13 September 2023 , 16:11
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was not mic'd up for Week 1 of the NFL season but was still caught trash-talking his opening week opponents.
The Buccaneers put themselves in a position to win in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings during their season opener. Mayfield executed a run-pass option play where he elected to pull the ball back and run for himself.
Upon accelerating, Mayfield rushed down the sideline to move the sticks and get a first down. The 28-year-old QB knew the crucial play could dictate the game's outcome.
As Mayfield neared the sidelines, Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., who stands at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, approached him. In response, the Buccaneers' quarterback executed a stiff-arm maneuver, successfully evading Murphy Jr.'s tackle attempt and gaining a few extra yards. However, his escape was short-lived, as four Vikings players eventually tackled him.
Immediately after the play, Mayfield — who is 6-foot-1, 215 pounds — was heard on the mic screaming, "Get your weight up, little boy," to Murphy, displaying the passion and fire he became known for upon entering the NFL after being selected as the No. 1 overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.
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Mayfield had a 21-for-34 passing performance, throwing for 173 yards and two touchdowns in the 20-17 victory. He garnered praise from numerous teammates, with running back Rachaad White among those commending his performance.
White pointed out that Mayfield could anticipate the defensive tactics of the Vikings and could predict their coverages based on their movements. This was a significant factor in the victory and demonstrated Mayfield's improved game IQ, which had previously been criticised early in his career.
Baker Mayfield is tackled by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr"I just remember Bake came in the locker room literally at halftime and said, 'I got it. We got all these signals,'" White said after the game. "We're in there talking as an offense, and he is like, 'I know all these signals."
"If they do this, they're going into Cover 2. If they do this, they're going into Cover 3. Every time I alert this, and they do this signal, they are dropping back to this.' And I am like, 'Wow, that's amazing.' I was just listening to him, and we were listening to him, and we just kind of understood."
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles also confirmed that the teammates of Mayfield "love him to death" after the game. "You know he's a player's player. He's a warrior," said Bowles to Sirius XM NFL.
Baker Mayfield signals to adjust the offense against the Vikings"He is always encouraging the guys. He leads by not just voice but example, as well. He's kind of a quarterback/offensive linemen mentality; he'll stick his face in the fan."
"You know, you don't like to see that as a coach all the time, but he will stick his face in the fan and get guys going — just to get guys going. These guys follow him, and they love him to death, and he's a great leader. And he really has done it his whole career."