How Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield motivates teammate K.J. Britt

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker K.J. Britt revealed during a recent appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio how quarterback Baker Mayfield inspires others within the locker room to be better versions of themselves.

"Baker motivates me," Britt told show host Pat Kirwan, per the JoeBucsFan website. "I talk to Baker every day. That’s one of my close friends. You know, we talk all the time."

The Cleveland Browns made Mayfield the first pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, but that club controversially replaced him by acquiring Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans in March 2022. Mayfield lasted less than one full season with the Carolina Panthers before they parted ways with him in December 2022, and he later signed a one-year "prove it" contract with Tampa Bay in March 2023.

Many believed last summer that Tampa Bay would plummet toward the bottom of the league standings following the retirement of Tom Brady, but Mayfield guided the club to the division title and a home playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles. This past March, he agreed to a three-year contract that has a maximum value of $115M and $50M guaranteed to stay with the Buccaneers.

"But Baker, just knowing his story, and I tell him all the time, 'You motivate me, and you’re always against the odds,'" Britt continued. "And that’s the beauty of this sport. The beauty of this sport is there’s always room for football players. You know, there’s always room for guys that might not look like this [or might not look like that], but there’s always room for football players."

Members of the Buccaneers seemingly understand that the club is once again viewed as an underdog after the Atlanta Falcons signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency. As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Falcons as the betting favorites at -115 odds to claim the NFC South division title for the 2024 season. Tampa Bay was at +310 odds.

Much has been made about how Mayfield proved to be the right quarterback to follow in Brady's footsteps with the Buccaneers. Britt suggested that Tampa Bay's current QB1 isn't satisfied after he received some additional financial security this offseason.

"And just watching Baker…just watching him just keeping his head down and work, it’s motivating," Britt added. "You know, he’s a great guy to be around. He’s a great leader. You know, just his swagger, his presence, it’s all great to be around. So I tell him all the time, 'You motivate me, Baker. Keep doing what you’re doing. I’m watching.' You know what I’m saying? A lot of other guys are [watching], too."