Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, legendary quarterback Tom Brady provided his perspective on some of the most captivating throws throughout the 18-week schedule. Among the rundown, Brady gave recognition to Baker Mayfield's bomb to Tez Johnson in the Week Six clash with the San Francisco 49ers. To commemorate the dart and all of its glory, let's take a retrospective view of the play at Raymond James Stadium.
Up by one point, 20-19 in the third quarter from second-and-11, Mayfield pump-faked to the right and once the safety bit and came back, the signal-caller let it rip downfield to the left. Johnson made an incredible grab to give Tampa Bay a 27-19 advantage. Johnson adjusted his route, running a seam down the middle of the field from the slot and raised his hand to signal Mayfield downfield. The rookie receiver fully extended his body parallel to the gridiron to haul in the catch, providing the Bucs with cushion over the visiting 49ers.
"If you throw a flat deep ball, it needs to be perfectly thrown," said Brady via NFL on FOX. "So, what I like about this throw is Baker does not want the ball in the air very long, so he flattens the throw out. It doesn't leave the screen and Tez Johnson stretches out and catches the back half of the ball before he ends up falling into the end zone. A ridiculous throw and an even better catch."
It all worked in unison â the bait of the defender's eyes by Mayfield, Johnson identifying the coverage depth lapse and shifting â to create a memorable moment in 2025, punctuated by the rookie receiver's acrobatic flip in the end zone.
