When Tom Brady announced his retirement from the NFL after the 2022 season, it marked the end of an era for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady, widely regarded as the greatest quarterback in NFL history, had led the Buccaneers to their second Super Bowl title in franchise history in just his first season with the team, delivering a remarkable late-career renaissance. However, after three seasons in Tampa, Brady’s departure left the Buccaneers with a leadership void and significant uncertainty at the quarterback position. Enter Baker Mayfield, the former No. 1 overall pick who arrived in Tampa Bay in 2023 on a one-year contract. At first glance, Mayfield and Brady appear to be polar opposites—one, a seven-time Super Bowl champion who built his legacy on meticulous preparation and poise under pressure; the other, a brash, outspoken player with a fiery competitive streak and an inconsistent career path. Yet, despite these stark contrasts, Mayfield has come to represent a surprising reminder of Brady for the Buccaneers in both tangible and intangible ways. As the 2023 season unfolded, it became increasingly clear that there is a reason why Mayfield could be considered “two sides of the same coin” when compared to Brady.
The Arrival of Baker Mayfield
After Tom Brady’s departure, the Buccaneers were thrust into an unexpected quarterback battle heading into the 2023 season. The team had some intriguing options with veteran players like Kyle Trask and Mayfield, who had both been brought in with the hope of stabilizing the position. However, it was Mayfield, after a brief stint with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022 and a somewhat turbulent career prior to that, who ultimately won the starting job. Mayfield’s career trajectory had been full of ups and downs, including strong starts with the Cleveland Browns, a mid-career slump, and a brief revival in L.A. Yet, his arrival in Tampa Bay symbolized an opportunity for redemption and reinvention.
When he first joined the Buccaneers, many viewed the move as a stopgap solution. Few expected Mayfield to immediately make a significant impact or to replicate the leadership Brady had provided. After all, Mayfield had experienced a much different path in the NFL than Brady, who had carved out his legendary career with unparalleled consistency. However, over the course of the 2023 season, Mayfield’s play, demeanor, and leadership qualities began to show surprising parallels to the very player he was replacing.
The Mentality of a Champion
Tom Brady’s success has always been defined by his mental fortitude. His work ethic, preparation, and ability to perform under pressure were hallmarks of his greatness. Brady often credited his success to his unyielding focus on the mental aspects of the game—his meticulous film study, his ability to stay calm in the face of adversity, and his leadership in the locker room. Despite his unmatched physical gifts, Brady’s ability to dissect defenses and understand the nuances of the game made him more than just a great quarterback—he became a student of the game and a leader who could elevate those around him.
In many ways, Baker Mayfield’s career has followed a different arc, but the mentality he adopted upon arriving in Tampa Bay shares significant similarities to Brady’s approach. Mayfield entered a volatile environment in 2023, with much of his career considered a mixed bag of highs and lows. After being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft by the Cleveland Browns, expectations were high, but inconsistencies in his play led to stints with multiple teams. However, since joining Tampa Bay, Mayfield seemed determined to silence his doubters by embodying a calm, focused mindset that is reminiscent of Brady’s approach to the game.
Mayfield’s leadership style has evolved to mirror many of the attributes that were key to Brady’s success. Despite the unpredictability that marked his earlier years, Mayfield arrived in Tampa with a renewed sense of maturity and responsibility. He quickly became known for his focus, particularly in practice, and demonstrated a work ethic that aligned with the high standards Brady had set during his time with the team. Mayfield began spending extra hours in the film room, breaking down defenses and preparing himself for each matchup. His attention to detail grew as he sought to be a more cerebral player, learning from the very best in the game. In a sense, Mayfield began to emulate Brady’s mastery of the mental side of football, understanding that preparation was as vital to success as raw talent.
Leadership and Intangibles
One of the most significant ways Baker Mayfield has reminded the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of Tom Brady is through his leadership. While Mayfield’s leadership style is not a carbon copy of Brady’s, there are important elements that mirror the way Brady commanded the respect of his teammates. In Tampa Bay, Brady had always been a vocal leader who set the tone both on and off the field. His expectations were sky-high, but he never asked anything of his teammates that he wasn’t willing to do himself. That relentless drive and commitment became a driving force behind the Buccaneers’ success during his tenure.
Mayfield, despite his brash personality and fiery demeanor, has shown a similar ability to command a locker room and bring a sense of unity to the team. While he may not have the same decade-long resume as Brady, Mayfield possesses the confidence and the belief that he is capable of leading his team to victory. This was evident throughout the 2023 season, as Mayfield connected with his teammates and cultivated a positive, determined atmosphere around the team. His passion and emotional energy were contagious, and in many ways, his infectious spirit reminded the Buccaneers of Brady’s leadership during his time in Tampa Bay.
Moreover, both quarterbacks share a unique ability to perform in crucial moments. While Brady’s comeback victories are the stuff of legend, Mayfield, too, has shown the ability to remain poised under pressure. He has often been described as someone who thrives in high-stakes situations, much like Brady did throughout his career. Mayfield’s ability to execute in crunch time and deliver when the game is on the line became a hallmark of his play in Tampa Bay, reinforcing the idea that he has the mental makeup of a winner—something the Buccaneers came to know all too well from Brady.
The Quarterback Play
On the field, the comparison between Baker Mayfield and Tom Brady is a bit more nuanced. Brady’s style of play was defined by a quick release, pinpoint accuracy, and an unparalleled understanding of offensive schemes. He thrived in the short to intermediate passing game, often relying on precise timing and reading defenses to execute plays. Mayfield, while not known for the same exact style of play, has developed a similar ability to manage the offense effectively. His strong arm, ability to make off-platform throws, and his capacity to move in and out of the pocket are some of the traits that distinguish him from Brady in a physical sense. However, Mayfield has also shown the same level of understanding when it comes to processing the game, making quick decisions, and distributing the ball efficiently to his playmakers.
Throughout the 2023 season, Mayfield has consistently shown that he can make all the necessary throws, and his deep-ball accuracy has been impressive—another quality that’s become an important part of the Buccaneers’ offensive game plan. Brady may have relied more on short, controlled passes, but Mayfield has introduced a new dimension to the offense with his ability to stretch the field and open up the playbook for head coach Todd Bowles.
The Bottom Line: Two Sides of the Same Coin
At first glance, comparing Baker Mayfield to Tom Brady seems like an unlikely exercise. Brady’s legacy as the greatest quarterback in NFL history is etched in stone, while Mayfield’s career is still unfolding. Yet, as the 2023 season wore on, it became clear that there were more similarities between the two quarterbacks than one might have expected.
Both quarterbacks share a relentless drive to improve and a fierce competitive nature. Their leadership styles, while different, both resonate strongly with their teammates. Mayfield’s ability to make plays in crucial moments and his increasing focus on the mental aspects of the game have allowed him to become a natural leader on the field, much like Brady did during his time in Tampa Bay. While Mayfield may not replicate the iconic success that Brady achieved in Tampa, the way he has carried himself since joining the Buccaneers suggests that the organization has found a player who, in his own way, embodies many of the characteristics that made Brady so great.
In many ways, Baker Mayfield represents the “other side of the coin” when it comes to the quarterback position for Tampa Bay—he may not be the GOAT, but his mentality, leadership, and emerging playmaking ability are traits that the Buccaneers came to cherish in Brady. Whether Mayfield can fully realize his potential in Tampa Bay remains to be seen, but if the 2023 season is any indication, he may just be the player to keep the Buccaneers competitive, filling the void left by Brady in ways that many did not expect.
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