Mayfield appreciates Bucs not treating him like 'dirty laundry'

Quarterback Baker Mayfield expressed his appreciation for the Buccaneers after finding a home in Tampa Bay following a few seasons of instability.

"You're having a lot more fun when you're not getting shipped off to different places like a piece of dirty laundry, I'll tell you that," Mayfield said this week on the "Mike Calta Show." "So, when I got embraced in Tampa, it made a world of difference."

He added, "I couldn't have been happier with the way it worked out."

The Cleveland Browns drafted Mayfield with the top pick in 2018. The Oklahoma product spent his first four seasons with the Browns and helped the franchise end its 26-year wait for a playoff win in 2020.

After establishing himself as the starter in Cleveland, Mayfield was dealt in 2022 to the Carolina Panthers, with whom he won the starting role and played seven games before being released.

The Los Angeles Rams acquired Mayfield midseason in 2022, and he led them to a dramatic win over the Las Vegas Raiders just two days after joining. Mayfield then signed one-year contract with the Buccaneers in 2023 following Tom Brady's retirement.

Mayfield thrived under center for the Bucs last season. He threw for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns to 10 interceptions and had a 64.3% completion rate. Tampa Bay won the NFC South and made it to the divisional round.

The Buccaneers rewarded Mayfield with a three-year, $100-million extension in March after he earned his first career Pro Bowl nod. After a productive campaign and securing a new contract, Mayfield is eager to build on his success.

"I'm so excited to be heading into another season with these guys, for the most part the same group, and just truly embrace that and build the chemistry even more," Mayfield said.