Well-known QB guru shares why Baker Mayfield is perfect for Buccaneers

Former NFL signal-caller and current quarterback trainer/coach Jordan Palmer is close with Tampa Bay Buccaneers starter Baker Mayfield and explained why Mayfield may be an ideal long-term replacement for retired living legend Tom Brady. 

"I always say there’s a couple of universal languages in an NFL locker room," Palmer recently told Scott Thompson of Fox News Digital. "Toughness is one of them ... We speak toughness. Work ethic, that’s a universal language. And then making plays. We need you to make this block, we need you to run your lane in kickoff, we need you to get this stop, we need you to make this throw. I see Baker as a tough, hard-working guy who’s making plays, and that’s universal language to speak to any guy in the locker room."

Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht offered similar comments about Mayfield last week after the 28-year-old guided the club to a 3-1 start and impressed coaches and teammates with his willingness to welcome contact while making plays with his legs during games. 

According to ESPN stats, Mayfield begins Week 6 of the campaign ranked sixth in the NFL among qualified players with a 70.1 adjusted QBR and eighth with a 101.5 passer rating. He tossed seven touchdown passes and two interceptions over Tampa Bay's first four games before the club's bye. 

Mayfield and other Buccaneers players repeatedly made it known this summer they were using predictions about the club's supposed demise following Brady's retirement as bulletin board material. 

Being doubted by so many is nothing new for Mayfield, the first overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft who previously lost starting jobs with the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers before he enjoyed a cup-of-coffee stint with the Los Angeles Rams late last season. 

"Because when he’s counted out, and somebody says, 'This is your last chance,' he’s pretty good," Palmer said about Mayfield. "He’s really good." 

The rested Buccaneers next host the 4-1 Detroit Lions this coming Sunday. OddsChecker listed Tampa Bay as a three-point underdog for that contest as of Tuesday afternoon, and history suggests Mayfield and his teammates will be tracking that line through the weekend.