Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield talks 'fresh starts' he and Lions' Jared Goff needed

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield knows plenty about Detroit Lions starter Jared Goff's career journey heading into this Sunday's matchup between the clubs. 

"Jared is a stud — coming from somebody that needed a fresh start, as well," Mayfield said about Goff while speaking with reporters on Wednesday, per the Buccaneers' website. "I think he's playing really well. I think you can tell his leadership and all of the [reasons] why he got chosen that high — he's truly showing that now." 

Mayfield entered the NFL when the Browns made him the first overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft but was replaced when Cleveland acquired Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans in March 2022. The 28-year-old later failed to find long-term homes with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams. But he's guided the Buccaneers to a 3-1 start after he signed a one-year contract with the franchise this past March. 

Goff, meanwhile, joined the Rams as the first overall pick of the 2016 draft and played for that club through the 2020 season until Los Angeles officially landed Matthew Stafford from Detroit in March 2021. With Goff leading the offense, the Lions are at 4-1 ahead of this Sunday's game held at Tampa Bay's Raymond James Stadium.

According to ESPN stats, Goff ended Week 5 of the campaign ranked fifth in the NFL among qualified players with a 71.2 adjusted QBR and sixth with a 104.4 passer rating. To compare, Mayfield is sixth with a 70.1 adjusted QBR and eighth with a 101.5 passer rating. 

"Not every fit is perfect," Mayfield added during his comments about Goff. "For him, I think his confidence continued to grow and he's got all the tools you want — tall guy, he's got a good arm, really, really smart. He's able to make plays. The sneaky thing about his game is his play-action, all his fakes and stuff — he's really, really good at that. He's almost got it down to a science. I love his game. He's a good guy, too."

As of Wednesday evening, OddsChecker listed the Lions as three-and-a-half-point favorites for Sunday's encounter. Regardless of the result, Mayfield and Goff should have plenty to discuss during a postgame meet-up.