Baker Mayfield was already considered a failure in the NFL. Now, however, things seem to be falling into place with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The playoffs are close – and a new contract

Has Baker Mayfield found his home in the NFL?

2023 was a do-or-die year for the 2018 No. 1 pick. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers basically had no other choice after the all-in years with Tom Brady and chose a playmaker who was widely considered a failure in the league for a declared transition year.

The plan was to use him as a placeholder until a franchise quarterback could be found. The draft with a strong group of signal callers is also coming up in the spring. For Mayfield and his own career, however, it was all or nothing.

It seems that this has resulted in a win-win situation

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Statement on Christmas Eve

The 30-12 Christmas Eve win over the Jacksonville Jaguars was the Buccaneers’ fourth in a row. Statement. Mayfield really gets rolling at crunch time after a previously decent season, as the Buccaneers are 8-7 and on the verge of the NFC South title.

His 64.3 percent passing accuracy and 96.2 average rating are career bests, and with 3,598 yards he’s on pace to break his previous best (3,827 yards/2019).

With 26 touchdowns, he is still two short of his new personal record, and he has only had eight interceptions once so far. In the last three games, he has not made any more.

He also has eight touchdowns and 947 yards in that period. In Green Bay, he posted a perfect QB rating (158.3) in Week 15, then 116.7 against the Jaguars. Above all, his teamwork with Mike Evans is excellent, and he also works well with offensive coordinator Dave Canales.

Baker Mayfield: Much more humble

The “soft” factors are also right, Mayfield is perceived as modest and humble after his experiences in recent years. He is also fit, physical limitations from the past are a thing of the past.

Before the game, the NFL Network announced that both Mayfield and the Buccaneers would like to continue working together. His contract expires after the season.

As I said: do or die. But so far he has made impressive use of the opportunity. So impressively, in fact, that he might even make a run at free agency.

However, Mayfield’s hope is alive that he has finally found permanent happiness in Florida after stints with the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams. That he is not the stopgap of the present, but the man of the future.

“I would love to stay here. It’s a great city, a great group of guys, a great organization, but winning games takes care of that, so we’ll have that discussion after the year,” Mayfield said.

Buccaneers and Mayfield: no talks yet

According to ESPN, the Buccaneers have not yet approached Mayfield about a contract extension. That’s actually not expected to happen until after the season.

“He’s done outstanding,” coach Todd Bowles said. “He did outstanding in December. That’s what you expect from your quarterback in December. Everybody knows each other’s plays right now. But when you’re trying to make a push and your quarterback is playing great, it gives you a chance.”

In fact, the Bucs now have a pretty good one: a win against the New Orleans Saints and at the Panthers is enough to secure the title. And a better starting position in the playoffs.

That also applies to Mayfield. So that he can finally find his home.