Baker Mayfield’s journey in the NFL has not revealed as he might have hoped. It’s uncommon for a former No. 1 pick to struggle to secure a long-term spot while still in his prime, but Mayfield seems to have finally found stability with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In a conversation with PFT, the ex-Cleveland Browns quarterback expressed his desire to remain with the Buccaneers, stating, “I would love that. God’s got a plan for me. If we win games, that all should take care of itself, but I’m going to enjoy this one and then onto the next.
We control our destiny, so it’s a one-game-at-a-time mentality.” After joining Todd Bowles’ team on a one-year deal, Mayfield wasn’t guaranteed the starting role but has since proven his value.
Although he was briefly in the MVP conversation early in the season when the Buccaneers started strong, those hopes dimmed as the team’s performance dipped. Despite their struggles, Tampa Bay has exceeded expectations, with Mayfield continuing to play with a chip on his shoulder.
As the season winds down, the Buccaneers face matchups against the Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, and Carolina Panthers, aiming to claim the top spot in the NFC South.
The division remains a tight race, with the Buccaneers, Saints, and Atlanta Falcons sharing identical records with just four games remaining. Remarkably, Tampa Bay might be the only team in the division capable of making noise in the postseason.
Considering Mayfield’s tumultuous path, which included playing for three teams just a year ago, he deserves recognition for his resilience and ability to overcome challenges.
