So far, the decision to bring in Baker Mayfield has paid dividends for the Bucs. Although it is still early in the season, Mayfield has looked the best that he ever has. The question of whether he is a Pro Bowl-caliber signal-caller has also come up.

Simply put, when he is playing confidently and believes in himself and the guys around him, he is a dangerous quarterback. This past Friday, he appeared on the Pat McAfee Show to talk about his satisfaction playing with the Bucs and making the most of his opportunity.

Baker Mayfield Is “Loving” How It Has Worked Out With The Bucs

Bucs OC Dave Canales and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

A big element of the Bucs surprising out of the gate and playing impressive complementary football is because of the play of quarterback Baker Mayfield. For him, he is enjoying playing for an organization that is all about football.

“I’m loving it,” Mayfield said on playing in Tampa Bay. “I mean, I think that’s an understatement. It’s a great organization, the people are great. They know how to win. They know that it’s all about winning. So I’m having fun again, I was telling people – it kind of reminds me back in Oklahoma. Just get the best guys on the field. It’s all about football, no BS, and let’s just get after it.”

Noting that he thinks back to his Oklahoma days being on the Bucs is a positive sign as the Sooners’ version of Baker Mayfield was a sight to see. From 2015-2017, he finished in the top five in Heisman voting each season and made the team must-watch College Football. After having gone through some hurdles during his stops with the Browns, Panthers, and Rams, he feels like that has given him a different view on being a leader and learning from his mistakes.

“I feel the same way,” Mayfield added about if he feels like his best self now. “I think all the mistakes and things that I’ve gone through – a lot of them self-inflicted. There are opportunities to learn and grow from it, and so just making the most of this opportunity with the guys down in Tampa. I’m loving it, and that’s not fake.”

Baker Mayfield Opens Up About “Confusing” End With Browns

Former Browns QB Baker Mayfield and Browns CB Denzel Ward – Photo by: USA Today

For Baker Mayfield, recapturing his success comes after an unexpected and disappointing end in Cleveland. After Mayfield was anointed as a franchise savior of a winless team, he entered the league with sky-high expectations. Ones that while at one point he met guiding the Browns to the playoffs, it all dissolved and ended on a confusing note to Mayfield. After he was traded away, he had to fasten his seatbelt for the wild ride to come.

“I think I’m still confused too,” Mayfield said. “I think towards the end there, I played 2021 with a pretty much torn-apart shoulder and I was excited to get the surgery, get healthy, and get another shot to try and get back to that 2020 form. That wasn’t their plan, and I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.

“Now the rollercoaster I went on after that was a little bit nuts for me. It gave me a good perspective. Being in Carolina trying to be a good mentor to a couple of guys and just a different perspective – taking a step back, being a good leader. Also at the same time going to LA, it was like, ‘Alright, we’re looking at each other, I got a five-game season here. Let’s make the most of it and pad the resume.’

After his rookie season in 2019, Mayfield got a tattoo on his left wrist that says: “Believe in yourself.” Even through the ups and downs of his NFL career, and times where he questioned if he could lead an NFL team to success, he is no longer letting any internal doubts negatively affect him or his play. “There was always a lot of pressure [in Cleveland], but trying to navigate it myself, I think I learned a lot of valuable lessons. There were definitely doubts, there were time periods where I was second-guessing.”

Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Made Signing With Bucs Easy For Baker Mayfield

When Baker Mayfield was asked about the decision to ink a one-year, $4 million contract with the Bucs, there was no second-guessing the two star wide receivers he now gets the chance to throw the ball to.

Bucs WR Mike Evans, OC Dave Canales, and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“That was a big deciding factor for me,” Mayfield said of playing with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. “Those guys are studs man. Two of the best to ever do it, and just seeing them in person, they’re so much fun to watch. The work ethic and the talent speaks for itself, but seeing how meticulous they are about their craft, it’s fun to watch.”

Not only is there plenty of talent on offense but the Bucs quarterback was blown away after seeing one of the defense’s longtime standouts up close. “Early on during OTAs and stuff when we’re competing with each other, I think I started to realize the talent that we really had. Mandatory mini-camp came around, and I think it was my first time seeing Lavonte David play in person, how he was shooting the gaps. I was like, ‘Sh-t, we’re going to be pretty damn good.’ It happened pretty quickly.”

A lot has happened quickly for Baker Mayfield in his NFL career, but he has had the chance to take the bye week to analyze the start of his time with the Bucs. This season has allowed Mayfield to play more freely and confidently in a system that caters to his strengths, and he has only worked on refining his strengths as a player, leader, and person.