Only a few in the NFL may have turned around their career like Baker Mayfield has. He arrived in the league with a chip on his shoulder to prove himself among the pros. A first-ever ‘walk-on‘ Heisman Trophy winner in College Football history, Mayfield had already shown how special he can be. But when it came to the NFL, his career wasn’t smooth sailing. The Cleveland Browns drafted Mayfield with their No.1 overall pick in hopes he could rebuild their franchise. But after a rocky 4-year stint, the Browns gave up on Mayfield. He was shipped off to the Carolina Panthers, but Mayfield didn’t even last a full season before getting released with a 1-5 record.

But then came an unexpected turn when the Los Angeles Rams, in need of a quarterback, took a chance on him in December 2022. Just days after being claimed off waivers, Mayfield led the Rams to a stunning 17-16 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. He did credit the Rams for rejuvenating his career, “It brought the fun back,” but it was with Tampa Bay that Mayfield truly found his second wind.

The Buccaneers gave him a chance, but they were cautious. The one-year contract was probably the final opportunity for Mayfield to succeed in the NFL. And boy, did he flourish. Taking up the reins of a post-Tom Brady Bucs team, Mayfield stood and delivered. Under his leadership, the Bucs won their third-straight NFL South title and a fourth consecutive playoff berth. With that, he convinced everyone that he was more than capable of leading an NFL franchise. So, Troy Aikman, who had been one of the biggest fans of Baker, was full of praise, talking about his NFL renaissance.

“I’m a big fan of Baker’s…He’s had a rocky road, you know, the way it began. I was calling the Cleveland Browns game the night he came off the bench on a Thursday night and led the team from behind to a victory, it was electric. Then to see things sour the way that they did and him bounce around a little bit when he went to Carolina and then the Rams and now to Tampa and him betting on himself the way that he has, I couldn’t be more happy for him. Couldn’t be prouder of the way he’s handled everything,” Aikman said in a radio interview on the Franchise Boarding Show.

It all started well for Mayfield in Cleveland. Mayfield came off the bench with the Browns trailing by 14-0 against the Jets in a September 2018 game. Mayfield completed 17 of 23 passes for 201 yards in just over a half of play, leading Cleveland to a 21–17 victory and ending their 19-game winless streak. However, things went downhill from there, and while there was some respite with the Rams, he has found his true calling.

In his first season with Tampa Bay, Mayfield led the Buccaneers to a 9–8 regular-season record and a dominant 32–9 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round. His impressive performance earned him a Pro Bowl selection and the PFWA Most Improved Player award.

Well, Mayfield didn’t just save himself from being termed a washed-up QB through his 2023 campaign; his determination to keep fighting for his worth earned him what he was always destined for. Mayfield’s 4,044 passing yards for 28 TDs and just 10 INTs were enough for the Bucs to give him a three-year $100M contract with $50M in guarantees last year.

As Aikman added, “Then last year when he was able to get his payday, after enduring all that he did, and not everyone’s road is easy…He weathered the ups and downs early in his career. And now he’s found a home in Tampa Bay and he’s really done a great job. He is one of my favorite players in the league, and I continue to root for him.”

Now, some could get comfortable, having finally settled down after a rocky tenure. But not Mayfield. He took his game up a notch to add another layer to his comeback story.

Baker Mayfield’s renaissance in the NFL continues

2024 turned out to be one of the best seasons Tampa Bay had ever witnessed a QB deliver whose name wasn’t Tom Brady. Just take a look at his numbers.

• 4,685 passing yards: Third-best in the entire league
• 43 TDs on the air: Tied for 2nd best in the whole NFL
• 71.4% completion rate: Again 3rd in the NFL.
• 401 rushing yards and 3 scores on the ground: Both his career-high.

Mayfield’s 2024 season wasn’t just a good season—it was an elite campaign filled with TD galore. Those numbers even helped Baker rewrite the NFL history books. Last season, he became just the 4th player in history to put up over 4,000 passing yards, 40 TDs, and a completion percentage over 70. A 4th straight division title and an NFC-best fifth consecutive postseason appearance. Bucs under Baker are a force to be reckoned with.

This season, he will be hoping to get them deeper into the playoffs after last season’s disappointing wild-card exit. And considering how Mayfield’s numbers are flying off the charts, it might be just a matter of time before he takes them on a Super Bowl run.