It is a common notion that the career of a quarterback in the NFL does not take a linear path. A first overall pick can move on to finding himself under scrutiny as concerns arise about whether he is still fit to play in the league or not. In many ways, Baker Mayfield has experienced the full scope of such journeys. His presence in Cleveland was marked by all sorts of ups and downs, with the first signs of brilliance mixed with a positive experience in the playoffs and a continuously growing set of expectations.
Numbers can sometimes explain phenomena better than simply plausible explanations. After spending his last playing year in Cleveland, Baker Mayfield played despite some injuries, registering a total of 3,021 throwing yards and 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions within 14 games. Following his leaving Cleveland, he spent some time in Carolina and Los Angeles, and settled in Tampa Bay. He played for the Buccaneers since 2023.
Baker Mayfield Needed More Than a Fresh Jersey
Baker Mayfield’s time in Cleveland is not just a story about numbers. Mayfield was the first overall pick in the NFL draft in 2018 and had to carry the expectations that come with being the face of a troubled franchise. He had a great first season in the NFL, throwing for 3725 yards and 27 touchdowns but had a difficult second year in 2019. Then the year 2020 came and Mayfield was able to throw 26 touchdowns against just eight interceptions and 2020 was also the year the City of Cleveland witnessed its team making it to the playoffs.
That year showed that talent was never an issue but rather producing that talent consistently and building a good environment around him. 2021 was not an easy year due to shoulder injuries and Cleveland finally decided to go in a different direction. Mayfield was traded to Carolina in July 2022 with Cleveland receiving a conditional 5th round pick in return.
The trade was unexpected and completely unexpected for the player who was drafted just 4 years back as the first player in the draft and suddenly was asked to rebuild his career as a player who was not given the freedom of a starter.
The Carolina and Los Angeles Detour Mattered
The 2022 season might have very well been the last in Baker Mayfield’s career. Mayfield lined up for seven matches with the Carolina Panthers where he achieved the 57.8% completion percentage, gained 1,313 passing yards, and threw six touchdown passes and interceptions. After the Carolina Panthers released him, he joined Rams and played five matches, passing with a total of 850 yards and four touchdowns scored.
Although the performance numbers were unimpressive, there was one very important thing about Mayfield’s career with the Rams. He remained in the public eye and proved that he had the ability to adapt to new situations quickly. He had undergone several changes already earlier, and such experience came in handy when Tampa Bay gave him another chance.
There was no promise of a guaranteed future with the Buccaneers. In 2023, Mayfield came to try and win a competition against Kyle Trask for a starting position. In winning that competition, he was one step away from changing the history of his career and starting a more stable chapter in his life.
Tampa Bay Gave Him the Right Environment
The transformation of Tampa Bay was the result of more than the improvement of a particular quarterback. The franchise provided Baker Mayfield with the offense that suited him the best. He started in 2023 and achieved great results, with 4044 yards, 28 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions, 94.6 passer rating. Tampa Bay finished the regular season with a 9-8 record, won the NFC South title and reached the playoffs.
The season was crucial because it restored something statistics cannot measure – faith. Baker Mayfield started his career by being traded for a 5th-round pick, and managed to make his team reach the playoffs.
The franchise decided to make this decision more serious. In March, 2024 Tampa Bay signed a long-term contract with the player after one season. Instead of checking if Baker Mayfield’s results from 2023 season were just temporary, the organization decided it had finally found the quarterback.
2024 Was the Season That Changed Everything
If a year were to encapsulate Baker Mayfield’s metamorphosis in Tampa Bay, that would undoubtedly be the year of 2024. With the help of offensive coordinator Liam Coen, the player had one of his career best years statistically, throwing 71.4% of completed passes, with a total of 4,500 yards achieved and 41 touchdowns scored against 16 interceptions. The player’s passer rating of 106.8 mark achieved and completion percentage both for that year became the records for the organization.
What is even more important is the fact that Tampa Bay has performed better than ever on the field, finishing 4th in scoring in the league with 29.5 points scored per game, and ranking 3rd in total yards scored. In addition, Tampa Bay became the first team in NFL history to have 70% of passes completed and 5 yards gained rushing in a game.
The most astonishing fact is that the team has succeeded in continuing its fruitful offensive game even with some key players being injured. Mike Evans missed games, Chris Godwin suffered an injury that ended his season, however, the team has still won its division with a total of 10 wins and 7 losses in the season. Because of this, the season felt less like a quarterback taking advantage of ideal conditions and more like a quarterback who could maintain an offense when conditions changed.
The Reinvention Is Not Complete
Baker Mayfield’s narrative is not that of simple redemption in which Tampa Bay fixed every flaw. In 2025, his statistics were not as stunning as in 2024 with 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. This indicates that his passer rating dropped to 90.6 but still he was a pretty effective starter for the whole season anyway.
The events which took place in Tampa Bay changed the whole essence of the story of Baker Mayfield. While in Cleveland the discussion was often revolving around whether he would become a franchise QB that people hoped for, after going through the woes in Carolina and Los Angeles the matter had shifted to whether he could remain as a starting QB or not. Tampa Bay has already provided a different answer to this question.
Baker Mayfield has not gotten the praise as he had turned into a new player. He has simply created the situation allowing him to unlock his arm strength along with using his competitive character. Perhaps, the main message is applicable not only to football: sometimes all it takes to make things work is to find the right environment.
Tampa Bay is now more than just a second opportunity for Baker Mayfield. The first overall choice, who at one point appeared to be a fading star, rebuilt himself into a well-known NFL quarterback there.
