Regardless of what is to come in these chapters of Baker Mayfield being the starting quarterback of the Bucs, it’s already evident that Mayfield will have a memorable impact for quite a while in Tampa. Some players tend to have an aura around them that others gravitate toward. It can be motivating, inspiring or some other kind of feeling.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today
It’s easier to tell it in the moment, but the true sign of someone who has a lasting legacy is when their presence is still felt even when they aren’t around the building as much anymore. He’ll have it with the Bucs, but Mayfield already has that special connection back to his college playing days.
Baker Mayfield last played football at Oklahoma eight years ago. There are several Oklahoma players at the 2025 NFL Combine who obviously never had the chance to play with him given the age gap, but his impact on current and former Sooner players in the program is just almost as prolific as it was when he was playing.
Certainly winning a Heisman Trophy already puts him in high regard, but it’s how Baker Mayfield has continued to show his passion for Oklahoma even as his NFL career continues to grow that has truly meant a lot to many from the university.
Mayfield still tries to do as much as he can for the school. Whether it’s speaking to the team when he can or even showing up for the Red River Rivalry against Texas when he was in his first year with the Bucs, there’s always something happening.
Oklahoma Prospects Discuss Baker Mayfield At The Combine
Oklahoma edge rusher Ethan Downs grew up wanting to play for Oklahoma, and it was a dream come true when he was able to. He recalled a time taking a visit to the school and getting to see Mayfield in person. Years later, Mayfield is the one talking to him and his teammates getting them ready for a season.
“I think I was a sophomore, a junior in high school getting to watch him going on visits, seeing him in action,” Downs said. “It’s so different seeing someone on TV and directly going to see someone in person, see their work, see their energy and the aura they have around them, the impact they have on a team and in a locker room.
“When I got there, of course he had moved on to the NFL already, but seeing him come back in the locker room, will speak to the team, everybody’s leaning forward, got eyes on him. Totally so much respect for him and what he brings to the game, the kind of person and player he is. He’s legitimate.”
Danny Stutsman, a linebacker for the Sooners, also has an interesting perspective when it comes to Mayfield. Stustman played high school in Winter Garden, Florida, which is a suburb of Orlando. Growing up, he watched the Bucs because of where they are geographically. He went out of his way to mention Baker Mayfield because of the connection.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
“They’ve had a lot of great teams in the past,” Stutsman said of the Bucs. “Right now with Baker Mayfield, that’s an Oklahoma guy, it’s a really exciting time for Tampa Bay.”
He continued about Mayfield’s presence at their alma mater.
“You see a huge statue on campus, when a guy like that is around, he gets the attention from the crowd,” Stutsman said. “He had a legendary career there, he’s a great man and a great person so when he’s around, a lot of the guys listen to what he has to say.”
Safety Billy Bowman echoed a similar sentiment about how he captivates an audience.
“There’s been times when Baker Mayfield has come back to the university, whether to speak before we played Texas or it was during the offseason and he came and spoke,” Bowman said. “He has pictures everywhere in the facility, obviously has a Heisman statue outside of the stadium. Baker Mayfield is definitely a legend there.”
How Much Offseason Input Are Bucs Taking From Baker Mayfield?
The Bucs have seen firsthand the importance of chemistry and bonding with a team leader. When Bucs general manager Jason Licht spoke at the Combine this week, he called the 2024 season for the Bucs a fun season despite not reaching their ultimate goal. This is a tight-knit group that has that cohesion because of certain people such as their quarterback.
“I’ve never seen a more cohesive group,” Licht said. “The chemistry in the locker room is off the charts, and I think that played a huge role in it. Baker [Mayfield] plays a huge role in that, along with a lot of other players.”
Bucs GM Jason Licht and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by Cliff Welch P/R
Some of the fun comes from having a career year. Baker Mayfield set personal bests with 4,500 passing yards and 41 passing touchdowns as the Bucs had a top three offense in the league.
Because of that success, Tampa Bay has no problem getting Mayfield’s input on specific players they might be looking to add to their team. That led to Sterling Shepard coming to the Bucs last season, and it might impact who they draft this year.
“When you have a leader like Baker [Mayfield], it’s easy to go to them and it’s easy to take their advice or let them give their input,” Licht said. “You don’t necessarily go with everybody’s input but when you have a leader like that, he knows the locker room better than I do.”
“I talk with Baker often, just like Todd [Bowles] does, but I talk with Baker often. We have a very good, healthy relationship where we can speak our minds.”
Plenty of players, even at different positions, would love the chance to call Mayfield a teammate.
“I was a few years late there, but it would be awesome to play with him in Tampa,” Bowman said. “Tampa is first and foremost a great spot – Florida and everything like that. But Baker Mayfield, [I’m] just hearing the leader aspects he has and the winning mentality.”
