Buccaneers GM has unique way of motivating Baker Mayfield

Professional athletes and front office executives often mention how ignoring so-called "outside noise" is an important part of achieving success during seasons.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht clearly believes the opposite is true as it pertains to starting quarterback Baker Mayfield.

"Especially with the quarterback, the most important position on the team, the way that he responds to that I think has kind of driven us," Licht said about Mayfield during an appearance on "The JP Peterson Show," as shared by the JoeBucsFan website. "Whenever I see an article, or [assistant GM John Spytek], or the guys here in the front office see an article saying that [Mayfield] sucks, we send it to him right away because we know that it’s going to help us in the end."

Mayfield has repeatedly made it known that he was motivated to prove doubters wrong after he was discarded by both the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers in 2022 and after numerous analysts predicted the 2023 Buccaneers would finish the season near the bottom of the standings with Mayfield serving as the replacement for Tom Brady.

Considering Licht's latest comments, one can't help but wonder if he told Mayfield last fall about how some wanted Tampa Bay to bench the 29-year-old in favor of backup Kyle Trask. Head coach Todd Bowles stuck with Mayfield, and the first pick of the 2018 NFL Draft ultimately guided the club to the division title and to a home playoff victory that helped him land a new three-year contract this past offseason.

Mayfield isn't the only starting signal-caller at least somewhat fueled by negative takes. Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams recently revealed that he has notes, screenshots an d links saved on his phone that he uses whenever he feels he needs some extra "motivation."

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Licht said he thinks it's "great" that handfuls of analysts are picking the Atlanta Falcons to win the NFC South division title this season after Atlanta acquired veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, pass-rusher Matthew Judon and safety Justin Simmons.

It sounds like Licht would be just fine with media members asking Mayfield to respond to such forecasts ahead of Tampa Bay's Week 1 match up against the Washington Commanders on Sept. 8.