Only a few in the NFL may have turned around their career like Baker Mayfield has. Kurt Warner was probably the biggest underdog story the NFL had ever seen or will ever see. An undrafted free agent to a Super Bowl Champion, you couldn’t have written a better script. Mayfield, too, had a chip on his shoulder to prove himself among the pros. A first-ever ‘walk-on‘ Heisman Trophy winner in College Football history, Mayfield had already shown how special he can be. But when it came to the NFL, his career wasn’t smooth sailing until the Buccaneers gave him a platform. Their one decision has not only changed the course of their franchise, but also Mayfield’s story in the NFL.
Let’s rewind to 2018. The Cleveland Browns drafted Mayfield with their No.1 overall pick in hopes he could rebuild their franchise. But after a rocky 4-year stint, the Browns gave up on Mayfield. He was shipped off to the Carolina Panthers after the Browns acquired Deshaun Watson from the Texans. Well, we all know how that decision paid off for the Browns. Moving on, Mayfield suddenly found himself jumping from one inconsistent franchise to another. At Carolina, Mayfield didn’t even last a full season before getting released with a 1-5 record.
Then with the Los Angeles Rams, Mayfield saw only 5 games. But he did credit the Rams for rejuvenating his career, “It brought the fun back,” before the Bucs came calling. Tampa Bay also didn’t trust Mayfield wholeheartedly. That one-year contract was probably the final opportunity for Mayfield to succeed in the NFL. And boy, did he flourish. Taking up the reins of a post-Tom Brady Bucs team, Mayfield stood and delivered.
Under his leadership, the Bucs won their third-straight NFL South title and a fourth consecutive playoff berth. With that, he convinced everyone that he was more than capable of leading an NFL franchise. So, Troy Aikman, who had been one of the biggest fans of Baker, didn’t mince his words talking about his NFL renaissance. “I’m a big fan of Bakers…He’s had a Rocky road, you know, was the way it began. Then to see things sour the way that they did and him bounce around a little bit when he went to Carolina and then the Rams and now to Tampa and him betting on himself the way that he has, I couldn’t be more happy for him. Couldn’t be prouder of the way he’s handled everything,” Aikman said in a radio interview on the Franchise Boarding Show.
Jan 5, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) looks on before a game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Well, Mayfield didn’t just save himself from being termed a washed-up QB through his 2023 campaign. His determination to keep fighting for his worth earned him what he was always destined for. As Aikman added, “Then last year when he was able to get his payday, after enduring all that he did and not everyone’s road is easy. He weathered the ups and downs early in his career. And now he’s found a home in Tampa Bay.”
Mayfield’s 4,044 passing yards for 28 TDs and just 10 INTs were enough for the Bucs to give him a whopping $100M contract with $50M in guarantees. Now, some could get comfortable, having finally settled down after a rocky tenure. But not Mayfield. He took his game up a notch to add another layer to his comeback story.
Baker Mayfield’s renaissance in the NFL continues
2024 turned out to be one of the best seasons Tampa Bay had ever witnessed a QB deliver whose name wasn’t Tom Brady. Just take a look at his numbers.
4,685 passing yards: Third-best in the entire league
43 TDs on the air: Tied for 2nd best in the whole NFL
71.4% completion rate: Again 3rd in the NFL.
401 rushing yards and 3 scores on the ground: Both his career-high.
Mayfield’s 2024 season wasn’t just a good season—it was an elite campaign filled with TD galore. Those numbers even helped Baker rewrite the NFL history books. Last season, he became just the 4th player in history to put up over 4,000 passing yards, 40 TDs and a completion percentage over 70. A 4th straight division title and an NFC-best fifth consecutive postseason appearance. Bucs under Baker are a force to be reckoned with.
This season, he will be hoping to get them deeper into the playoffs after last season’s disappointing wild-card exit. And considering how Mayfield’s numbers are flying off the charts, it might be just a matter of time before he takes them on a Super Bowl run.
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