Honestly, if you told a Cleveland Browns fan back in 2021 that Baker Mayfield would be out-passing half the league in 2026 while living his best life in Florida, they probably would have laughed you out of the stadium. It’s been a wild ride. Football has a funny way of humbling people, but for Mayfield, that humility turned into a massive second act that basically nobody saw coming.
He wasn't just some bridge quarterback to help the Tampa Bay Buccaneers transition away from the Tom Brady era. He became the guy.
The Journeyman Label Was Always a Bit Lazy
Most people look at a guy playing for four teams in two years and assume he’s "broken" or just a backup. That’s what happened with Baker. After the Browns decided to go all-in on Deshaun Watson—a move that looks increasingly questionable in hindsight—Mayfield was essentially tossed into the NFL's version of the wilderness. He had that weird stint in Carolina where nothing worked. Then there was that Thursday night miracle with the Rams, where he led a game-winning drive two days after landing in L.A.
That Rams game was the spark. It reminded everyone that the talent didn't just evaporate.
When he signed a one-year, $4 million "prove it" deal with Tampa in 2023, the narrative was that he was just keeping the seat warm for a high draft pick. Instead, he threw for over 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns. He won the division. He won a playoff game. Most importantly, he earned a three-year, $100 million contract that finally gave him some actual security. By the time the 2025 season rolled around, he wasn't just surviving; he was thriving.
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Why the 2025 Season Changed Everything
If 2023 was the comeback, the 2025 season was the solidification. Mayfield finished the 2025-2026 regular season with some eye-popping numbers: 3,693 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and only 11 interceptions across 17 games. But the stats don't tell the whole story.
What really stands out is how he used his legs. Historically, people didn't think of Baker as a "dual-threat," but in 2025, he was basically a chain-moving machine on third downs. He rushed for a career-high 382 yards this past season. Get this: he had a 72.4% success rate when rushing on third down. That’s elite. He was second among all quarterbacks in yards after contact per rush ($3.19$). He stopped trying to be a pure pocket passer and started playing like the scrappy guy we saw at Oklahoma.
The "Coach Builder" Phenomenon
There is a weird, almost mystical thing happening in Tampa right now. Baker Mayfield is making offensive coordinators rich.
- Dave Canales: Worked with Baker for one year, immediately got the head coaching job with the Carolina Panthers.
- Liam Coen: Reunited with Baker in 2024, the offense exploded, and Coen was hired to lead the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Now, he's working with Josh Grizzard. Most quarterbacks struggle with constant turnover at the coordinator spot. Baker seems to feed on it. He’s matured to a point where he can take the "keys to the car" and tell the coaches what he needs rather than just being a puppet for the system.
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The Mike Evans Factor and Rookie Connections
You can't talk about Baker Mayfield without mentioning Mike Evans. It’s one of the most natural connections in the league. Even when Evans was sidelined for a few games in 2025, Baker found ways to make it work with the new kids.
He threw three touchdowns in a Week 10 game against the Patriots, and every single one went to a rookie. Emeka Egbuka caught one, and Tez Johnson caught two. That tells you a lot about his leadership. He isn't just staring down his primary read; he's trusting the system and the young guys. His passer rating when targeting Tez Johnson was a ridiculous 129.9.
What Most People Still Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Baker is still that "immature" kid who planted the flag at Ohio State. He’s 30 now. He’s a husband and a father. The "chip on his shoulder" is still there—you can see it when he takes a hit and gets right back up—but it’s channeled differently.
He’s also way more efficient than he used to be. Earlier in his career, he was an interception magnet. In 2025, his touchdown-to-interception ratio was 8.00 (16-2) through the first half of the season, which was top-five in the NFL. He’s learned when to live to play another down.
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Let’s Look at the Contract Reality
NFL contracts are often "fake" money, but Baker’s deal with the Bucs is pretty solid.
- Contract Value: $100 million over three years.
- 2025 Cap Hit: Around $26.4 million.
- The Catch: His 2026 cap hit jumps to over $51 million.
This means the Bucs are essentially tied to him through 2026 unless they want to eat a massive dead cap hit. But honestly, why would they move on? He’s led them to three straight NFC South titles (if you count the 2025 run). He’s the first quarterback since Brady to give that city a real identity.
Practical Takeaways for Fans and Analysts
If you're looking at Baker's trajectory, there are a few things to keep in mind for the upcoming 2026 postseason and beyond:
- Watch the Third Downs: If the Bucs are in 3rd-and-5, don't assume he's passing. His scramble mobility is currently his "secret weapon" that defenses still haven't fully adjusted to.
- Health is the Variable: He played through an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder late in the 2025 season. He's tough, but that physical style of play takes a toll.
- Postseason Prowess: Believe it or not, Baker holds a 105.9 career postseason passer rating. That is currently No. 1 among active starters. He doesn't shrink in big moments.
The Buccaneers have built a culture that allows Baker to be himself. They don't want him to be Tom Brady; they want him to be the guy who talks trash, runs for first downs, and throws absolute lasers to Mike Evans. As long as he stays healthy, the "Better Mayfield" era in Tampa isn't ending anytime soon.
For those tracking his progress, the next step is simple: watch how the Buccaneers manage his massive 2026 cap hit. They'll likely look to extend him again to spread that money out, which would essentially make him a "Buc for life." Not bad for a guy who was playing for three teams in one year just a few seasons ago.