Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield put himself firmly back on the map in 2023 by leading the team to a 9-8 record while convincingly having his best season in the NFL so far. Recently, that has caught the eye of opposing players and ESPN anchors alike. Robert Griffin III is the latest to chime in on the season Mayfield had, one that will see him get a nice payday within the next month.
RGIII: Baker Mayfield “Planted His Flag In Tampa” In 2023
On Wednesday afternoon, former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III took to X to discuss the season that Baker Mayfield had with the Bucs and how it compared to his previous play.
Amid the happenings with the NFL Combine, it was not an incoming prospect that RGIII was watching film of. Instead, he took the time to talk about Mayfield. While there was talk this season of “letting Baker bake,” Griffin said Mayfield “cooked.”
“Watched all the tape on Baker Mayfield from the past 2 years and he had more fun while playing more efficiently than he ever has, Griffin III said. “He COOKED with career highs in passing yards and TDs because he let the scheme win for him instead of trying to show off cooking hibachi style.”
Although he may not have cooked “hibachi style,” Mayfield stayed poised in the pocket throughout the season and kept Tampa Bay in ball games. When needed, he stepped up on more than one occasion while also proving why he should be the guy going forward.
“His feet were in lock step with the concepts, his accuracy was back and consistent, his confidence to take risks and make big boy throws when needed was better than ever and his effectiveness on 3rd downs was highlighted by his anticipation when under duress,” Griffin added. “He planted his flag in Tampa and the Buccaneers need to make him their guy.”
GM Jason Licht: “It Was A Perfect Marriage” Between Bucs, Baker Mayfield
Based on what Bucs general manager Jason Licht had to say to the local media on Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, it sounds like there’s a strong desire between both the Bucs and Baker Mayfield to get a new deal done. Tampa Bay seems set to ride into 2024 with the Mayfield era continuing strong.
“Baker meant a lot to this team, fanbase, and this town,” Licht said. “I think we meant a lot to him and I think it was a perfect marriage. I think I’ve said before, he sought us out and he gambled on us. He saw it as a good situation, he saw it better than a lot of national people saw us winning two games.
“He thought it would be good for him and it certainly was. I know he wants to be a Buc, we want him to be a Buc, so that’s usually a good starting point.”
Mayfield needed a chance to revive his career in 2023, and he found that chance in Tampa. He made the most of it, throwing for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. The former No. 1 overall pick in 2018 also threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns in both playoff games, and he earned MVP honors when he made the Pro Bowl Games as a replacement.
While the contract will still need to be fully worked out, it is something that both sides have started to talk about. Mayfield is on track to run it back with the Bucs and will look to continue to bake – and cook – in 2024 and beyond.
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