Very few players have had to go through as much crap as Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.
He’s been kicked to the curb more times than anyone of us can count.
Yet here he is, advancing on in the playoffs following a near-flawless performance against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Baked Mayfield’s best plays from the victory over the Eagles. I will forever struggle to understand Cleveland’s willingness to so quickly move on from Baker. Doubted so many times along the way, he belongs in the league as a franchise Quarterback. pic.twitter.com/MfhKsukyJ6
— Max McDulin (@maxmcdulin) January 16, 2024
He threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns in Monday’s dominant victory. However, that stat line doesn’t nearly do his performance justice. The Bucs had several dropped passes on perfectly thrown balls by Mayfield … He could have easily had over 400 passing yards and four-plus touchdowns.
Regardless, the only thing that has ever mattered to Mayfield is winning – and that’s precisely what Tampa Bay did on Monday.
"@CGtwelve_ down there somewhere." – @bakermayfield @NFLFilms | @insidetheNFL pic.twitter.com/Pwclu1gnqR
— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2024
In a heartfelt Instagram Stories post on Tuesday, Baker’s pregnant wife Emily, expressed immense pride in her husband.
“The smile is everything,” Emily wrote in response to a post detailing Mayfield’s game-day statistics.
“So much adversity. So many naysayers. People wanting him to fail. He hasn’t stopped working, he never stopped believing … I am SO proud of him. Onto the next one, @buccaneers.”
Mayfield, a former first-overall pick who has faced numerous challenges throughout his still-young career, has showcased nothing but resilience in the face of injuries and adversity.
Despite dealing with ribs and ankle issues, he played spectacular against the lifeless Eagles.
View this post on Instagram
“We worked extremely hard to get a chance to be in the playoffs and we just wanted an opportunity. Our guys came out and played really, really well. … Once again, the defense played lights out. We’re happy, but we’ve still got more to go,” Mayfield said after the game.
View this post on Instagram
The Buccaneers will now head to Detroit to face then red-hot Lions in the divisional round on Sunday.
View this post on Instagram
Mayfield, who signed a one-year contract with the Bucs last offseason, has experienced a resurgence this season after a turbulent 2022.
View this post on Instagram
Head coach Todd Bowles spoke glowingly about the impact that Mayfield has had in Tampa.
“He’s meant everything, from a mental standpoint to a quarterback standpoint making plays, from a toughness standpoint, from a leadership standpoint,” Bowles said.
“He’s done everything. He’s checked all the boxes. He’s doing all the right things now. I can’t say enough about him,” he added.
View this post on Instagram
The Bucs probably won’t beat the Lions on Sunday – but they have already exceeded the expectations that were set for them this year.
Mayfield threw for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions this season. It’s safe to say he’s earned himself a nice contract extension.
View this post on Instagram
What are your thoughts on Mayfield’s bounce-back season?
Are you a believer in him going forward?
Or do you think there’s a little bit of fool’s gold involved with him???
View this post on Instagram
