Legendary Super Bowl-winning head coach and Bucs Ring of Honor member Bruce Arians is known as “the quarterback whisperer.” He’s played a role in developing the likes of Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck and Ben Roethlisberger during coaching stops in Indianapolis and Pittsburgh, and worked with Tom Brady for two seasons in Tampa Bay before retiring in 2022.

While he’s never worked with Baker Mayfield, it’s safe to say that Arians is quite fond of the current Buccaneers quarterback.

Arians has always looked for more than just the arm talent and the skillset of a quarterback. He wants to know “what’s between the ears,” as Arians likes to say, referring to a player’s football I.Q. Arians also likes to know a player’s willingness to compete and win, as well as his overall toughness. These are the exact traits that has defined Mayfield’s game in the NFL, particularly over the last three seasons in Tampa Bay.

Bucs senior football consultant Bruce Arians – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Bruce Arians Loves Bucs QB Baker Mayfield’s Grit, But Also Has Some Sage Advice

That’s why this didn’t come as the biggest surprise when Arians identified the trait he likes the most about Baker Mayfield.

“His grit,” Arians said while appearing on the Pewter Report Podcast on Tuesday. “Everything about him. He’s one of the most accurate guys we ever evaluated coming out of college. Had high, high grades on him. I was with CBS when he was a rookie and went up and did a couple of his games. The way he practices, the enthusiasm he brings to a Friday practice is amazing. I’ve always loved him.

“I thought he was a great replacement – it’s not easy to walk in and take Tom Brady’s place. But the one guy that could do it – mentally and physically tough enough – is Baker.”

There has been much conversation over the past two seasons about Mayfield’s devil-may-care style of play. His daring scrambles are entertaining and his bold nature to take off and run and sometimes dive for first downs make him easy to root for. But he also has put his body in harm’s way, causing some inefficient performances, especially during the 2025 season when his injuries piled up.

The 31-year old Mayfield didn’t love getting asked about if he had to tweak his playing style as he gets older while at mini-camp, and defended his sometimes reckless scrambling ability.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

“I’ve started every single game for three years,” Mayfield said a week ago. “I don’t know if that should ever be a question.”

Technically, Mayfield is correct. He has started every game since arriving in Tampa Bay in 2023. But the accumulation of injuries undoubtedly impacted his performance at times. Look at his sprained ankle at the end of the 2023 season when the Buccaneers won 9-0 at Carolina in Week 18 to clinch the division. That wasn’t exactly a vintage Mayfield performance.

Then Mayfield had an early exit in the 2025 regular season game against the Rams and was seen wearing a sling afterwards. He continued to play the rest of the season, but Tampa Bay won just two out of its last six games of the year.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR

It’s very important that Mayfield remains upright and healthy for the entire 2026 season. Not just being available to play, but playing at a high level.

Arians shared some thoughts about how Mayfield should approach scrambling and protecting his body in the 2026 season.

“Don’t let them in there to hit him,” Arians said. “When he’s running, he thinks he’s a fullback. The first time I talked to him I said, ‘Look, do we need to put bigger shoulder pads on your ass or what?’ Just be a little smarter about taking some of these hits. You’ve already won this whole town over. You don’t have to show anybody how tough you are anymore. We know you’re tough – just be smarter. Never scared, just smarter, never scared.”

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Nathan Ray Seebeck

Bruce Arians Weighs In On Baker Mayfield’s Contract Situation

The other big story line regarding Baker Mayfield is of course his self-imposed deadline for his contract extension. He’s given the Buccaneers until a the start of training camp to get a deal done. If not, he’s playing on the last year of his deal and then they’ll address those conversations again in the offseason prior to free agency.

Is there cause for concern? Arians is confident that this won’t be a problem or a distraction before the start of the season.

Bucs head coach Bruce Arians – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I don’t think there’s any concern,” Arians said. “It’s just a matter of business. Everybody wants to get the right thing for them. The club wants to get the right thing for them. Baker wants to get the right thing for him and his family. Yeah, I think it’ll work out, and the same with Vita [Vea’s contract].”

Arians joined the Pewter Report Podcast for over 4o minutes on the episode this week. Check out our whole interview with him and subscribe to our PewterReportTV YouTube channel.