Baker Mayfield claps back at Buccaneers doubters

Quarterback Baker Mayfield has heard and read predictions about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers allegedly embracing a so-called "soft tank" for the 2023 season. 

"I played in this division last year and I’m pretty sure the Bucs won it still," Mayfield said during a Tuesday news conference, per Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "So, I don’t really care what the Vegas people are putting odds on it because it’s May. We haven’t played a real snap of football. There’s a long way to go before that. It’s just the time of year where everybody’s pretty bored and they don’t really have much to talk about and it makes it fun."

Mayfield is right about the Tom Brady-led Buccaneers finishing atop the NFC South standings, but they did so with a record of 8-9 and the G.O.A.T. featuring at the sport's most important position. As of Tuesday afternoon, OddsChecker listed the 2023 Buccaneers as distant betting underdogs at +800 to win the division with either Mayfield or unproven 2021 second-round draft choice Kyle Trask starting at quarterback. 

In NFL power rankings published on May 8, NBC Sports' Peter King placed Tampa Bay at No. 31 ahead of only the Arizona Cardinals.

"Obviously, it’s a one-year deal," Mayfield said about the contract he signed with Tampa Bay in March. "And I'm just trying to make the most of it one day at a time. This is a great group that just seems like a no-B.S. squad that’s all about winning." 

The No. 1 pick of the 2018 draft added that the Buccaneers have "no distractions" and "no other nonsense" hovering over them after Brady's personal life generated numerous headlines from late last summer through the fall months. 

Buccaneers senior advisor Bruce Arians and offensive coordinator Dave Canales previously noted they love Mayfield's "moxie" and "swag." He displayed those traits on Tuesday but will have to walk the walk along with talking the talk when the competition versus Trask heats up this summer.