Baker Mayfield hasn’t taken long to win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per his new general manager.
Already on his fourth NFL franchise, the polarizing former No. 1 overall pick has his team in sole possession of first place in the NFC South. And according to Bucs GM Jason Licht, Mayfield is winning over his team through not only his play but his off-the-field motives.
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Bucs GM Jason Licht Describes Baker Mayfield’s Interactions With the Team
Speaking with NFL Network personality Peter Schrager on Wednesday’s “The Season” podcast, Licht described how Mayfield immediately won over his new teammates the moment he stepped in.
“Baker is a DUDE, and the players saw it right away,” Licht began.
But then, the GM shared that Mayfield’s relationship and interactions with his teammates stretched outside of the Bucs facility, helping fuel his new popularity within the franchise.
“He took the OL [offensive line] to the Bahamas during camp after final cuts to golf. He’s spotted around town at dive bars with receivers, with Mike Evans, with [Chris] Godwin,” Licht said.
The Bucs GM, who signed Mayfield to a one-year deal, couldn’t help but beam about having Mayfield as the quarterback leading the NFC South’s current No. 1 team.
“He’s that guy. He’s the man. And it’s not fake,” Licht said.
“Baker is a DUDE and the players saw it right away. He took the OL to the Bahamas during camp after final cuts to golf. He’s spotted around town at dive bars with receivers, with Mike Evans, with Godwin. He’s that guy. He’s the man. And it’s not fake.”
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) October 4, 2023
What Mayfield Has Accomplished in his First Four Games as a Buccaneer
Is Mayfield putting together a Pro Bowl season? And has he clearly carried over the momentum he established with the Los Angeles Rams, where he said he had “fun playing football again?”
If anything, his numbers in 2023 draw parallels to his best campaign in 2020 when he was with the Cleveland Browns. Here’s a breakdown:
- Through the first four games, Mayfield has seven touchdown passes and just two interceptions — the same numbers he had with the Browns through four games in 2020.
- Mayfield has the Bucs once again off to a 3-1 start. The 2020 Browns also started out with the same record.
If anything, Mayfield’s Browns team that season dropped their first game before rolling to a four-game winning streak. As members of the “Dawg Pound” remember, Mayfield was the last QB to take them to the playoffs.
MORE: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Depth Chart
Mayfield showed up to the “Rams House” as damaged goods due to a late offseason trade to the Carolina Panthers before losing his starting spot to Sam Darnold. He was eventually released and was given one more chance in 2022 with the Rams, where he guided the team to their final two regular-season victories.
This season marks the first time a Mayfield-led team has begun the year 2-0. But here’s what else Mayfield has accomplished: Producing his first 300-yard game in two years (317 in a Week 2 win over the Chicago Bears) and throwing for 882 yards (220.5 yards per game). He didn’t have a 300-yard outing in his first four games of 2020 and has more yards in this span compared to that campaign.
At this pace, Mayfield will have nearly 3,750 yards for his first 3,000-yard season since 2021 and throw for approximately 30 touchdowns, which would be the most in his career.
Licht has indicated that Mayfield has won over everyone in his new digs. But an NFC South title will put the Bucs in a position where they’ll have to consider keeping the veteran QB around the team he’s grown popular with.