“It’s Like He Game Plans Himself”
October 12th, 2025
Baker Mayfield (right) with offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard.
After playing for more offensive coordinators than years he’s served in the NFL, Baker Mayfield has learned a thing or two about preparing to dissect a defense.
He’s become more of a master of that craft, says his quarterbacks coach.
Lewis spent eight NFL seasons playing the position with eight different teams, so he’s been around a load of QBs and playcallers. He spoke this week about Mayfield’s preparation on the Buccaneers Radio Network.
“It’s like he game plans himself,” Lewis said of his quarterback. “So he can come in and he’ll have an idea or something he sees or how he sees the game. And so if you don’t know what you’re talking about, he’ll call you out on it because he actually does.
“I mean, he comes in, he looks at first and second down. He looks at third down. He looks at the red zone. He knows the coverages. He knows all his protection issues. He knows everything. And so, I mean, his preparation is coming in early. I’m in here at 3:30, 4 o’clock in the morning; he’s right behind me. Just seeing him take that next step of his game, you know, just to prepare. And he’s watching film just as much as the coaches are watching film. He has his personal laptop, he has his notes that he take, he has his color coordinated situations he does with his highlighters. And it is so amazing to see how he prepares and the things that he do. It’s amazing.”
Fun stuff from Lewis. The growing legend of Mayfield seems to have many layers.
Joe wonders if Mayfield is ripping smelling salts to study film at 5 a.m. Joe wouldn’t bet against it.
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