Entering the 2023 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ expectations were incredibly low, in contrast to the preceding three seasons under Tom Brady‘s leadership.
Despite having Brady at the head of the offense, the Bucs’ season ended with a dismal 8-9 record. Although it was sufficient to win the unfortunate NFC South, the Dallas Cowboys ultimately defeated them in the NFC Wild Card Round.
Baker Mayfield, a journeyman, signed a one-year contract with Tampa in free agency, but no one could have predicted that the 2018 first overall pick would have a career year.
As it turns out, Mayfield has excelled at the highest level while playing for the Bucs, leading them to the brink of an NFC South division championship.
Additionally, in an interview with Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Buccaneers star offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs highlighted an intriguing distinction between his connections with Brady and Mayfield:
“I had a relationship with Tom, but it wasn’t like the relationship I have with Bake. It’s just different. It’s hard to explain, you know? Tom was like more of a — not a coach — but as a 21-year-old kid seeing Tom Brady (in 2020), that’s how I looked at him. I’m not going to go out and have beers with Tom, you know? So it’s just a little bit different in that regard.”
ICYMI: “I had a relationship with Tom (Brady), but it wasn’t like the relationship I have with Baker,” Tristan Wirfs said. “…I’m not going to go out and have beers with Tom, you know?” Relatable Baker Mayfield was perfect QB to follow Tom Brady with Bucs https://t.co/nJ8UKNsgId
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) December 30, 2023
If the Buccaneers defeat New Orleans on Sunday, Mayfield can cap off his spectacular year by winning the division title for the third time in a row.
