To this point, the choice to herald Baker Mayfield has paid dividends for the Bucs. Though it’s nonetheless early within the season, Mayfield has appeared the very best that he ever has. The query of whether or not he’s a Professional Bowl-caliber signal-caller has additionally come up.

Merely put, when he’s taking part in confidently and believes in himself and the blokes round him, he’s a harmful quarterback. This previous Friday, he appeared on the Pat McAfee Present to speak about his satisfaction taking part in with the Bucs and taking advantage of his alternative.

Baker Mayfield Is “Loving” How It Has Labored Out With The Bucs

Bucs OC Dave Canales and QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

A giant aspect of the Bucs stunning out of the gate and taking part in spectacular complementary soccer is due to the play of quarterback Baker Mayfield. For him, he’s having fun with taking part in for a corporation that’s all about soccer.

“I’m loving it,” Mayfield mentioned on taking part in in Tampa Bay. “I imply, I feel that’s an understatement. It’s an ideal group, the individuals are nice. They know learn how to win. They know that it’s all about profitable. So I’m having enjoyable once more, I used to be telling individuals – it form of jogs my memory again in Oklahoma. Simply get the very best guys on the sphere. It’s all about soccer, no BS, and let’s simply get after it.”

Noting that he thinks again to his Oklahoma days being on the Bucs is a optimistic signal because the Sooners’ model of Baker Mayfield was a sight to see. From 2015-2017, he completed within the prime 5 in Heisman voting every season and made the crew must-watch Faculty Soccer. After having gone by some hurdles throughout his stops with the Browns, Panthers, and Rams, he seems like that has given him a distinct view on being a frontrunner and studying from his errors.

“I really feel the identical means,” Mayfield added about if he seems like his finest self now. “I feel all of the errors and issues that I’ve gone by – plenty of them self-inflicted. There are alternatives to study and develop from it, and so simply taking advantage of this chance with the blokes down in Tampa. I’m loving it, and that’s not pretend.”

Baker Mayfield Opens Up About “Complicated” Finish With Browns

Former Browns QB Baker Mayfield and Browns CB Denzel Ward – Photograph by: USA As we speak

For Baker Mayfield, recapturing his success comes after an sudden and disappointing finish in Cleveland. After Mayfield was anointed as a franchise savior of a winless crew, he entered the league with sky-high expectations. Ones that whereas at one level he met guiding the Browns to the playoffs, all of it dissolved and ended on a complicated be aware to Mayfield. After he was traded away, he needed to fasten his seatbelt for the wild journey to come back.

“I feel I’m nonetheless confused too,” Mayfield mentioned. “I feel in the direction of the tip there, I performed 2021 with a just about torn-apart shoulder and I used to be excited to get the surgical procedure, get wholesome, and get one other shot to attempt to get again to that 2020 type. That wasn’t their plan, and I’m a agency believer that all the things occurs for a cause.

“Now the rollercoaster I went on after that was a bit of bit nuts for me. It gave me a very good perspective. Being in Carolina attempting to be a very good mentor to a few guys and only a completely different perspective – taking a step again, being a very good chief. Additionally on the identical time going to LA, it was like, ‘Alright, we’re one another, I bought a five-game season right here. Let’s take advantage of it and pad the resume.’

After his rookie season in 2019, Mayfield bought a tattoo on his left wrist that claims: “Imagine in your self.” Even by the ups and downs of his NFL profession, and occasions the place he questioned if he may lead an NFL crew to success, he’s not letting any inner doubts negatively have an effect on him or his play. “There was at all times plenty of strain [in Cleveland], however attempting to navigate it myself, I feel I realized plenty of invaluable classes. There have been positively doubts, there have been time intervals the place I used to be second-guessing.”

Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Made Signing With Bucs Simple For Baker Mayfield

When Baker Mayfield was requested in regards to the choice to ink a one-year, $4 million contract with the Bucs, there was no second-guessing the 2 star large receivers he now will get the prospect to throw the ball to.

Bucs WR Mike Evans, OC Dave Canales, and QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

“That was a giant deciding issue for me,” Mayfield mentioned of taking part in with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. “These guys are studs man. Two of the very best to ever do it, and simply seeing them in individual, they’re a lot enjoyable to observe. The work ethic and the expertise speaks for itself, however seeing how meticulous they’re about their craft, it’s enjoyable to observe.”

Not solely is there loads of expertise on offense however the Bucs quarterback was blown away after seeing one of many protection’s longtime standouts up shut. “Early on throughout OTAs and stuff once we’re competing with one another, I feel I began to appreciate the expertise that we actually had. Obligatory mini-camp got here round, and I feel it was my first time seeing Lavonte David play in individual, how he was taking pictures the gaps. I used to be like, ‘Sh-t, we’re going to be fairly rattling good.’ It occurred fairly rapidly.”

Lots has occurred rapidly for Baker Mayfield in his NFL profession, however he has had the prospect to take the bye week to investigate the beginning of his time with the Bucs. This season has allowed Mayfield to play extra freely and confidently in a system that caters to his strengths, and he has solely labored on refining his strengths as a participant, chief, and individual.