Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last year, everybody knows that Baker Mayfield had the career resurgence of all career resurgences last year with the Bucs. Naturally, we all want to know about what’s next. What will Mayfield do in Tampa Bay for an encore. And what does it mean for the Bucs and Tampa Bay’s expectations on the 2024 season.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

So far through the first couple days of training camp, the offense has looked great. That statement was backed up by the words of Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles after Friday’s practice and many of those who have been in attendance for Bucs training camp would agree.

Outside of a Hail Mary throw that was taken away by Jordan Whitehead, Mayfield didn’t even throw his first interception until Sunday. The offense has been thriving, and Mayfield has been at the focal point as to why.

“Baker has been great,” Bowles said. “He’s been getting the ball out with rhythm. He understands what he has to do. He gives it to the playmakers. He’s been in a good groove this early on – I really like that.”

Baker Mayfield coming to the Bucs has been more than a blessing. It was the best thing for Mayfield’s career and the only answer Tampa Bay had for who could handle taking the reins at quarterback after Tom Brady’s retirement. Mayfield was the right guy, and quickly becoming friends with several players on the team was a big and important reason for it.

Baker Mayfield Finally Has Stability

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

As much as the Bucs needed Baker Mayfield, he also needed the Bucs to the same degree. For all the time Mayfield spent with the Cleveland Browns, there were always coaches coming and going. Sometimes it was the head coach, and a majority of the time it was the offensive coordinator. All Baker Mayfield has been looking for in his career is stability.

He’s found it after a year in Tampa Bay.

“My NFL career, has it been what I want it to be? No,” Mayfield said. “But it’s gotten me to this point to where I signed a long-term deal. When I settle in, good things happen. I know how I am, I know how I operate. When I can truly dig my feet in to make a difference in the culture and the people around me and make people better – that’s when I’m at my best.

“I haven’t been in a place for very long without coaching changes in a long time. I go back to Oklahoma – four years was the longest point and then to Cleveland – but we still had coaching changes in and out at pretty much every year. It’s just different. I have no doubt in my mind.”

Bucs’ Bond Goes Beyond Football

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

A component of the Bucs’ offense playing so well is that they’re playing fast, loose, and relaxed. Playing a season together has done a lot for the group. They are confident in each other have tons of trust. While the playbook under Liam Coen is somewhat new, the foundation and chemistry is there and everybody knows what they’re doing. It’s translated to the field swimmingly.

“A lot of it has to do with the chemistry that we had last year, just understanding who each of us are as people – not just players,” Baker Mayfield said. “We enjoy playing for each other, and that has a lot to do with it. But also, we got on the same page in the spring like I just mentioned. So, we’re having fun, but this is a group [where] we know when to enjoy it, we know when to turn it on when it’s really serious, but when you’re having success, it’s a lot more fun.

“When you’re with a group that you want to play for, it’s definitely a lot more fun. For us, just keep enjoying it during some of these long days. Obviously, it’s early in [training] camp. During some of these long days in [training] camp, it’s going to get hard – continue to lean on each other and support each other. You’ve got to enjoy it.”

Mayfield passed for career highs with 4,044 yards with 28 touchdowns last year with only 10 interceptions. That stat line helped the Bucs win 10 games last year, including a home playoff win against Philadelphia, capture a third straight NFC South title and advance to the NFC Divisional playoffs.

Can those numbers improve? Yes.

Can the Bucswin even more games in 2024 as a result? Yes, that’s the goal – all due to the stability Baker Mayfield now has in Tampa Bay.