More than anyone, Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield has had this Sunday’s game against the Browns circled on his calendar since the 2026 NFL schedule was revealed. The excitement will be high at Raymond James Stadium for Tampa Bay’s home opener, but Mayfield has more on his mind heading into Week 2.

By now, everyone knows Mayfield’s career arc, going from Cleveland’s proclaimed savior to being cast off after the 2022 season. It took time for him to re-establish himself, and he shared Wednesday afternoon where his mind is at as he looks to bounce back and get some revenge on his former team.

Baker Mayfield Does Not Brush Off His History With The Browns

Before Baker Mayfield signed with the Bucs, he was molded by spending his first four seasons with the Browns.

During that span from 2018-2022, he was a different kind of quarterback and leader in the locker room. After struggling last week, especially with ball security, he has a win-at-all-costs mentality facing Cleveland.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

“Any time there is history between a franchise, a coaching staff, anybody, you want to come out on the winning side of that, no matter what,” Mayfield said. “Obviously, it’s very different there, staff-wise and everybody. Yeah, I spent four years there. Going into year four here, I started my career there; a lot of ups and downs. For me, this week, it’s doing the little things right. Continuing to try placing the ball where it needs to go. Making the corrections that I need to and ball security.”

Earlier in his career, Mayfield might have used his platform to strike back with more vicious remarks about the Browns organization. He has every right to hold vitriol for trading him to the Panthers and replacing him with Deshaun Watson. Now 31 years old with a secured home in Tampa Bay, he was visibly more upbeat about where he stands and putting his trust in the process.

“It goes back to faith,” Mayfield said. “Looking up and knowing that no matter what happens, I can control what I can control and do things the right way. I want to win as an ultra-competitor. That’s what you want to do at all times so — having trust in that, having faith in that. Taking it one day at a time.”

What Did Baker Mayfield Learn Most About His Time In Cleveland?

The Browns are a franchise long mired in mediocrity, with the only lull in dysfunction being Baker Mayfield’s time with the team.

After drafting him first overall in 2018, they made it to the playoffs in 2020 and had their first playoff win in over 25 years. It is no surprise that during Mayfield’s time there, he learned plenty about the ins and outs of the business of the NFL.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: IMAGN Images

“Football teaches you life lessons,” Mayfield said. “It’s how you handle adversity, how you get better, how you move forward. You can’t dwell on it. We still have 16 games to go.”

Those lessons often came in a negative light in Cleveland, but he reflected on the good memories from his time there, too.

“With any experience, there’s ups and downs, good and bad,” Mayfield said. “First time having a playoff win since ’94 there and going on the road and doing it in Pittsburgh. A lot of good memories there, a lot of teammates are friends for life. It’s a very different building now.”

After there were moments outside of his control at his first stop, he has since learned how to focus on football and staying the same person through every practice, film session, and game.

Bucs OC Zac Robinson and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“A lot of things,” Mayfield said when asked about his biggest learning lesson. “Probably the biggest one, trying to be the same person each and every day for the guys in the locker room. People you work with, the staff that you’re around each day. Some things are out of your control.

“If you’re trying to get it fixed, you’re not worried about the football aspects of your job — you’re probably letting some things slide and fall by the wayside. Controlling who I am each and every day, trying to lead the best way possible, control the offense, and ultimately win.”

Baker Mayfield had doubters then, and has them now after getting a three-year, $165 contract extension and struggling against the Bengals with a three-fumble performance. Mayfield has been there and done that when it comes to handling adversity, and all he can do to change the narrative is by stacking wins, bouncing back, and playing like the franchise quarterback he was paid to be.

He has the perfect opportunity to start doing that by getting a sweet form of revenge against the Browns.