.
January 16th, 2025 at 7:06 pm
Baker will get used to being favored.😃 He is resilient. He does not strike me as a guy who will let success spoil him.
January 16th, 2025 at 7:11 pm
Trade Him build through the draft that hardly works out in long term. This would make so many on this site happy
January 16th, 2025 at 7:13 pm
With a few additions and deletions, this team will compete for the SB in 2025.
Licht will fix the roster.
January 16th, 2025 at 7:37 pm
I think Baker is a good QB and has the potential to be a great QB with continuity. If the Bucs are able to keep him and Coen together for the next 2 seasons, I think the Bucs will have something special. Looking back on Baker’s career, I don’t think he had the same OC no more than 1 season, 2 at the most
January 16th, 2025 at 7:47 pm
Hope so ModHairKen, I really do. I thought the Bucs were in a decent position to make a run at the NFC Championship this year. So much offensive talent. But somehow, at times, more so towards the end of season, the offense went flat in the beginning of games. That really cost us !! Is it the lack of emotion ? Or lack of practice (practice makes perfect) ? Whatever caused the problem needs to be corrected during the offseason !!
Go Bucs !!
January 16th, 2025 at 7:51 pm
Many pundits starting gushing about him halfway through the season and it didn’t seem to affect him.
Far more things went wrong in the last game than the fumble which is being attributed solely to Baker, mostly, I assume, because a fumbled exchange whether between Center and QB or QB and RB is ALWAYS credited to the QB on stat sheets, regardless of who really was at fault.
The defense folded on the final drive, letting the opposing team milk the clock all the way down before their final score – something that happened in 3-4 games this season.
The offense committed so many penalties on first or second down, they eliminated what should have been our strength against the ‘skins – the run game. The perpetual offensive penalties held this otherwise great offense back all season.
January 16th, 2025 at 9:39 pm
As long as he stays healthy, Baker will be fine as the favorite.
January 16th, 2025 at 9:41 pm
Plus there are still plenty out there who still doubt him. Narratives are not easy to dispel.
January 16th, 2025 at 9:59 pm
I think Baker was out drinking with Wirfs Sunday night after the gut-wrenching loss.
I don’t know how I feel about that, but the optics aren’t good.
Nothing against partying but, wtf.
January 16th, 2025 at 10:06 pm
Theu should of been 12 wins this season if the referees didn’t beat them in 2 games! Actually, 3 games the referees beat them!! Bad calls on the Bucs and missed calls on their opponents
January 16th, 2025 at 10:17 pm
You know they compare baker to Bret Farr. In his early days in green bay. Before He finally got them to the super bowl. In every year he would get into the playoffs and win one or two games. And then lose or get knocked out in the early rounds. And then one year and all clicked. He had all the right teammates. And he won the super bowl. And they both are gun slingers.. So don’t be surprised what he does next year. Even if he has another new offensive coordinator. But I hope the current coordinator does not take a head coaching job.
January 16th, 2025 at 10:21 pm
And?
One last thing baker mayfield was the perfect quarterback to replace tom brady. He’s gonna give you a lot of wins. A lot of great memories. For many seasons. I’ve been a fan since he was in oklahoma. This is his home now and he will do anything and everything to protect it. So you can always hold and set up high. He owns a home in tampa bay. When he played for cleveland he only rented. So with a little bit of luck on the lack of injuries next year.On both sides of the ball. And a good number of players in the draft. Season twenty twenty five and twenty six are going be very excited
January 16th, 2025 at 10:22 pm
Looking at our schedule 11 wins isn’t far fetched, I think if we can keep the band together and get some edge help and resign David we can be special again baring any injuries
January 16th, 2025 at 10:47 pm
With Baker- this is a dangerous team
January 17th, 2025 at 12:02 am
Taking absolutely nothing from Baker; but I feel like these 3 backs are what made us dangerous this year, can we get a breakdown sometime of who we can or are likely to keep Joe?
January 17th, 2025 at 4:18 am
Love Baker! So glad he did find a home here after his journey. The perfect fit.
January 17th, 2025 at 7:20 am
I read 9x pro bowl linebacker Bobby Wagner is hurt and might not play against the Lions. That’s what happens when you mess with our quarterback, yeah!!! Maybe next time you’ll just step aside and let Baker by Bobby 😆
January 17th, 2025 at 8:20 am
Hodad Says: “My guess is the Falcons will once again be the favorites according to most pundits.”
Unfortunately, I agree. So much over-hype on the Falcons to the point of disdain. The sports media went full tilt this season with Cousins coming back. Then the bubble was burst. But now it will be about Penix.
January 17th, 2025 at 9:49 am
Mayfield wasn’t an underdog at Oklahoma and he did fine there.
January 17th, 2025 at 9:57 am
Baker just had his best season, so the statistical idiots will say he will regress to his average next year. We have enough Baker haters here to inspire him. The national media will love the new story line of Penix and ignore Baker.
Every player can get better, so here’s my list for Baker (not a hater here):
Reduce turnovers – he led the league in fumbles? and too many picks
Better touch passing – he’s great with the lazers but the moon ball not
Two minute – the Bucs need to practice this a ton during camp
January 17th, 2025 at 3:36 pm
“I think Baker was out drinking with Wirfs Sunday night after the gut-wrenching loss.
I don’t know how I feel about that, but the optics aren’t good.
Nothing against partying but, wtf.”
I think it’s called “drowning your sorrow and disappointment.” It’s also a deserved release after months of incredible pressure!
JimBob I agree the two turnovers did occur at horrible times in two playoff games. There is still some question as to whether the blame goes totally on Baker for the sweep fumble and if the target ran the right route in Detroit.
Not simply covering up for Baker though. Everybody makes mistakes. Tom Brady’s final playoff game for the Bucs against Dallas featured an interception in the red zone on a scoring march that totally turned the momentum to Dallas.
Sh*t happens. But I agree Baker and everybody can improve!
Here’s a question for all. So I think we all agree that Baker and Bowles and the entire team have room for improvement. Wonder if we can improve our posts for the ’25 season. Perhaps our blog racist and the idiot knows who he is will depart. He’s good for a half dozen brain free posts everyday.
I’ll challenge myself to do a better job of proof readng before I hit submit.