“Baker Mayfield just ripping smelling salts otw outta the tunnel. Absolute FOOTBALL guy,” Betting Machine wrote on X after Tampa Bay’s Wild Card game against the Eagles on January 16, 2024. This viral moment captures the essence of Mayfield’s approach to the game – intense, focused, and unapologetically old-school.

But it’s not just smelling salts that get Mayfield fired up. A recent social media post by the Bucs showed their quarterback glued to his phone in the locker room, soaking in Mike Tyson highlights before a game. This pregame ritual offers a window into the mindset fueling Mayfield’s resurgence with Tampa Bay.

Mayfield’s mental edge is Mamba mentality meets Iron Mike

Mayfield’s fascination with sports legends isn’t new. Back in his Cleveland days, he openly admired Kobe Bryant’s infamous “Mamba Mentality.” Bryant even paid a surprise visit to the Browns’ team hotel before a game against the Broncos in December 2018.

“He’s just one of those guys, attitude-wise, there’s no one else in the world like him,” Mayfield said of Bryant at the time. “He was one of my idols growing up, I’m not good at basketball so not like that, but just mentality-wise. Work ethic, determination, will to win.”

Now, it seems Iron Mike has joined Mayfield’s pantheon of motivational figures. The quarterback’s pregame ritual of watching Tyson highlights isn’t just about getting pumped up – it’s a calculated move to tap into the boxing legend’s renowned intensity and unwavering focus.

Tyson’s influence on Mayfield goes beyond just pregame motivation. It’s about embracing adversity and turning it into fuel. Much like Tyson’s aggressive style in the ring, Mayfield has learned to attack challenges head-on. This mindset was on full display in November 2021, when Mayfield drew inspiration from both Bryant and Tyson ahead of a crucial game against the Bengals.

“It’s the type of sick, twisted mindset that I’ve idolized — guys like Kobe and Mike Tyson, people that when they have their back against the wall, the best comes out and you see what somebody’s made of,” Mayfield explained back in 2021. This statement, made during his time with the Browns, sheds light on why he continues to draw inspiration from Tyson even now with the Buccaneers.

This mental toughness has been the bedrock of Mayfield’s career. From walking on at two different colleges to winning the Heisman, he’s always thrived as an underdog. That spirit hasn’t left him, even as he’s found success in the NFL.

Mayfield’s comeback story from Cleveland to Tampa

Mayfield’s journey to Tampa Bay was far from smooth. After stints with the Browns, Panthers, and Rams, some wondered if he’d ever live up to his draft hype. But the Bucs took a chance, and it’s paying off in spades.

The numbers tell the story. Through the first month of the 2024 season, Mayfield boasted a career-high passer rating of 106.9, completing 70.5% of his passes for eight touchdowns and just two interceptions. He even added two rushing touchdowns for good measure.

What’s changed? For starters, Mayfield’s footwork has improved dramatically. His quarterbacks coach, Thad Lewis, jokes about it as per Yahoo News, saying, “When his feet are bad, I got a saying like, ‘Hey man, I know you drive a Bronco, but I need you to be smooth like a Mercedes right now.'” This attention to detail is pure Mamba Mentality in action.

But it’s not just about physical skills. Mayfield’s decision-making has matured. He’s learned to take what the defense gives him, rather than always hunting for the big play. As Lewis puts it, “If you gotta make the perfect throw, you’re making the wrong throw.”

The results speak volumes. In a statement win over the Philadelphia Eagles early in the 2024 season, Mayfield threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns in the first half alone. His teammate, Mike Evans, gushed, “Baker’s one of the best dual threat quarterbacks in the league. He was making plays in the pocket, outside the pocket, extending plays.”

Mayfield watching Tyson before the game is not about getting pumped up but rather underscores a quarterback who understands the mental side of the game. Just like Tyson dominated the ring with his ferocious mindset, Mayfield is proving the same in the NFL – that the right mentality can be the game-changer, and for Bucs fans in their seats, watching their team defy expectations, this is a winning combination.