Tampa Bay Buccaneers edge rusher Haason Reddick knows how good Baker Mayfield is. Even before he signed a one-year deal to join the Bucs, Reddick had gotten a personal look at how deadly the former first-overall pick could be.
As Tampa Bay's franchise quarterback, Mayfield has already destroyed one of Reddick's defenses. During the 2023 playoffs, Mayfield's Buccaneers destroyed Reddick's Eagles by a 32-9 score.
Two years later, the two are now on the same side, and Mayfield is already impressing Reddick.
Following last week's minicamp, Reddick spoke glowingly about Mayfield as a quarterback and leader.
"A warrior. A hard-fought guy. I respect Baker a lot because he's another person in this league who has had ups and downs and continues striving to be as great as he wants to be or strives for greatness," Reddick said. "I have tremendous respect for him. I love his game. I do think he has a warrior's mentality and I think he's one of the QBs in this league that's on the more physical end."
Mayfield is a former top overall pick with plenty of playoff experience. He was the first quarterback to win a playoff game for the Cleveland Browns after they returned to the league in 1999.
He has now become the face of the Buccaneers thanks to two straight division titles in the NFC South behind him.
Reddick knows Mayfield well. While the two have had plenty of battles in recent seasons, they are both on the same team and trying to win a Super Bowl together.
If Mayfield's toughness is any indication, the Buccaneers are closer than people realize to that mark.