Baker Mayfield claims the Bucs are fueled by the ‘low expectations’ everyone had with them after Tom Brady’s exit

Mayfield signed with the Bucs this offseason.

Baker Mayfield claims the Bucs are fueled by the ‘low expectations’ everyone had with them after Tom Brady’s exit

Baker Mayfield (L) and Tom Brady (R) (via Imago)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had Super Bowl expectations in each of Tom Brady‘s three years with the team. These expectations have died down since Brady bid farewell to NFL earlier this season. The Bucs won the Super Bowl in 2020, in what was Brady’s first year with the team. They made the playoffs the next two seasons but failed to reach the Super Bowl after their successful triumph in 2020.

The Bucs signed former no. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield this offseason to replace Brady. Mayfield is nowhere near the level of his predecessor, but he is still a very competent NFL quarterback. He and the Bucs started their season with an impressive over the Minnesota Vikings and Mayfield, after the game, said that the team was fueled by the low expectations on them post Tom Brady.

YouTube video

“It’s kind of been the motto for us the whole offseason through training camp,” Mayfield told NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk. “I mean, I think you guys see the narrative on the outside of what everybody’s picking against us. We know the talent and the group that we have within the locker room. That’s the most important part. So we’ll take a road win to open the season no matter what, especially in an environment like that.”

FS Video

He also talked about his trash talk incident with the Vikings’ cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. “Just some friendly words exchanged,” Mayfield said. “Byron and I are good. I talked to him after the game. I’m happy for him getting a better situation there in Minnesota. No, just friendly competition there.”

The Vikings were favored to win their matchup against the Bucs, but Mayfield and company played an impressive game and started their campaign 1-0. Mayfield threw for 173 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 11 yards. They will look to build on this winning start this Sunday as they host the Chicago Bears.

Related: Shannon Sharpe believes Tom Brady should be the one to replace Aaron Rodgers following his Achilles injury

Baker Mayfield figured out the Vikings’ defensive signals, according to RB Rachaad White

Baker Mayfield and Rachaad White
Baker Mayfield and Rachaad White (via NBC Sports)

Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went to Minnesota and pulled off an impressive win against the Minnesota Vikings in week 1. After a slow start to the game, Mayfield and the Bucs’ offense figured out some stuff and had a much better second half. After the game, RB Rachaad White claimed that Mayfield figured out some of the Vikings’ defensive signals which helped guide the team to victory.

“I just remember Bake came in the locker room, literally at halftime, he said, ‘I got it. We got all these signals,’” White said on the Buccaneers Radio Network. “We’re in there talking as an offense and he’s like, ‘I know all these signals. If they do this, they’re going into Cover 2. If they do this, they’re going into Cover 3. Every time I alert this and they do this signal, they’re dropping back to this.’ And I’m like, ‘Wow, that’s amazing.’ . . . I was just listening to him and we were listening to him and we just kind of understood.”

The Bucs eked out an impressive win over the Vikings as Mayfield, after a slow start, picked up his game and made key plays down the stretch. The Bucs are now officially in the post-Tom Brady ear and will look to build upon this win in the upcoming games. They will play the Chicago Bears at home next Sunday.

In case you missed it:

Do follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter