Changing the narrative.
Behind the scenes, and sometimes not-so-behind-the-scenes, Bucs types grumble (or more than grumble) that folks don’t put them on the same pedestal as some of the other top teams in the NFL when it comes to national media pandering and chatter.
That’s slowly beginning to change. If nothing else, Kay Adams has begun hyping up the Bucs. That’s worth something, right?
The Bucs folks have a point. How many teams have been to the playoffs five straight years, winning a Super Bowl and four straight division titles?
The Chiefs and the Bucs. That’s it.
Part of the reason the Bucs seem like an afterthought with many in the Fourth Estate is quarterback Baker Mayfield. When Tom Brady was here, he was an international superstar. Oh yeah, and he had six rings, too.
For sure, the Bucs were going to get a lot of run then. Any team with Brady was going to be in the brightest spotlight. Unfortunately, in many of our lifetimes, the Bucs will never match that height of international exposure again.
In comes Mayfield and he was largely dismissed as yet another No. 1 overall draft pick who flamed out. Joe predicted it would take three years of stellar play (and maybe a playoff run) for Mayfield to reverse that narrative.
We may be on the cusp of that.
Former NFL defensive back and NFL scout, Bucky Brooks, typing for NFL.com, suggested recently that if Mayfield puts up the numbers he did last year and the Bucs are on their way to winning the division, it’s time for Mayfield to [be seriously discussed](https://www.nfl.com/news/long-shot-picks-for-major-nfl-awards-2025?campaign=Twitter_atn) as one of the best players in the NFL.
> **Current odds to win MVP: +4000**
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> If Mayfield matches his 2024 numbers (71.4% completion rate, 4,500 passing yards with 41 touchdowns) and the Buccaneers win the NFC South for the fifth year in a row, I won’t be surprised if the former No. 1 overall pick rises to the top of the MVP conversation. This offseason Tampa Bay added another talented pass catcher (first-round pick Emeka Egbuka) to a stellar supporting cast that features a pair of rugged Pro Bowlers (Mike Evans and Chris Godwin) with exceptional ball skills and playmaking ability. With Bucky Irving commanding attention as a big-play specialist in the backfield, Mayfield can rack up impressive production directing an explosive offense built on low-risk throws to a collection of dynamic weapons. With the Bucs climbing the ranks as a dark-horse contender, Mayfield could ride off with the league’s top honor at season’s end.
Still, when you read/hear national media types discuss Mayfield, it is sort of in the same manner as Brock Purdy. They shrug their shoulders and kind of groan, “Yeah, but… ” Almost as if they have to take out the trash in order to give Mayfield his props.
So what would it take for Mayfield (and the Bucs) to accomplish this, getting Mayfield involved in MVP discussions? Well, win games, _soitenly_. And play top-shelf football.
But it is more than that. Mayfield has to win over the minds of those who vote for this award. Win high-profile games against high-profile teams. Play well in primetime games.
Clobber the Jets. Beat the Eagles and Lions. Slap around the Rams. (A win over the Bills would open eyes, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.).
Do all of that (no small feats) and the narrative of Mayfield being a washed-out former No. 1 overall pick who had a fluke good year or two in Florida will fade away. Finally.