Yaya Diaby names 'contagious' element Baker Mayfield offers Buccaneers

Pass-rusher Yaya Diaby is the latest member of the Buccaneers to discuss what quarterback Baker Mayfield has meant to Tampa Bay since he first signed with the club in March 2023.

"He’s such a great leader for us," Diaby said about Mayfield during a recent SiriusXM NFL Radio appearance, as shared by the JoeBucsFan website. "He brings such amazing juice, and it’s just contagious for everybody on the team."

Much has been made about how Mayfield was an ideal quarterback and person to replace Tom Brady following his "for good" retirement in February 2023. Diaby, of course, joined the Buccaneers as a 2023 third-round draft pick and wasn't in the league when Brady guided Tampa Bay to playoff appearances across his three seasons with the club and to a Super Bowl championship.

Mayfield finished the 2022 season with the Los Angeles Rams and working with current Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Liam Coen. Some fear that Mayfield could regress after former coordinator Dave Canales left the Buccaneers to become head coach of the Carolina Panthers, but Diaby seemingly doesn't share those concerns.

"It was so awesome to see, you know, come in there to get the feel for his coach that he had at L.A., and it’s just, I’m excited," Diaby added about Mayfield. "I’m like super excited every time I talk about [Mayfield and the offense]. I just get super excited because I know we’re going on the right path."

Former Buccaneers defensive star and current NFL Network personality Gerald McCoy recently suggested that Mayfield is healthier heading into upcoming training camp practices than the signal-caller was during his first offseason with Tampa Bay. Mayfield ultimately became a finalist for the Comeback Player of the Year Award in Canales' offense but should be much more comfortable with the club this summer, considering he won't have to compete for the starting job after he inked a new deal in March.

As of Thursday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Buccaneers at +145 betting odds to make the playoffs for the upcoming season. Mayfield, Diaby, and others inside the Tampa Bay locker room may have plenty to say about such forecasts for when training camp opens next month.