Why Baker Mayfield Walked Into Press Conference Wearing a Michigan Tank Top

Baker wore a Michigan tank top after his alma mater Oklahoma lost to the Wolverines, for whom Bucs head coach Todd Bowles plays for.

Why Baker Mayfield Walked Into Press Conference Wearing a Michigan Tank Top

Baker Mayfield wears a Michigan tank top at the Buccaneers press conference (Image via IMAGO/X)

Baker Mayfield suffered a double whammy over the weekend. Not only did the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lose on opening day of the new NFL season, but Mayfield’s beloved Oklahoma also lost in a rivalry game.

The 31-year-old paid the penalty for the latter. On Wednesday, Mayfield wore a Michigan Wolverine tank top during press conference as punishment. He said:

Oklahoma vs. Michigan, Todd’s son was on the winning side of it, and the Sooners were not. Therefore, I squeezed into this little tank top.

The ranked 24 Oklahoma faced the ranked 19 Michigan (unranked at kickoff) at Ann Arbor. The Sooners lost 17-10. As Mayfield noted, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles’ son Troy is a junior linebacker for the Wolverines. Troy wore No. 18 jersey. The younger Bowles played had nine tackles and recovered a fumble in the fixture. As the Sooners lost, Troy handed Baker one of his Michigan tank tops to wear.

Oklahoma and Michigan have only met three times in their history. The Sooners are 2-1, including an Orange Bowl triumph in the 1975-76 season. Baker never played Michigan in college. Of course, Mayfield won the Heisman Trophy in 2017.

Two days after Oklahoma lost, the Bucs played the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mayfield completed 23 of his 28 passes for 216 yards, rushed 5 times for 30 yards, and scored one touchdown. He also took 4 sacks. Second-year wide receiver Emeka Egbuka caught 5 passes for 63 yards.

For the Bengals, quarterback Joe Burrow threw for 254 yards, 1 touchdown, and one interception. Running back Chase Brown and tight end Mike Gesicki each scored a touchdown. The Bengals won 33-27. Despite the defeat, Mayfield has a 6-3 overall record against Cincinnati. In those games, he has accumulated a passer rating of 113.5, with 2,118 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions.

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Baker Mayfield sends warning to former club

In Week 2, the Buccaneers are at home—hosting the Cleveland Browns. Baker and the Browns have a sour history.

Why Baker Mayfield Walked Into Press Conference Wearing a Michigan Tank Top
Baker Mayfield (Image via IMAGO)

The Browns drafted Mayfield first overall in 2018. He went 12-17 the first two years, throwing 49 touchdowns and 35 interceptions.

In year three, Baker threw for 3563 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions to lead the Browns to an 11-5 season. In the wildcard round, he threw for 3 touchdowns and 263 yards to edge rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers to deliver the Browns’ first playoff victory in years. Mayfield said via Camryn Justice of WEWS:

First time having a playoff win since ’94 there…going on the road and doing it in Pittsburgh. Lot of good memories there—lot of teammates that are friends for life…like I said earlier, it’s a very different building now.

However, the Browns traded Mayfield after 14 games the following year, after wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.’s father alleged that the 31-year-old wasn’t throwing his son the ball enough.

In Week 2, Mayfield faces his old club. Both the Bucs and the Browns are 0-1 and have something to prove.

Mayfield has faced the Browns just once since leaving the AFC franchise, on opening day of the 2022 season. Mayfield threw for 235 yards, one touchdown, and one interception as a Carolina Panthers quarterback. Carolina lost 26-24. The Browns are 7-4 against the Buccaneers. They last played in Week 12 of the 2022 season. Tom Brady and the Bucs lost 23-17.

On September 8, 2026, the Buccaneers and Mayfield agreed to a 3-year, $165 million contract extension. Mayfield is 27-25 in the regular season as the Bucs’ quarterback. He has thrown for 12,237 yards and 95 touchdowns.

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