The Tampa Bay Bucs had every reason to assume they were in “rebuild mode” at the conclusion of the 2022 season. They had just been thumped by the visiting Dallas Cowboys to eliminate them from the wildcard round of the playoffs, head coach Bruce Arians was on his way out the door, and worst of all, quarterback Tom Brady was hanging up his cleats after 23 seasons as a signal caller. Brady spent his final 3 years in Tampa Bay, winning Super Bowl LV however that would be the last time the GOAT would see the big game.
Tampa was in trouble. During the off-season, 2021 second round pick Kyle Trask was in line to step up into the starting role. That was until a series of well-timed conversations with the Bucs brought the veteran Baker Mayfield to Tampa Bay.
Baker Mayfield has always been popular with fans. He has been called the kind of guy you would want to sit down and have a beer with. Baker takes that last part quite literally, regularly being spotted at downtown Tampa Bay bars drinking with fans and teammates alike. He wasted no time after inking his one-year deal with the Bucs, taking his offensive lineman on a golfing trip to the Bahamas before the start of the 2023 preseason. Baker is universally loved for just “being Baker”. He has stated multiple times to the press that the Buccaneers organization stood out to him because they were willing to let Baker be himself.
The swagger Mayfield has off the field translates onto the playing field as well. Every snap Baker Mayfield takes, whether he hands it off, scans through his reads downfield, or scrambles for a big gain, you can see the energy emitting from him and it’s reflected by his supporting cast. When being chased down by a defensive end and running for a big 1st down; he will get up, let out a howl, and the Raymond James Stadium crowd erupts. Baker is just “that guy” as he’s been affectionately tagged by General Manager Jason Licht.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers players and fans alike are “Team Baker” as Mayfield enters this off-season a free agent, but if you ask anyone around town, there’s a high level of confidence that the “Mayfield Magic” is going to continue by way of a new contract before the 2024 season kicks off.
