When looking at the improbable journey Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield has been on in the NFL, I am reminded of a viral clip of actor Paul Rudd appearing on the series Hot Ones.

“‘Hey, look at us, look at us!'” Rudd says. “‘Who would have thought? Not me!'”

That accurately sums up where Mayfield and Tampa Bay stand two weeks into the regular season. Off the heels of a 20-16 win over the Lions, nearly no one thought the team would return to town looking to dig in and get off to a 3-0 start.

To get to this point, Baker Mayfield has been leading the charge and quickly changing the minds of those who once doubted his ability to be a starting quarterback. As he captains the ship of a gritty ballclub, the tide is starting to turn in his favor.

GMFB’s Peter Schrager: “I Like That Baker Took The Road Less Traveled”

During a recent segment on Good Morning Football, NFL Network’s Peter Schrager discussed how his mind has changed on Baker Mayfield.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

“I love Baker, and you know what, I wasn’t the biggest Baker fan that first year [with the Browns] when he was given the world,” Schrager said. “Every endorsement, all over the place, and then of course put in the NFL 100 commercial after one season, which was like the ultimate honor. He and [Tom] Brady hanging out. I kind of like that Baker took the road less traveled.”

Schrager then went on to say if there is one player in the league he could have dinner with right now, it’s Mayfield.

With Mayfield’s play beginning to match the lofty expectations he had coming out of Oklahoma, he has won over the likes of Schrager and countless others around the industry.

Legendary NFL head coach Bill Belichick is not known for being someone who heaps a ton of praise, but even he recently admitted his admiration for the resurgent signal-caller.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith Calls Baker Mayfield A Top-10 QB “Right Now”

Love or hate him, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is one of the biggest sports media personalities around. Known for his hot takes (that can be outlandish at times), the one he recently had about Baker Mayfield was not.

When asked on First Take whether Mayfield was a top-10 quarterback, here is what Smith said.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

Accomplished former NFL quarterback turned ESPN analyst Alex Smith discussed before the Bucs-Lions game that he felt Tampa Bay could pull it off because of the guy under center.

“If you turn on the film from Week 1, if we had to name an MVP from Week 1, it was Baker Mayfield,” Smith said. “He looked unbelievable. This was the most decisive player I’ve seen — [the] most decisive Baker Mayfield I’ve seen in his entire career. The ball was coming out so fast, chunk play after chunk play. He was unbelievable in situational football. In the red zone, threw four touchdowns. On third down, made some great plays with his feet.

“The thing I’m excited about honestly was — they lost their offensive coordinator in [Dave] Canales going to the Panthers. I think a little bit, this was addition by subtraction. I love that they brought in Liam Coen. He was with Baker at the Rams when he had his stint in LA. I think this is such a good fit. I think they go up there and have a chance to win this thing outright.”

Smith was right.

The “Smartest Play” In Week 2? Baker Mayfield’s Gritty Touchdown Run

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

Baker Mayfield was not as flashy against the Lions as was facing the Commanders, but he still got the job done by making some timely plays.

Kay Adams, host of the Up & Adams show, had former Panthers linebacker Luke Keuchly on as a guest Monday. Adams asked Keuchly what the smartest play was in Week 2, and he discussed one such play.

Mayfield’s designed quarterback draw in the third quarter which resulted in an 11-yard touchdown as Tampa Bay quickly reclaimed the lead over Detroit. His breakdown is worth watching.

The 33rd Team’s Sam Monson summarized what it’s like watching Mayfield to the tee.

“There’s something about him that’s underdog Rocky-like that you want to root for, right?” Monson said. “Going up against Apollo Creed.”

Monson went on.

“You always feel like he’s just about to do something crazy… Baker’s got that even when he’s dialed in and in the zone.”

You will not catch Baker Mayfield throwing punches, but he helped deliver a knockout blow to the Lions that has sent shockwaves throughout the NFL and has put people on notice. People who once cast doubt are now along for the ride, and what a wild one it has been for a quarterback who has rode the waves to success with the Bucs.