Image credit: ClutchPoints

Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield draws confident take ahead of 2024 season

Originally posted on ClutchPoints | By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated 5/6/24

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFC South and defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs this past season. The Detroit Lions defeated the Bucs in the Divisional Round, but it was still an encouraging year for Tampa Bay after Tom Brady’s retirement. A big reason for the success of Tampa Bay was Baker Mayfield, who became the starting quarterback.

He threw for 4,044 yards with 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in a huge bounce-back campaign. With the 2024 season a way out, offensive coordinator Liam Coen expressed and raved about the confidence Mayfield brings to the table, per Kevin Patra of NFL.com.

“There’s not many days I don’t think Baker wakes up and he doesn’t have a chip on his left shoulder, but there is definitely a feeling that this is his team, and it’s OK to fail. It’s OK. Go out there, and let it rip, and be yourself every single day no matter what because you’re gonna be the guy and we believe in you. That’s something that ultimately he just hasn’t really had the opportunity to have all that often in his career. You definitely feel a quiet, calming confidence, but he’s still the same guy. He’s out there when we get on the grass, talking smack, getting after it and just having fun with the guys. I think that’s what ultimately makes him a great leader.”

The energy Mayfield brings to the team seems to be contagious. In the offseason, Mayfield signed a massive three-year deal worth $100 million and is looking forward to another strong season.

Baker Mayfield’s career resurgence with the Buccaneers

Tork Mason / USA TODAY NETWORK

It has been quite the turn of events for Mayfield. He spent four years in Cleveland after being drafted first overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. He then went to the Carolina Panthers in 2022 and wound up being released in December. But, that didn’t last long as he was picked up by the Los Angeles Rams and played five games, throwing for 850 yards with four touchdowns and a pair of interceptions.

The time in LA put Mayfield back on the map, and the Buccaneers struck a deal with him prior to the 2023 season to be the team’s starter.

The 2023 season for Tampa Bay started off rough but they finished the year with five wins in the last six games to finish 9-8 and earn a playoff spot. It’s a far cry from the Super Bowl-winning days with Brady behind center, but still a step in the right direction despite all of the changes for the organization after the last few years.

If they want to return to the playoffs in 2024, Mayfield’s confidence is going to be a big factor, and there is reason to believe he takes another step forward.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: