Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield loves a good comeback story

TAMPA — Comebacks are nothing new for Baker Mayfield. Not only was he able to revive his career with the Bucs, he may have been at his best when his team was trailing or tied in the fourth quarter.

The more chaos there is, the calmer Mayfield seems to act.

Last year, he orchestrated late victories in the season opener in Minnesota and on December 10 in Atlanta.

He also led a 10-play, 61-yard drive in Houston on Nov. 5 that gave the Bucs a 37-33 lead with 46 seconds left.

But the Bucs defense was unable to secure the win, allowing Texans quarterback CJ Stroud to throw the game-winning touchdown pass to Tank Dell with six seconds left in the game. The loss ended 39-37.

According to Pro Football Reference, Mayfield has eight fourth-quarter comebacks and ten game-winning drives in his career.

“I would say when everyone else is feeling the chaos, it’s all the better to focus on the task at hand,” Mayfield said. “I’ve made that throw a thousand times. I’ve read that countless times. How can I get back to that instead of overthinking it and overdoing it in those moments?

“That’s why some guys make incredible plays at crucial moments. But most of the time it’s just routine. It’s just basic quarterback play, getting the ball out of your hands and making the right decisions. Give it to your guys, get it in their hands and let them make plays.”

The Bucs were notorious for being slow to get going on offense last season, failing to score a point on their first offensive drive in 19 consecutive games (including the playoffs).

But when Mayfield was cornered, he came back firing. Part of it is because, depending on the situation, you know what kind of defense you’re going to see in those situations. But it’s also a testament to veteran players like receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin understanding the urgency without rushing to execute.

“You saw that a lot last year when we got into two-minute mode,” Mayfield said. “We were so bad at starting fast, and then we get into two-minute mode and it’s, ‘OK, just get the ball out, put it in their hands and keep going.’ I think that’s what we did so well in the beginning, (and) it’s no different in the final minutes of the game. Yes, the scenario is different, the stakes are a lot higher, but it’s just back to basics.”

Catching rice

Not many receivers track the ball better than Evans, but he will make history with every pass this season.

Evans could tie Jerry Rice with 11 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving touchdown seasons if he can continue his streak in 2024. He needs six touchdowns to become the 11th player in NFL history to reach the 100-yard mark in his career.

“I definitely want to score 100 touchdowns,” Evans said. “Only a certain number of guys can do that … so that would be elite, elite company to do that. And then of course Jerry is one of the best, arguably the best to ever do that. So to match one of his records or to match him would be an incredible accomplishment for me. So I’m definitely aiming for all of them.”

Evans can hardly believe he is entering his 11th NFL season and that he is already on his third contract with the Bucs, which will pay him $41 million over the next two seasons. His career earnings are $110.362 million.

“I appreciate it more and more,” Evans said. “Football has done things for me that I never thought possible. Of course you dream about it, but when you actually make it that far and you get to do all those things … When I look back on it at the end of my career, I’ll appreciate it even more.”

He has invested a large part of his football career in helping others through his Mike Evans Family Foundation.

“I love watching high school kids and helping them,” he said. “I work out with a lot of high school kids in the offseason — especially receivers. Some DBs, but especially receivers, and it’s cool to watch them and their seasons now. I follow them, follow the guys I coached with in college. I just love the game. I love what it can do for people, and I love it overall. Even with the fans. It just brings people together.”

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