There was an air of uncertainty as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the 2023 NFL offseason. Despite winning the NFC South for the second-straight season, the team suffered an early exit from the playoffs and legendary Quarterback Tom Brady officially retired for good. A new era was on the horizon. The Bucs began their search for the next leader of the franchise. On March 15, 2023, they found their answer.
Baker Mayfield made Tampa Bay his home. After a training camp battle with Kyle Trask, he won the job and the Krewe has never looked back. Mayfield has put up career numbers wearing a Bucs' uniform. In 2024, he became just the second quarterback in Bucs' history to throw 40 or more touchdown passes in a single season. Mayfield threw for 4,500 yards that same year—the fifth-highest single-season total in the franchise's history. In just a short time, he ingrained himself into the very fabric of the community.
As the offseason progresses, let's revisit the three most memorable performances Baker Mayfield has delivered as a Buccaneer—starting with No. 3.
View photos of WR Emeka Egbuka's first day as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the exclusive Season Pass Member only, "Welcome to the Krewe" event at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Casey Phillips, Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka, Center Graham Barton, and Buccaneers Legend Dexter Jackson, during the exclusive Season Pass Member only, "Welcome to the Krewe" event at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives for his first day at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives for his first day at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives for his first day at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers arrives for his first day at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chief Public Relations Officer Nelson Luis during his first day at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers meets General Manager Jason Licht during his first day at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers meets General Manager Jason Licht during his first day at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers meets General Manager Jason Licht during his first day at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first day at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, General Manager Jason Licht and Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during his first day at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first day at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' and Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during his first day at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Wide Receivers Coach Bryan McClendon of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during his first day at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers meets Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during his first day at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - General Manager Jason Licht during Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first day at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers speaks with Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during his first day at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first day at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first day at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and General Manager Jason Licht during a press conference at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and General Manager Jason Licht during a press conference at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the exclusive Season Pass Member only, "Welcome to the Krewe" event at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the exclusive Season Pass Member only, "Welcome to the Krewe" event at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the exclusive Season Pass Member only, "Welcome to the Krewe" event at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the exclusive Season Pass Member only, "Welcome to the Krewe" event at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first day at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers meets with Director of Player Personnel Shane Scannell at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and College Scout Brian McLaughlin at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first day at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Senior Personnel Executive Byron Kiefer, and National Scout Andy Speyer at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and General Manager Jason Licht at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first day at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the exclusive Season Pass Member only, "Welcome to the Krewe" event at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and General Manager Jason Licht during a press conference at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and General Manager Jason Licht during a press conference at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and General Manager Jason Licht during a press conference at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during his press conference at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - April 25, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and General Manager Jason Licht during a press conference at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3. January 15, 2024 | NFC Wild Card Round 2023-2024 Playoffs vs. PHI | Tampa Bay 32, Philadelphia 9
Stat Line: 22/36, 337 yards, 3 TDs, 2 rushes, 16 yards
This is a game no one will forget anytime soon.
The Bucs entered the game winning their third-straight division championship after a 9-0 win in Carolina. However, the team failed to score more than 13 points in their last two games. League-wide experts questioned if the offense would regain the momentum they built in the second half of the season. Mayfield went on to silence all doubts.
The Eagles had no answers for the Bucs' onslaught. Mayfield led the team down the field for an opening-drive field goal. The following offensive drive, David Moore made three defenders miss on his electric 44-yard receiving touchdown. Mayfield's next touchdown came in the third quarter when Trey Palmer turned on the jets for a 56-yard score that extended the lead 25–9. The cherry on top came in the fourth quarter. Mayfield looked to his left, muttered "Be ready, Chris,” and floated a 23-yard pass to Chris Godwin's arms to solidify his second career playoff win.
2. December 29, 2024 | Week 17 2024 vs. CAR | Tampa Bay 48, Carolina 14
Stat Line: 27/32, 359 yards, 5 TDs
After a tough loss to the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football, the team knew they needed to bounce back. The Buccaneers could not afford another misstep with the NFC South up for grabs. Mayfield and cast rose to the occasion.
The Bucs' first two touchdowns were scored by Mike Evans, increasing his total to 11 on the season. Mayfield found Jalen McMillan in the end zone twice, extending the rookie's scoring streak to four games. Payne Durham also caught his first touchdown before promptly launching it into the crowd. Evans finished the game with 97 yards, a pivotal performance in his march toward another 1,000-yard milestone. It was the fourth time the Bucs scored 40 or more points that season. Mayfield finished the game with as many touchdowns as incompletions.
Mayfield's five passing touchdowns tied his career-high, the other time being in 2020 when he led Cleveland to a 37-34 victory over the Bengals. In a must-win game for the Bucs, he threw for 359 yards—the fifth-highest total of his career. The Falcons would fall to the Commanders the same night, giving control of the NFC South back to the Buccaneers. The Bucs would finish the job the following week.
1. December 17, 2023 | Week 15 2024 @ GB | Tampa Bay 34, Green Bay 20
Stat Line: 22/28, 381 yards, 4 TDs, 158.3 RTG
When you think of some of the most iconic venues in all of professional sports, Lambeau Field stands out. Built in 1957, it has seen the NFL's best to offer. With over 400 regular season games played and 25 playoff matchups hosted, the grounds have seen many memorable moments. However, Mayfield did something no one has ever seen in Green Bay. He became the first visiting quarterback with a perfect passer rating in the Frozen Tundra.
The Buccaneers entered the game following two-straight wins, looking to get back to .500 for the first time since Week Seven. Mayfield was a man on a mission. He did not let an early, first-quarter sack-fumble phase him, responding with a seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that ended with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Evans. The Bucs went into halftime up three and then switched into high gear. Mayfield threw three passing touchdowns in the next half, blazing by the Packers in the process.
His 381-yard performance was his highest single-game total as a Buccaneer and second-most of his career. At the time, Mayfield was one of just eight quarterbacks to post a perfect passer rating over the previous five seasons. Most notably, he is the only quarterback to achieve that feat on the road at Lambeau.
