Baker Mayfield no Longer Feels Like ‘Dirty Laundry’ Being Shipped Around.
Baker Mayfield’s NFL career seemed to be dwindling once the Cleveland Browns traded for Deshaun Watson, and subsequently shipped their former first overall pick to Carolina.
Now, several teams later, Mayfield has settled in nicely with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coming off an impressive season and signing a new deal with Tampa this offseason.
Mayfield’s deal is worth $100 million over three years, with $50 million guaranteed.
Now, going into 2024, Mayfield has some security and feels a lot better about football in general.
In a recent appearance on the Mike Calta show, Mayfield explained how he’s having more fun and feels valued in Tampa.
You’re having a lot more fun when you’re not getting shipped off to different places like a piece of dirty laundry, I’ll tell you that.
After leading the Buccaneers to an NFC South title and a playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the wildcard round, the challenge for Mayfield will be following that up this season.
How Mayfield Found a Home in Tampa
Mayfield landed in the perfect spot after brief stints with the Panthers and Rams.
After being drafted first overall by the Browns in 2018, Mayfield certainly had some ups and downs in Cleveland. While he went 29-30 as a starter in Cleveland, Mayfield also led the Browns to their first playoff win in 26 years.
The Browns decided that they would have a higher ceiling with Deshaun Watson, despite his off-field issues.
Here’s how Mayfield’s career went after being traded out of Cleveland:
Mayfield started six games for the Carolina Panthers, going 1-5 before being waived.
The Los Angeles Rams claimed Mayfield off waivers, with Mayfield going 1-3 as a starter in L.A.
The Buccaneers signed Mayfield to a one-year deal in the 2023 offseason.
This past season in Tampa, Mayfield started all 17 games, leading the Bucs to a 9-8 record. He recorded the best completion percentage of his career at 64.3, and threw for 4,044 yards, with 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
