So far, so good for the Bucs, riding on a solid 4-3 start, and Baker Mayfield? He’s putting on quite the show himself. Last week, during the loss to the Ravens, he tossed three TDs like he was playing catch in the backyard. But here’s the kicker: his biggest headlines weren’t just from those sweet passes. Nope! They came from a little sideline incident. Picture this—Baker, down 17-10 in the third quarter, casually popped what looked like a Zyn pouch into his mouth. But it seems he’s walking away without any serious repercussions.

That’s very unlikely of the NFL, as it has been throwing fines left, right, and center of late. But that’s what ESPN’s Jenna Laine reported. She said that Baker won’t be facing any serious fines for his sideline snack. He’d just be getting a friendly reminder letter. You know, like when your mom catches you sneaking cookies before dinner and she gives you a warning. Yeah, it’s giving the same vibes.

But, here’s something is a bit different. Especially when Nicotine is prohibited on the sidelines, but they’re letting Baker slide this time. Why? Maybe they thought it was a rookie mistake, or perhaps they’re just trying to keep it low-key.

Now, let’s break down the rulebook. Section 4, Article 9 is pretty clear: players need to keep it professional on game day, and that means no tobacco products on the sidelines. So why didn’t the NFL throw the book at Baker? Well, Zyn is a tobacco-free nicotine pouch that’s exploded in popularity lately. We’re talking about a product so trendy it was in short supply earlier this year!

This rise is partly thanks to social media and endorsements from big names like Joe Rogan. Zyn markets itself as a tool to help people kick tobacco, but let’s face it—it’s also snagging a younger crowd into nicotine. And that’s why, in a twist, Zyn even sent Baker a little note urging him to skip using their product during games. Especially with the younger fans in the stands.

So, we can say that Baker dodged a bullet as the NFL is taking a laid-back approach this time. But he better put his focus on the game because you do not come at the end of the good side of the league every time.

Baker Mayfield remains locked in

Let’s be real—Baker Mayfield doesn’t need any extra drama when he’s already cooking up a storm on the field for the Bucs. He’s thrown for 1,859 yards, snagging 18 TDs against 7 interceptions so far this season. Not too shabby, right? But now, as he gears up for the Atlanta Falcons, he’s facing a bit of a shake-up. Both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are nursing injuries, which could leave Baker scrambling for options. But does he sound worried? Not a chance!

Instead of sulking about his star receivers sidelined, Baker’s got that “bring it on” attitude. “I’ll be extremely confident in those guys,” he said, referring to his lesser-known targets like Trey Palmer and Sterling Shepard. He emphasizes the chemistry he built with them in training camp. So, while some might see a dark cloud hanging over Tampa Bay, Baker’s flipping the script and embracing the chaos. Talk about a quarterback who thrives under pressure!

Sure, losing Evans and Godwin could seem like a major setback. But Baker’s not sweating it. He’s got solid support from tight end Cade Otten and running backs Rachaad White, Bucky Irving (questionable for Sunday), and Sean Tucker, all ready to catch some passes. This new-look offense might just surprise a few people. “It’s going to look different, but that’s okay,” he said. “It’ll be a little bit more creative, and we’ll have some fun with it.”

So, while the Bucs prepare for a showdown with the Falcons, it’s clear Baker’s mindset is all about adaptation and resilience. Who doesn’t love a little chaos on game day? Only time will tell if this turns out how Baker is manifesting it. But we’re here for the ride!