Baker Mayfield's Buccaneers Bandwagon Filling Up
You can't not be happy for Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield after his career resurgence over the past two seasons.
On the scrap heap after stints with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams, Baker came to Tampa Bay, potentially on his last shot at being a starter...and he hasn't looked back.
Advertisement
Back-to-back seasons of Pro Bowl nods, playoff appearances, and division titles, Mayfield's play has thrust the Buccaneers into the NFC contenders conversation.
And while there are a host of skeptics about what Baker and the Bucs could do in 2025, they have one fan in NFL.com's Gennaro Filice, who named Mayfield as one player to hitch your bandwagon to this upcoming season.
"Fresh off a career year that saw him tie for second in touchdown passes (41) while finishing third in passing yards (4,500) and completion percentage (71.4), Mayfield is about to play under his fifth offensive coordinator in as many seasons," Filice writes.
"Furthermore, Mayfield's protected by one of the best offensive lines in the league. And he's supported by a deep group of pass catchers and ball carriers, with the Buccaneers' first-round pick, Emeka Egbuka, only adding to those riches."
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker MayfieldNathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The Buccaneers' offense last season was explosive, and that was without Chris Godwin after Week 7. So we add him back into the mix and first-round draft pick Emeka Egbuka, and now the offense, on paper at least, could be seen as one of the best in football.
Advertisement
And we haven't added Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, and Sean Tucker in yet, as the run game was top five last season.
It is easy to see why Mayfield's bandwagon is collecting fans. This Tampa Bay team has talent everywhere, and with a defense that got solidified in the offseason via free agency (Haason Reddick) and the draft, the Buccaneers are poised to do some damage in 2025.
With Mayfield set to collect more bandwagon fans along the way.
Related: Bucs Famous DB Signs Rookie Contract
Related: Egbuka Offers Good News To Fans About Bucs No. 1 Strength
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
How to watch USMNT v Haiti live: Stream link, TV channel, team news, prediction
The United States men's national team gets a final tune-up for the Gold Cup knockout rounds when Mauricio Pochettino leads the team into Arlington for a match-up with Les Grenadiers of Haiti on Sunday. The Yanks have sealed passage from the group stage with wins over Trinidad and Tobago and Saudi Arabia, and could meet Mexico or Costa Rica in the quarterfinal, and they'll have no way of knowing whether El Tri or Los Ticos are first or second in the Group A prior to kickoff. Advertisement So a match-up with rivals Mexico could be coming win, lose, or draw against Haiti, as Mexico face Costa Rica later in the evening with El Tri only clear of Los Ticos on one goal worth of differential and Costa Rica ahead on goals by one. Haiti can still reach the knockout rounds with a win over the Yanks plus help from Trinidad and Tobago. The Saudis have three points while the USMNT and T&T each have one. T&T needs a win over the Saudis and a Haiti loss or draw versus the U.S. (or a blowout win over Saudi Arabia that is four goals better than Haiti's win over the USMNT). For live updates and highlights throughout USMNT vs Haiti, check out PST's live blog coverage below. How to watch USMNT vs Haiti live, stream link and start time Kick off time: 7pm ET, Sunday Advertisement How to watch: FOX, TUDN Stream online: or the FOX Sports app USMNT team news, focus Haji Wright is dealing with a reported achilles injury of undisclosed severity, though the forward was in attendance at the Saudi Arabia match. Damion Downs also dealt with a late injury after coming off the bench. Tyler Adams and Johnny Cardoso both returned from short injury absences against the Saudis, though whether they'll be fit to start by Sunday is a question mark. Pochettino did not rotate his XI much between the first two games, but he can do what he wants on Sunday which could mean opportunities for John Tolkin, Nathan Harriel, Quinn Sullivan, Paxten Aaronson, and/or Brian White. Haiti team news, focus Les Grenadiers won't have Nantes center back Jean-Kevin Duverne, who was sent off early in their 1-1 draw with Trinidad and Tobago. They will have veteran AEK Athens striker Frantzy Pierrot, who has 32 goals in 40 caps including the lone goal in this tournament. All-time leading scorer Duckens Nazon is also in the squad as is goalkeeper Johny Placide. This is one of the better performing Haiti sides in recent history and it's led by an international management veteran in French manager Sebastien Migne. USMNT vs Haiti prediction This match may end up being trickier than the win over bunkered-in Saudi Arabia, as Haiti need a win. That impetus to attack should hopefully lead to a more appealing spectacle, one that would benefit the USMNT. USMNT 3-1 Haiti.
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
George Kittle on Robert Saleh's return: Violence is coming
George Kittle doesn't play defense, but Robert Saleh's return to the 49ers still has him fired up. Saleh built a strong defense when he was the team's coordinator from 2017-2020 and turned that success into a job as the head coach of the Jets. Saleh couldn't reach the same heights in that role and was fired during the 2024 season, which left him available for a second stint with the NFC West club this year. Advertisement During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show this week, Kittle shared a message for the rest of the league about what Saleh's return to the team will mean. "Violence is coming is what I would say," Kittle said. The tight end expanded on his thoughts about what Saleh brings to the table. "He's really good at his job, and I'm really excited that we somehow convinced him to be our defensive coordinator again," Kittle said. "He knows what he's talking about, he's inspiring, he gets the boys fired up, and he just happens to also be really, really smart. So, I'm pumped to have him back in the building, just hanging out with him a little bit, talking about stuff. You can just tell he's ready to roll this year, and he's gonna get the boys fired up." The 49ers selected defensive players with their first five picks in this year's draft and the new blood will be needed after a slew of departures on that side of the ball this offseason. If Saleh can mold them into a similar unit to the one he built in his first 49ers run, a rebound from last year's disappointing season in Northern California could be in the cards.


USA Today
21 minutes ago
- USA Today
Recent NFL projection may have gifted every Eagles rookie with extra motivation
Recent NFL projection may have gifted every Eagles rookie with extra motivation An NFL rookie projection speaks loudly, but the Eagles will speak even louder. Five years after Kobe Bryant's untimely passing, his 'Mamba Mentality' still provides quite the intriguing study. It has shifted from attitude to philosophy, a theory shared by Philadelphia Eagles, NBA stars, and even the hardworking men or women at the office. Most of the general public won't ever drop 81 points in a single professional basketball game. Heck, most NBA stars won't do that. They'll have to find contentment in the building blocks, an unquenchable thirst to be the best at something. What does that have to do with football, you ask? Well, thank you for asking the question. Though they're young, there may be some baby 'mambas' growing at the NovaCare Complex, and if they're anything like Kobe, they'll do anything to find some added motivation. They won't have to look too hard. just gifted them with a heavy dosage. An NFL All-Rookie Team projection is embarrassingly void of any Eagles Gennaro Filice is a deputy editor at He doesn't pick up the pen or pluck keys on the keyboard very often, but when he does, what he offers isn't to be missed. Recently, he tried his hand at projecting the members of the 2025 NFL All-Rookie Team. Not a single Eagle was mentioned. Call it an embarrassment. Call it an oversight. Whatever you call it, if this draft class is what we think it is, it can certainly be viewed as motivation. Now, everyone could play the devil's advocate. Maybe the theory is that Jihaad Campbell won't be healthy early. Maybe he'll miss too many important snaps. Then again, the thinking could be something else. How about another theory while the wheels are turning? This is Zack Baun, Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, Cooper DeJean, Reed Blankenship, and Quinyon Mitchell's defense. They'll be the young leaders Vic Fangio relies upon. Maybe the theory is that Andrew Mukuba and Ty Robinson will be part of a heavy rotation at their respective positions. That being said, there may not be enough snaps for them to make a case to be placed ahead of early favorites to make the all-rookie team. The argument makes sense. Still, that isn't exciting enough. Most would prefer the more emotion-filled response to projection. This list is disrespectful. It should be viewed as fuel for the rookie's fire, and this entire season should be treated like a revenge tour. Perhaps, it's off-base, but that's how Mamba Mentality works. Find motivation in everything, even if you have to make up your own. After all, that's exactly the strategy Kobe used sometimes.