Who is Baker Mayfield? The journeyman who found new life with the Buccaneers

In the NFL, where stability is a luxury, Baker Mayfield (Austin, Texas, April 14, 1995) embodies pure resilience. Known as a "journeyman"—a nomadic quarterback who has played for four teams in less than two years—Mayfield has transformed his career from a once-promising prospect to a seasoned star with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he made his NFL debut as the number 1 pick in the 2018 Draft and now leads an explosive offense. His story begins in college, where after one season at Texas Tech, he transferred to Oklahoma as a walk-on—the first player in that position to win the Heisman Trophy in 2017. The Cleveland Browns, desperate for a franchise quarterback, selected him first overall in 2018 with a rookie contract worth $32.7 million. His debut did not disappoint: in Week 1 against the Steelers, he threw for 295 yards and a 21-21 tie, starting a streak of 17 consecutive games with a passing touchdown, the second longest in NFL history. But the good times didn't last. In Cleveland (2018-2021), he amassed 14,125 yards and 88 touchdowns, but injuries and pressure led to his trade to the Carolina Panthers in July 2022 for just a conditional sixth-round draft pick. There, in seven starts, he threw for 1,313 yards and six TDs, but was released after five games by coach Matt Rhule—an episode that Mayfield still remembers with a touch of sarcasm, as evidenced in the recent 29-27 victory over the Jets, where he joked about a former staff member. The odyssey continued: in November 2022, he signed with the Los Angeles Rams for one year and $2.8 million, where in two starts he excelled with 1,400 passing yards, 10 TDs and only two interceptions, saving the Rams' season. In March 2023, he arrived in Tampa Bay on a "minimum contract" of one year and $4 million—including a $2.87 million signing bonus—competing with Kyle Trask to succeed Tom Brady. "I came here to revive my career and enjoy it," he said then. And he did: in 2023, he led the Bucs to the playoffs with 4,044 yards, 28 TDs and a division title (9-0 vs. Panthers in Week 18), earning a three-year, $100 million extension in 2024. 2024 was his apotheosis: 4,500 yards (personal and Bucs record), 41 TDs (fourth in NFL history with 4,000+ yards, 40+ TDs and 70%+ completion rate), 71.4% completion rate and a 106.8 passer rating—the best non-Brady rating in Tampa. In 2025, with the Bucs 3-0, Mayfield adds 277 yards and key plays in Week 3 vs. Texans (20-19 comeback), and his offense averages top-5 in yards and TDs. "More wins" is his mantra, with 69 touchdowns in two years—more than anyone else. At 30 years old, Mayfield has earned $87.8 million in his career, has endorsement deals with Popeyes ("Better Mayfield"), and has been married to Emily Wilkinson since 2018. From journeyman to team captain (2024), his drive and determination position him as a 2025 MVP candidate.