Not even a year ago before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baker Mayfield’s career was on life support.
The former No. 1 overall pick of the Cleveland Browns split time between the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams last season, throwing 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 12 appearances and 10 starts between the two clubs.
But then, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers decided to take a chance on Mayfield in free agency, and the early returns have been great for both sides.
Mayfield has led the Buccaneers to a 3-1 record in the early stages of 2023, throwing for 882 yards, seven touchdowns and two picks while completing 69.6 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 101.5.
The 28-year-old spoke glowingly about Tampa Bay’s organization during a recent appearance on the Pat McAfee show.
“I’m loving it,” Mayfield said. “I think that’s an understatement. It’s a great organization the people are great, they know how to win — they know it’s all about winning.”
Winning is not something Mayfield has done a whole lot of in the NFL.
He spent the first four seasons of his career with the Browns, leading the club to one playoff appearance in 2020. Cleveland posted losing campaigns in all three of the rest of his seasons there.
Mayfield then went just 2-8 as a starter in 2022.
“I’m having fun again. I was telling people, it kind of reminds me, back at Oklahoma,” Mayfield said. “Get the best guys on the field, all about football, no BS, and let’s just get after it.”
The Bucs were certainly not expected to contend for much of anything this year, and many were anticipating that the team would move wide receiver Mike Evans by the Oct. 31 trade deadline.
Obviously, Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers had other plans, as they currently sit in first place in the NFC South.
Tampa Bay had a bye in Week 5. It will host the Detroit Lions next Sunday.
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