After bouncing around from team to team over the last couple of seasons, Baker Mayfield is ready to make the Tampa Bay community his long-term home, thanks to a new three-year contract extension.
At the team’s press conference earlier this week to officially announce the deal, Mayfield reflected on the impact Bucs fans had on his decision, and the special energy they bring to the team.
“It’s a special place,” Mayfield said. “I came into this place not really knowing what the community was like. [I was] hearing it’s a hockey town, even though they were coming off of a Super Bowl. Just seeing the passionate fans – the ones that talk about going to the ‘Old Sombrero,’ the ones that have been fans for a long time and have stuck it out through the thick and thin – that’s what makes it special, the people that are traditional fans. Obviously, we always welcome new ones, but the ones that have been here for the long haul make it really special.”
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Mayfield’s excited to continue having a positive impact on the Tampa Bay community outside of football, as well.
“For Emily and I, we started our foundation last year and just being able to [have] a ‘boots on the ground’ mentality and make a difference in the community – for us, this is a great opportunity to do that,” Mayfield said. “I knew nothing about it, but it’s a laid-back city. People are really, really passionate about their sports and it gives us an opportunity to really make a difference in the long run.”
After enjoying the best season of his career in 2023, Mayfield is primed for even better things ahead, and he’s clearly thrilled that he’ll be able to do it in front of the Tampa Bay faithful.
