The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the 2023 NFL Season with tempered expectations.
After Tom Brady retired, it appeared that their quarterback situation was bleak.
Many analysts gave them an outside chance to compete this year, especially if Baker Mayfield ended up as their starter.
Despite being given less-than-ideal odds, Mayfield has played better than advertised, causing many to give him public praise.
Sean McVay and Buccaneers GM Jason Licht have both been on record talking about how good Mayfield is.
Pat McAfee responded to these comments on his show, saying, “Don’t look now, but Tampa’s the team in the NFC South.”
Jason Licht complimented the hell out of Baker Mayfield..
Sean McVay said the same things about him with he was with the Rams last season #PMSLive #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/tGSF9KKY84
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 4, 2023
As McAfee highlighted, Mayfield hasn’t just been applauded for his on-field performances.
McVay and Licht were both complementary of Mayfield’s intelligence, which, as McAfee points out, was not the case when he was with the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns put a lot of faith into Mayfield, believing he would be the future of their franchise.
Even though he won their first playoff game in several seasons, they still wanted to let him go.
He has now since played with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams before settling down with the Buccaneers.
Whatever happened in Cleveland appears to be behind Mayfield, who is ready to lead the Buccaneers to great heights.
The Buccaneers currently hold a 3-1 record.
They have already beaten the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, and Chicago Bears, and will now face the Detroit Lions in Week 5.
If they’re able to compete in this game, perhaps pulling out an unlikely victory, it will be another sign that Mayfield is more than ready for this job.
