Baker Mayfield “Honored” To Follow Bucs Legend Tom Brady
It can be a daunting challenge for a new quarterback to follow in the footsteps of a great one. But it can be quite intimidating when following in the footsteps of a legend, especially an icon like Tom Brady, who led the Bucs to a Super Bowl and back-to-back division championships in Tampa Bay. Yet, no challenge is too daunting for new Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield. No situation is too intimidating for the former Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick in 2018.
While humbled a bit by being on his fourth team in just one calendar year, Mayfield comes to Tampa Bay with plenty of swagger and enough self-confidence to follow Brady.
“Listen, I’m never going to be Tom Brady,” Mayfield said at his introductory press conference in Tampa on Monday. “There’s a reason he has won so many Super Bowls – he’s the greatest of all time, there’s no doubt about that. I’m not going to try and be Tom, I’m going to be me – that’s what’s gotten me to this point.
“We’re going to do it differently, but that’s what makes this league so special – everybody puts their own touch on it. It’s an honor to follow up somebody like that. The people that have played with him around here, I’m going to pick their brains as to the things he did – there’s no doubt about that. I’m excited. Like I said, it’s an organization that’s seen success and following a guy like that is special.”
One thing Mayfield and Brady have in common is the fact that both quarterbacks had a talented receiving corps to throw to in Tampa Bay. Having the chance to play with a pair of 1,000-yard receivers like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, who have five Pro Bowl appearances between them, is what helped draw Mayfield to the Bucs.
“Any time you get to play with playmakers like that, it obviously makes your job easier,” Mayfield said. “They’re so experienced and they’ve seen a lot as well, so I’m excited to get the opportunity to get to play with them and Russell [Gage Jr.] as well. Obviously him sticking around was a big decision for him. I’m eager to get to know those guys and work together.”
Baker Mayfield Is Excited To Learn Dave Canales’ System
Baker Mayfield was drafted with the first overall pick in 2018 and became the face of the Cleveland franchise. In 2020, he helped the Browns back to the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Cleveland expected Mayfield’s arm to carry the offense, and he didn’t have a whole lot of talented weapons to throw to. Throw in four different head coaches in four years and it’s no wonder Mayfield struggled to find consistent success in Cleveland.
Mayfield spent the 2022 season in Carolina after the Panthers acquired him in a trade over the summer, and then in Los Angeles after the Rams claimed him off waivers in December. Mayfield is now on his seventh offensive coordinator in Dave Canales, Tampa Bay’s new play-caller. After meeting with Canales, Mayfield came away impressed with his vision for the offense and his role in it as the quarterback.
“In my short term of knowing Dave so far, just realizing who he is, how he’s going to tailor the offense to his playmakers – to me, that speaks volumes,” Mayfield said. “You find a lot of guys that want to just run their system without really trying to play to the attributes of their players and that’s not Dave.
“I’m excited about it – he’s eager to see how his philosophy is going to affect the guys around here and that’s the best part about it. This is the time for growth and to learn what type of team you’re going to be – then when you put the pads on, it really comes to fruition. I’m excited and he’s open-minded as well.”
Although he only spent a few weeks at the end of the season in the Rams offense, Mayfield said there could be some carry-over into the new Bucs offense. Canales is bringing the Seattle playbook and scheme to Tampa Bay. Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron spent time with Sean McVay in L.A. and incorporated a lot of what the Rams like to do offensively with running multiple plays out of just a few different formations.
“I think there’s a possibility of that, yes,” Mayfield said. “Terminology-wise, I think there’s some similarities. Definitely, scheme-wise, trying to relate it to that. Like I said, that’s the beauty of this part of the year when you’re installing a new offense. How is it going to be tailored to your playmakers? It can become whatever. I know we’re going to emphasize the run game, just talking to those guys – you’ve got to be able to run it to win in this league. We’re going to go from there and see whatever happens.”
Baker Mayfield Isn’t Shying Away From Competing For The Right To Follow Tom Brady In Tampa
Baker Mayfield comes in at the ground floor of the new playbook installation. He’s on a level playing field with the quarterback he’ll be competing with for the starting job, third-year QB Kyle Trask. Mayfield is looking forward to the competition.
“I have not spoken to Kyle yet,” Mayfield said. “I just watched him over the years through the college stuff. I’ve always been a big fan – I thought he was really talented coming out. I’m excited for it – to me, competition brings the best out in everybody. I’ve always believed that.
“That’s true for all sports – it teaches you how to compete, it teaches you how to win and lose the right way, and there’s learning processes along the way. I think Kyle and I are going to push each other no matter what happens and I think we’re going to make the most of it.”
Mayfield is ready to make the most of his opportunity in Tampa Bay and is embracing the chance to be the guy who follows Brady – not backing down from it.
