Baker Mayfield has defied all odds during his football career. He was a walk-on college starter, Heisman Trophy winner, first-round draft choice, and potential bust. He was disregarded and counted out at many points in his career, and his brashness, at times, did not endear him to fans and foes alike.
But through it all, he preserved, and tonight, he will face Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commders in a NFC Wild Card Game. His is an incredible story worth retelling.
Baker Mayfield: The Comeback Kid
Baker Mayfield did not possess a silver spoon as a high school quarterback. He was the #1,029 prospect in the 2013 recruiting class and did not receive many scholarship offers. Initially, he was offered free football rides from Florida Atlantic, New Mexico, and Rice. He decided instead to walk on at Texas Tech, and that was the start of this wondrous journey that has taken him all the way to tonight’s Wild Card match-up as his Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Washington Commanders.
Miraculously, he was the Week 1 starter at Tech, and after transferring to Oklahoma for his sophomore season, he took the college football world by storm. He finished his collegiate career going 1,026-1,497 for 4,627 yards and 131 touchdown passes. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist twice, winning his senior year, making him the only walk-on player ever to win the Heisman.
The NFL came calling, and he was selected as the Cleveland Browns’ first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. By all measures, his first season with the Browns was a success. Mayfield threw for 3-725 passing yards and 27 touchdown passes and was named to an all-rookie team. More importantly, he led the Browns to their best record since 2007.
Things started getting murkier for the outspoken Mayfield in his second NFL season, as the Browns slipped to 6-10, and he had 21 of his passes intercepted. All was forgiven in the 2020 season, as he led Cleveland to an 11-5 season and their first playoff berth since 2002. Next, he led his team to the franchise’s first road playoff win since 1969, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card Round 48-37.
But the 2021 season was a disaster for Mayfield, as he dealt with an assortment of injuries, including a torn labrum and a right knee contusion. He was eventually placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. In the offseason, the Browns traded for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, and Mayfield requested that the team trade him. On July 6, 2022, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers for a fifth-round draft pick.
However, this was not a match made in Heaven. Baker competed against Sam Darnold for the starting QB position and was named the Week 1 starter. He struggled from the get-go with the Panthers, and a high ankle sprain knocked him out for three games as he gave way to new starter P.J. Walker. He eventually requested his release from Carolina on December 5, 2022, and signed with the Los Angeles Rams the next day. Playing with the Rams rejuvenated his career as he played well and was named National Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Raiders.
Tampa Bay and the Promised Land
After Tom Brady’s retirement, Mayfield signed with Tampa Bay for the 2023 season. He was brought in to compete with Kyle Trask and John Woolford for the starting quarterback position. He won the job out of training camp and led the Bucs to a 9-8 record and a Wild Card berth. In this game, Tampa Bay knocked off the defending NFC champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, 32-9. For the game, Baker was 22-36 for 337 yards and three touchdowns. For the season, he threw for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns. This was just a prelude to a breakout 2024 season.
Mayfield put it all together in 2024, going 407-570 for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns. He also was a major factor in Tampa’s running game, rushing for 378 yards and 3 scores. Best of all, he led his Bucs to the NFC South Division title and a spot in tonight’s Wild Card matchup. Whatever Baker does tonight and for the rest of the season, he has firmly established himself as one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL.
