What's behind Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield's early-season revival?
No one thought Baker Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes would be in the same conversation this season, but here we are.
The Buccaneers QB has shocked the world, remaining undefeated with zero turnovers through two weeks. Mayfield leads the NFL in third-down completion percentage (87%) and ranks behind only Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa (90.9) and Chiefs star Mahomes (83.0) as Pro Football Focus's third-highest graded QB (82.6).
Most counted Mayfield and the Bucs out this year, presuming the one-year deal was a disguise for a post-Tom Brady tanking season. Among other critics, NFL writer Peter King predicted Tampa Bay would only win twice this season, a statement he's since had to swallow.
The concerns were fair. Even with the GOAT last season, the Bucs finished 8-9 with one of the least efficient offenses. Replacing Brady with a guy who's bounced around four teams the past three seasons wasn't necessarily compelling.
Mayfield used it all as motivation, fueling the chip on his shoulder that's saving his career.
The former Heisman Trophy winner's revival is a result of his new team leaning on his strengths and, more importantly, avoiding his weaknesses.
Mayfield has infamously struggled with turnovers, amassing 64 interceptions and 15 fumbles lost in his career. New Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Dave Canales has thus relied on his QB sparingly, rushing the ball 67 times through two games and dumping a substantial workload on second-year RB Rachaad White.
Mayfield is also comfortable with not being the team's star player, allowing veteran WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to shine in those roles. He's attributed much of his third-down success to those two receivers.
"My job is to distribute the ball to those guys and let them do all the work," Mayfield told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
It also helps that Tampa Bay's defense has been elite, holding the Vikings and Bears to 17 points each and only 605 total offensive yards. Allowing the Bucs to stay ahead on the scoreboard only further takes pressure off Mayfield.
The biggest test will come on Monday night against the Eagles, but Mayfield and the Bucs have surely exceeded expectations so far.
More must-reads: