Buccaneers Hall of Famer Reveals Honest Take on Baker Mayfield
Since arriving in Tampa Bay prior to the 2023 NFL season, Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has reinvented himself.
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Replacing legend and seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady is no easy proposition, but Mayfield's transition in Tampa Bay has been seamless.
Since being thrown out of organizations like the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers, Mayfield impressed in five games and four starts in Los Angeles with the Rams in 2022, earning him a one-year, "prove-it" deal with the Buccaneers.
And "prove it" he did.
Now, his leadership is being recognized by a Bucs legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer.
Former Bucs defensive back Ronde Barber spoke about Mayfield on his podcast, "The Ronde Barber Show" recently.
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"The leadership qualities just jump out at you," Barber said. "The dude makes tough plays in tough situations. He elevates the entire team. He's had a new coordinator every single year of his career, including this year. And I don't know that it matters. The guy just elevates his game to whatever level he needs it to be at. Baker's a top 10 quarterback for me, man. I don't see how anybody can say otherwise.'
Mayfield has been named to the Pro Bowl for the first and second times in his career since joining the Bucs. In 2023, he posted career highs in yards (4,044), touchdowns (28) and completion percentage (64.3).
That earned him a three-year, $100 million deal from GM Jason Licht and the team, and last season, he bested those career numbers by a lot with 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns and a 71.4 completion percentage.
But what's more important is that he has turned into a leader on and off the field for his team.
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Related: Buccaneers Look to Alabama for Edge Rusher in 3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Related: Buccaneers' Bucky Irving Can Make History in 2025
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
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