Baker Mayfield 'Got the Last Word Over the Critics' in Tampa Bay, Rival Scout Says

Last offseason, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were looking for a new starting quarterback to replace the GOAT, as Tom Brady had finally retired (for real this time).

Meanwhile, Baker Mayfield was trying to find a team that would give him an opportunity to prove he could still be a successful starter in the NFL after bouncing between three different teams over the previous two seasons.

Mayfield signed a cheap one-year deal with the Bucs, and despite a long list of preseason predictions that expected Tampa Bay to be among the worst teams in the league, he helped lead them to a third straight NFC South title with the best season of his NFL career so far.

The former No. 1 overall pick was rewarded with a new three-year contract extension this offseason, entrenching him as the Bucs' starter, and silencing his doubters yet again.

“Baker Mayfield answered a lot of questions and got the last word over the critics," a rival scout told Athlon Sports for this year's NFL preview magazine , on sale at newsstands now. "He really showed me something. Lot of moxie, lot more discipline, lot less emotional on the field. He was a strong fit for Tampa Bay."

Helping out Mayfield is one of the more underrated offenses in the league, led by a future Hall of Famer, an elite left tackle, and a versatile running back.

"Rachaad White is not a household name, but he’s a really good running back," the scout said. "Mike Evans was never going anywhere. It made too much sense for him to re-sign with Tampa Bay. He’s built a true Hall of Fame résumé with them as a career Buc. ... Graham Barton has a reputation as one of the most NFL-ready rookies in the draft. ... Not a bad offensive line. Having Tristan Wirfs at left tackle gives them a real clean pocket."

There are still some big questions to answer for Todd Bowles' defense heading into the 2024 season, but there's still elite talent at every level on that side of the ball.

"Team officials want to see Vita Vea become more consistent," the scout said. "He’s good enough to dominate, but he doesn’t always play to that level. ... Lavonte David is the constant. He keeps making play after play. ... They didn’t pick up the fifth-year option for Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. It’s so expensive. ... Antoine Winfield Jr. is so good. He’s a true ballhawk, and he plays the game with an edge. ... Logan Hall has a lot of tools working in his favor. ... Todd Bowles is a solid, no-nonsense coach, just like when he was playing safety in the NFL.”

The Bucs spent most of their energy retaining their own key free agents this offseason, but were still able to make some new additions at critical positions of need. If Mayfield can maintain the level of play he showed last year, there's no reason why the Bucs shouldn't win the division for the fourth year in a row.

Related: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 NFL Season Preview: Baker Mayfield Resets the Bar

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