The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have mastered their start to the NFL playoffs with flying colors. Quarterback Baker Mayfield, who even managed to get over the loss of Tom Brady, particularly shone against the Philadelphia Eagles (32:9).
In March 2023, Mayfield signed a one-year contract with the Bucs to succeed NFL legend Tom Brady. There are definitely easier tasks than replacing a seven-time Super Bowl winner. However, Mayfield seems to have struck the right tone in Tampa from the start.
“He fits right in,” enthused wide receiver Chris Godwin in the “Sports Illustrated” interview after the win over the Eagles. “The good thing about Baker is he wasn’t trying to be Tom’s replacement. He was just trying to be Baker Mayfield. The guys can feel how genuine he is. He goes out there and fights.”
Against Philadelphia, Mayfield once again lived up to his role as a leader. He completed 22 of his 36 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns. With the victory over the Eagles, he also achieved what Brady was denied in the previous season – getting into the divisional round.
The Buccaneers famously lost 14:31 to the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card Round of the 2022 season. It would be Brady’s last NFL game.
NFL: Former Brady coach pays homage to Mayfield
Two years earlier, the GOAT gave the Bucs their second Super Bowl triumph in their franchise history. At that time, Bruce Arians still held the reins in Tampa. The long-time head coach now acts as an advisor to his former team and apparently also believes that Mayfield can fill Brady’s shoes.
“When you follow Tom Brady, it’s not easy, brother. But he’s got the charisma. He’s got a fire in him that I just love,” Arians said on Monday during the “ManningCast” broadcast as an ardent supporter of Mayfield . “I think he’s just doing a great job. He’s won this locker room over quickly.”