Colin Cowherd Has Finally Changed His Stance On Baker Mayfield

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Sep 16, 2025 7:27 PM ET

Not even Colin Cowherd could come up with anything negative to say about Baker Mayfield after Monday night's comeback win.

Mayfield led a game-winning drive for the second straight week to complete a 20-19 victory over the Houston Texans. The former No. 1 pick has followed a 4,500-yard season by posting a 75.4 QBR through two gutsy Tampa Bay Buccaneers triumphs.

Cowherd was once one of Mayfield's most vocal critics, calling the quarterback "undraftable" out of Oklahoma and famously bashing him for wearing a cap backwards. Yet the Fox Sports pundit sang a far different tune about the 30-year-old.

"Since he arrived in Tampa, he's got the most passing touchdowns. He's top five or six in everything else," Cowherd said on Tuesday's The Herd. "That inner turmoil, it's gone. He's got a certain quiet resolve and confidence and peace about him. It is perfect."

Mayfield has won over Cowherd

Cowherd described him and Mayfield as "frenemies," noting that the two-time Pro Bowler rejected an offer to join his podcasting network. But he insisted he holds no grudge and would still welcome Mayfield on his show.

While Cowherd felt the Cleveland Browns were a poor fit for Mayfield, Tampa Bay represents a "sleepy" market with less pressure from fans and the media. Cowherd also thinks head coach Todd Bowles and some of Mayfield's more reserved teammates are better complements to the fiery signal-caller.

After getting jettisoned by Cleveland, Mayfield spent brief stints with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams before joining the Buccaneers in 2023. He'd led the team to two NFC South titles, earning a $100 million contract in the process.

"Remember when he signed there, it was a one-year, prove-it deal," Cowherd recalled. "That feels like a decade ago. This is his team, his town, his city, his locker room, his division. It feels perfect."

While he hasn't always loved Mayfield, Cowherd celebrated Mayfield getting up and trash-talking Texans safety C. J. Gardner-Johnson after picking up the first down on a 3rd-and-10 run despite appearing to hurt his ankle. Cowherd predicted more success for Mayfield and the Buccaneers this season.

"They're going to win the division again," Cowherd said. "And Baker's the reason why."

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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