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Ex Bucs Coach Jon Gruden Praises Baker Mayfield

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Timm Hamm | Last updated Nov 25, 2024 1:23 PM ET

While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have endured somewhat of a roller-coaster season in 2024, one steady factor in the resurgent offense has been quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Mayfield was an integral part of the Bucs' 30-7 win over the New York Giants on Sunday, highlighted by a 10-yard touchdown run that saw the former Heisman Trophy winner get hit by two defenders, launching him into the air and over the goal line in a dramatic touchdown.

Mayfield went 24-of-30 for 294 yards against the Giants as the Buccaneers ended a four-game losing streak.

Former Bucs coach Jon Gruden was apparently watching, and noted how impressed he's been with Mayfield on his social media.

"Baker is a premier competitor," Gruden posted on X. "He [launches] himself for a TD, he makes terrific scramble plays, and he wills it out of his teammates. He's a fireball."

Gruden would know a little something about winning - and quarterbacks. he coached the Bucs from 2002-2008 and won Super Bowl XXXVII his first season with Tampa Bay.

As for Mayfield, he and the Buccaneers are a mere game behind the Atlanta Falcons for the NFC South lead, with important divisional games still ahead on the schedule.

Mayfield is coming off his best season as a pro, completing 364 of 566 passes, a career-best 64.3 completion percentage, with 28 touchdowns to just 10 interceptions, leading the Bucs to their third consecutive division crown. The former Oklahoma Sooner and Texas Tech Red Raider also posted a career-high 4,044 yards.

This season, he's been even better from an efficiency standpoint, posting a completion percentage of 71.4 through 11 games. He's also on pace to better his touchdown number from a season ago, with 24 already with nine interceptions.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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