Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield does not sound like someone who wants to play his football elsewhere next season, even if it is not entirely within his control.
Following the Buccaneers’ Divisional Round playoff loss to the Detroit Lions, Mayfield raved about head coach Todd Bowles, who led the team to a surprising NFC South division title this season.
“Unbelievable guy,” Mayfield said, via Tampa Bay’s official YouTube account. “People say whatever they want on the outside, but that guy’s even-keeled. … He’s got some jabs that he throws in, really witty guy, fiery passion. He doesn’t wear it on his sleeves like I do. But I respect him. He’s a great guy and I enjoyed working with him.”
It’s hard not to notice that Mayfield said “enjoyed” in past tense. Of course, he was speaking off the cuff, so there may be nothing to it. But it’s also entirely possible that the 28-year-old is completely aware that he will be a free agent this offseason and that he may have played his last game for the Bucs.
If that ends up being the case, it seems safe to say that Mayfield has loved his time with the franchise.
“Through all the [expletive] that I’ve been through, I leaned on a lot of people here. I learned I could do that,” Mayfield said. “I’ve had a lot of people that helped me out throughout the year and just made it special. So, you go through stuff — where I was at in my life, not just football — and this place helped me out, so I’m thankful.”
Mayfield is expected to land a multi-year deal worth in the neighborhood of $30 million annually this offseason, and while the Buccaneers are slated to have sizeable cap room to be able to afford Mayfield, it remains to be seen if they want to pay him that much.
The former No. 1 overall pick threw for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 64.3 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 94.6 this season. He then proceeded to go 23-for-36 with 337 yards and three touchdowns in a Wild Card Round win over the Philadelphia Eagles before ultimately falling to the Lions.
Regardless of what happens this spring, there is no doubt that Baker Mayfield revitalized his career in Tampa. He’ll surely always remember that.
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