You’ve seen her on the sidelines. Or maybe you remember those Progressive commercials where she and her husband, Baker Mayfield, lived in a football stadium like it was a suburban ranch. Most people look at Emily Wilkinson and see the "NFL wife" archetype—the supportive partner who moved to Cleveland, then Charlotte, then Los Angeles, and now Tampa. But there’s a lot more to her than just being the person holding the pom-poms (or the baby) while Baker navigates the chaotic waters of professional football.
Honestly, their start was kinda hilarious and slightly embarrassing for Baker. It wasn't some grand romantic movie moment. It was a guy on Instagram being a little too persistent and a woman who really didn't want to date a "punk football player."
Why the Emily Wilkinson Baker Mayfield wife story started with a "No"
Baker might be a Heisman winner, but he had zero game when he first spotted Emily. This was back in 2017. A mutual friend tried to set them up for months. Emily wasn't having it. She actually told the friend no. She had this image in her head of what a pro athlete was like—basically, she assumed he’d be a total playboy.
Baker didn't just give up, though. He went to Instagram. He did that thing where you follow and then unfollow someone just to get a notification to pop up on their phone. He did it repeatedly. Eventually, they ended up on a FaceTime call by accident while Baker was talking to his brother. He saw her in the background and realized, Oh, that’s the girl.
The date that changed everything
When they finally met for lunch before the Rose Bowl, Emily expected him to talk about himself for two hours. "It was not the Baker show," she later admitted. Instead, he spent the whole time asking about her life in Nebraska, her family, and her career goals.
They were basically inseparable after that. Like, three days later, Baker moved in with Emily and her brothers in Los Angeles. Talk about moving fast. Six months later, they were engaged.
Moving from Nebraska to the "Stadium" life
Emily grew up in Nebraska—born in 1991—and she’s a Husker through and through. She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2013 with a degree in business administration. Before she was Emily Wilkinson Baker Mayfield wife, she was a patient coordinator at a plastic surgery clinic in Beverly Hills.
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She actually had a career she loved. Leaving that behind in 2018 to follow Baker to Cleveland after he was drafted #1 overall was a massive life pivot.
- Career Shift: She went from clinical work to becoming a full-blown influencer.
- The Spotlight: With over 230,000 followers, she’s built a brand that isn't just "Baker’s wife."
- Family Ties: Her brother, Sammy Wilkinson, was actually famous first—he was a massive star on Vine back in the day.
The Tampa Bay era and growing the Mayfield family
Fast forward to 2026, and life looks a lot different than those early days in Cleveland. The couple has found a real home in Tampa. While Baker is out there leading the Buccaneers and silencing every critic who said he was "washed," Emily is managing a literal household of news.
In April 2024, they welcomed their first daughter, Kova Jade. It changed their whole dynamic. Baker, known for his "moxie" and occasionally prickly on-field persona, turned into a total softie. Emily posted that he was "smitten," and honestly, the photos of him as a girl dad are a far cry from the guy who planted the flag at Ohio State.
Big news for 2026
If you haven't been keeping up with her Instagram lately, the family is about to get bigger. Emily announced in late 2025 that they are expecting their second child—a baby boy—due in April 2026.
It’s a lot to juggle. Moving cities every couple of years is the part of the NFL life people forget about. Emily has been the constant through the Browns trade, the weird stint in Carolina, the Rams comeback, and now the stability of Tampa.
Defending her man (and keeping it real)
One thing you have to love about Emily is that she doesn't just sit there and take the heat. When fans or the media go after Baker, she’s usually the first one in the comments or on her Stories defending him. She’s his biggest protector.
But she also keeps it light. Just recently, when the NFL fined Baker for a "violent gesture" (it was a nose-wipe celebration), she posted a snippet of him on her Story with the caption "So violent" and a cheeky emoji. She knows how to navigate the absurdity of the league.
The Baker & Emily Mayfield Foundation
They aren't just about the fame. They launched their foundation to help kids and provide scholarships. Emily is heavily involved in the day-to-day operations there. It's not just a tax write-off; they actually show up for the events.
What’s next for the Mayfields?
As we head into the 2026 season, the focus is obviously on the new baby and Baker’s continued success with the Bucs. Emily has managed to do something very difficult: she’s maintained her own identity while being married to one of the most polarizing and famous figures in American sports.
She isn't just a background character in Baker’s story. She’s the person who made sure he stayed grounded when he was getting cut or traded.
Actionable Insights for Following the Mayfields:
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- Follow for the realness: If you want the behind-the-scenes of NFL life that isn't polished by a PR firm, Emily’s Instagram is where it’s at.
- Watch the Foundation: If you're looking to support their charitable work, keep an eye on the Baker & Emily Mayfield Foundation's literacy and youth programs in Tampa and beyond.
- Expect the unexpected: With a new baby arriving in April 2026, expect a lot of "girl dad" turned "boy dad" content coming soon.
Emily Wilkinson proves that being a "wife" in the public eye doesn't mean you have to lose your voice. Whether she's mocking NFL fines or documenting the chaos of parenthood, she’s doing it on her own terms.