Baker Mayfield doesn’t need extra motivation after a turnover-filled performance in Week 1.
His former team provides it anyway.
Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the Cleveland Browns at 1 p.m. Sunday in their home opener at Raymond James Stadium.
“I think anytime – as I’ve mentioned to you guys, (when) there’s history between a franchise, a coaching staff, anybody – there’s always (that feeling of) you want to come out on the winning side of that no matter what,” Mayfield said Wednesday. “Obviously, it’s very different there staff-wise and everybody. Yeah, I spent four years there. I’m going into year four here. … I started my career there — (there were) a lot of ups and downs. But yeah, for me this week, (it’s about) doing the little things right, continuing to try and just place the ball where it needs to go, and then obviously making the corrections I need to in ball security.”
The Bucs started the season with a 33-27 loss at Cincinnati. Mayfield lost three fumbles against the Bengals that led to 17 points, including one that was returned for a score.
ALSO READ: Bucs, Mayfield fumble away season opener, lose 33-27 at Cincinnati
He was drafted No. 1 overall by the Browns in 2018 and had an inconsistent tenure in Cleveland. He led the Browns to a playoff victory against Pittsburgh in 2020 but was gone after an injury-plagued 2022 season.
The Browns dealt Mayfield to Carolina after making a blockbuster trade for Deshaun Watson that has been a disaster for the organization. Watson could be starting his last game for the Browns this week if he plays poorly again.
Mayfield is the only quarterback to lead the Browns to a playoff win in the 2000s.
“I think, for me, it goes back to the faith, you know, looking up and knowing that, no matter what happens, if I control what I can control and (am) doing things the right way, obviously, I want to win,” Mayfield said. “As an ultra-competitor, that’s what you want to do at all times. So (it’s about) having trust in that, having faith in that and, yeah, taking it one day at a time.”
ALSO READ: With Bowles on hot seat, Bucs try to turn offseason changes into a playoff return
Browns first-year coach Todd Monken was Cleveland’s offensive coordinator in 2019, when Mayfield regressed after a promising rookie season. He threw 22 touchdowns passes and 21 interceptions in a 6-10 season.
“Well, first off, he’s highly intelligent,” Monken said of Mayfield. “You could just get the beginning of a call out of your mouth and he’s already got it down. He wants the game plan early so he can look at it at home. He comes in the building prepared. On the field, he’s just highly, highly competitive and he holds himself to a high standard and he holds others to a high standard, which is everything you’re looking for in a player, I guess just in a human being in general.”
What did the veteran quarterback learn in his four years in Cleveland?
“A lot of things. I think probably the biggest one (is) trying to be the same person each and every day for the guys in the locker room, the people you work with, the staff that you’re around each day, (and understanding) that some things are out of your control,” Mayfield said. “If you’re trying to get it fixed and you’re not worried about the football aspect of your job, you’re probably letting some things slide and fall by the wayside. So, I think controlling who I am each and every day, trying to lead the best way possible and control the offense and, yeah, ultimately win.”
ALSO READ: Mayfield, Bucs agree on 'life-changing' 3-year, $165 million contract extension
Mayfield already played against the Browns and lost in 2022 during a tumultuous season with the Panthers. He ended up being released that season, rebounded with coach Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams and joined the Buccaneers in 2023 after Tom Brady retired.
He’s become a franchise QB in Tampa Bay, making two Pro Bowls and leading the Bucs to a pair of NFC South titles. Last week, he got a $165 million, three-year contract extension.
“Yeah, I’m sure it still motivates him,” Browns cornerback Denzel Ward said about Mayfield’s time in Cleveland. “Baker’s a guy that feeds off of motivation, a lot of things, and I know he’s competitive and any game he’s going to want to come in and do his best, but I’m sure he’s definitely motivated for the game.”
