When Tom Brady retired for a second and final time, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were left as an afterthought in NFL circles.
Without Brady under center, most ruled out the Buccaneers from being a competitive team in 2023 despite the talent remaining on the roster.
So far, Tampa Bay has made those doubters look silly as they’re currently 3-1 on the season and leading the NFC South.
During training camp, there was an open question as to whether or not Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask would take over for Brady as the team’s starting quarterback.
Ultimately, Mayfield won the job and has been doing well for himself through four weeks.
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht has been impressed with Mayfield and even said that he is viewed as a leader in the locker room via Peter Schrager of FOX.
“Baker is a dude and the players saw it right away,” Licht said.
#Bucs GM Jason Licht on QB Baker Mayfield as a leader of the 3-1 Buccaneers: “Baker is a DUDE and the players saw it right away.”, he told @PSchrags
“Baker took the OL to the Bahamas during camp after final cuts to golf. He’s spotted around town at dive bars with receivers,… https://t.co/2NUkLQSMtC pic.twitter.com/FoKT1zpdif
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 4, 2023
Mayfield has been maligned during his NFL career as he flamed out with the Cleveland Browns and followed it up with a lackluster stint with the Carolina Panthers.
However, Mayfield resuscitated his career with the Los Angeles Rams in the second half of the last season and has been able to build off that momentum in Tampa Bay.
The former number-one overall pick has shown good poise and command of the offense and has had plenty of success to throwing to Mike Evans who is also having a great year.
Mayfield may have been the butt of numerous jokes over the years, but he’s got the Buccaneers rolling right now.
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