Few quarterbacks have endured what Buccaneers signal caller Baker Mayfield has and emerged stronger on the other side.
After being sidelined by injury and replaced with the Cleveland Browns, where he was once the No. 1 overall pick, Mayfield found himself searching for a new team before joining the Carolina Panthers.
Mayfield’s stint with the Carolina Panthers also fell short, ending in his release. He then joined the Los Angeles Rams, where he showed glimmers of promise, hinting at a possible resurgence.
After a rollercoaster 2022 season, Mayfield got a fresh start with the Buccaneers on a one-year deal, giving him a chance to prove himself as an NFL starter.
Mayfield delivered, earning a contract extension. He’s since maintained strong play with the Buccaneers, leading the team to the playoffs each season, and capped it off with a career-best 2024 season.
Heading into 2025, Mayfield aims to lead the Buccaneers on a deep playoff run, quietly building MVP momentum. After last week’s minicamp, outside linebacker Haason Reddick, one of the team’s newest additions, shared his impressions of Mayfield with the media.
“A warrior. A hard-fought guy. I respect Baker a lot because he’s another person in this league that has had ups and downs and continues to strive to be as great as he wants to be or continues to strive for greatness.” Reddick stated. “I have tremendous respect for him, I love his game. I do think he has a warrior’s mentality and I think he’s one of the QBs in this league that’s on the more physical end.”
Reddick and Mayfield share similar career trajectories, both experiencing early success before hitting roadblocks. While Mayfield’s setbacks were largely beyond his control, Reddick’s recent struggles stemmed partly from his decision to hold out for a big contract with the New York Jets last season.
As Mayfield did, Reddick is looking to revitalize his career. With a track record of double-digit sacks across multiple teams, Reddick’s past success should boost confidence in his ability to repeat that performance with the Buccaneers in 2025.
Reddick and Mayfield will butt heads in training camp this July, but once the season starts, they’ll become each other’s biggest supporters.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!