Baker Mayfield is that guy.
An NFL quarterback who hangs out at dive bars.
Alamy
Tampa Bay gets off to 3-1 start with best performance from Baker Mayfield
The team leader took his new offensive linemen on a golf trip to the Bahamas.
The veteran of four professional teams now leads the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to atop the NFC South with a 3-1 record.
“He’s a great guy,” Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said on Peter Schrager’s Season Podcast. “He’s a guy and the players saw that right away.”
Tom Brady no longer means Tampa Bay is going to have a bad season.
Instead, Mayfield leads a resurgent Buccaneers team that just defeated the New Orleans Saints 26-9.
Mayfield completed 69.6% of his passes, advanced 882 yards, 7 touchdowns, and only 2 interceptions.
The Buccaneers quickly signed Mayfield, the former No. 1 overall pick who lost his job in Cleveland when the Browns were trying to acquire the struggling Deshaun Watson and then jumped from Carolina the same season. Los Angeles Rams.
“Baker, he’s a very, very smart guy,” Lichter said.
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Mayfield emerges as Buccaneers’ surprising leader without Tom Brady
Mayfield came off the bench two days after being granted waivers, regained respect around the league and led the Rams to a 17-16 comeback win on Thursday Night Football last season.
“I don’t know if you can write better than that,” Mayfield said. “Obviously we hope there’s not a little bit of pressure, but honestly, it’s a really great story.”
Starting the year 3-1 with Tampa Bay, Mayfield is creating another great story.
After Brady retired for the second time, the Buccaneers were predicted to be one of the worst teams in the NFL.
Tampa Bay then opened the 2023 season with a surprising victory over Minnesota.
Mayfield initially won over the Buccaneers with his grit, smarts and determination, beating out Kyle Trask for the starting quarterback job in a training camp game.
Mayfield’s personality continues to impress Tampa Bay.
Licht said when he walked around town, fans would ask him what kind of person Mayfield was.
Associated Press
The former No. 1 overall pick is with his fourth team in five years and was a player with the Rams last season
“I don’t know where to start. He’s not a good person,” the general manager said.
The former Browns/Panthers/Rams quarterback is shaking off his bad reputation by connecting with new teammates.
“He was spotted in a dive bar in town with a bunch of receivers and Mike Evans,” Lichter said. “It’s not fake. “He really knows how to be a part of the team and they all love him. “
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