Baker Mayfield fan.
Joe often types that players take on the personality of their coach. And so too can a team take on the personality of its quarterback.
The Bucs were a physical team last year. The only got beaten up in one game, against perhaps the most physical team in the league, the Crows. The Bucs were alley-beaten and had their lunch money taken away (Mike Evans and Chris Godwin got hurt).
Look how the Bucs played physical against another physical team like Detroit.
Look how the Bucs traveled across the country and squared up with another physical team like the Chargers — and punched them right in the mouth.
The Bucs were even physical against the Chiefs and held their own against a wannabe bully like the 49ers.
Could that be because the Bucs have a physical quarterback in Baker Mayfield? Joe often hears people say Mayfield has an offensive lineman mentality. That’s possible. Just look who Mayfield hangs with the most on his team: offensive linemen.
Mayfield and Tristan Wirfs are tight. And when Mayfield sprung for a brunch to welcome first-round pick Emeka Egbuka to town, who tagged along with Mayfield? Four starting offensive linemen.
Lavonte David sees Mayfield a little differently. While speaking to Kay Adams on her weekday show, “Up and Adams.” seen on FanDuel TV, a lightbulb lit up for David. In the middle of speaking highly about Mayfield, David figured out why he likes Mayfield so much.
Because, per David, Mayfield has a linebacker’s mentality.
When Mayfield makes a physical play, especially for a first down, the Bucs’ bench immediately gets charged up.
That happened in Mayfield’s first Bucs game in Minnesota. He ran for a key first down conversion by running over a cornerback, which helped sparked a win. In the background, Devin White and David could be seen going bananas on the sidelines. And sometimes, David confessed to Adams, he goes too bananas for Mayfield.
“I almost ran on the field to celebrate with him,” David said. “I remember [Todd] Bowles telling me to get back. That’s how excited I was.
“He plays quarterback like a linebacker — that’s what it is. That’s why I like it.”
Joe loves this style of play from Mayfield. But Joe also gets what Bucs quarterback coach Thad Lewis said recently. Mayfield is now 30, and 30-year-old bodies cannot handle the same punishment as 25-year-olds.
Lewis wants Mayfield to throw more passes away to save his body. The Bucs must have a healthy Mayfield in January if they hope to do anything in the postseason.
Problem is, if you force Mayfield to play safe, does that take away the edge that makes him such a good quarterback?
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— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) May 29, 2025