Speaking at his youth football camp in Land O’Lakes, Fla. on Saturday, Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield spent time reflecting on the importance and impact of hosting the camp for the kids who attended. With it also happening just before Bucs training camp starts on Wednesday, July 24, Mayfield also spoke about the upcoming season and Tampa Bay’s chances to stay atop the NFC South in 2024.

Baker Mayfield Wants To See The Bucs Start Quicker And Put The Work In

Bucs OC Liam Coen and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

As the Bucs look to make the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, they will be attempting to do so coming off a 9-8 season in 2023 that was filled with ups and downs. Although they ended on a relatively high note reaching the postseason and making it to the divisional round, they navigated the lows and rocky waters to get there with a 4-7 record in late Novemeber.

Now in his second season under center, Baker Mayfield discussed what the team can carry over and build off, while also recognizing that 2024 is a fresh start.

“For us, obviously every season is different,” Mayfield said. “We had a lot of momentum last year, and I think it’s not just about – it’s not going to carry over. It’s about the mentality and the way we approach it I think is how you can actually carry that over and continue the chemistry.

“So for us, hitting the ground running and approaching it with that same mentality of, ‘Guys, we need to start faster and start better.’ Just so we’re not in the same predicament as last year having to win on the road just to make the playoffs and for the division. Having the mentality of starting quicker.”

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

While there are new pieces and it is a different team, the Bucs still have plenty of talent to repeat as NFC South division winners. As Mayfield stated, starting games quicker and putting points on the board will surely help. So will the work they have put in over the offseason and will continue to put in until they kickoff the regular season on September 8th against the Washington Commanders.

Tampa Bay is looking to keep the good times going, although they will have an up-and-coming team in the Falcons to compete with. Many expected things to come off the tracks last season, but the train did not stop although Tom Brady left the station after his retirement in 2022. Baker Mayfield took over his role as the conductor and will look to keep things chugging along this season.

“Yeah, I mean I joined in along that train that was already rolling – just got to keep it going,” Mayfield added. “For me, it’s the same thing though. One year doesn’t go to the next, but we have all the pieces. We have all the potential to be able to do that and there’s no doubt about it. Now it’s just about putting the work in and having success.”

Baker Mayfield Thinks Everything Will “Be Just Fine” With Tristan Wirfs

Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs, TE Ko Kieft and SS Kaevon Merriweather – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

One of the biggest storylines heading into training camp is not just how Baker Mayfield will look in his second year with the Bucs, but when his best friend and star left tackle Tristan Wirfs will be re-signed to a new deal. While talks are expected to resume this upcoming week as the team and player look to get things done and put contract talks behind them, Mayfield is optimistic that he will have his best offensive lineman suited up in front of him in short order.

“I think it’ll be just fine,” Mayfield said on how he views Wirfs’ contract situation. “I know those front office guys pretty well. They liked the guys they drafted and the homegrown talent that they evaluated. And they found a good one, so I don’t think they are going to let him go.”

While the Bucs have found a good one in Wirfs, they may also have found another in center Graham Barton. Selected in the first round by Tampa Bay, this week will be big in seeing how he looks out there in pads and going against some tough competition in nose tackle Vita Vea and defensive tackle Calijah Kancey.

Wirfs and Barton will make up two-fifths of the Bucs’ revamped offensive line, and Mayfield is bullish that the other three-fifths will be improved compared to last season.

“The best five are going to play,” Mayfield said about the offensive line. “Graham’s a stud. He wouldn’t have gotten drafted that high without that. It’s just, the best five are going to play, and we saw last year we had some guys rotate, too. I don’t think anybody expected Luke Goedeke to be playing the way he did at right tackle, but now we have two anchors at the tackle positions outside. Just firm it up and go from there, but we’ll be a lot better.”