Buccaneers GM Jason Licht Calls Baker Mayfield 'The Ultimate Competitor'
If there were a way to record approval ratings for NFL general managers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' own Jason Licht would likely have one of the highest.
While he's certainly not doing it by himself, Licht and his staff have been able to retain some of the team's best talent in the face of mounting salary cap issues, contract negotiations, and the fact that every other team would love to poach guys from a Buccaneers team that has made it to four consecutive postseasons.
That included Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield who likely would have been among most sought-after players in free agency had he not agreed to a new deal with the franchise before the open negotiating period began on Monday.
“Baker is the ultimate competitor and has demonstrated strong leadership and resilience on the field over his six-year career,” Licht said of Mayfield on the day of his official re-signing. “He set the tone for our success last season through his grit and determination and his unwavering commitment to his teammates. Our entire team feeds off the energy and passion that Baker brings, and he will play a key role in continuing to build off the winning culture that has been established here. We are all looking forward to seeing Baker build off last year’s success as we continue our pursuit of winning another Super Bowl.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates the touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
As much as the Bucs love what they've found in Mayfield, he's been equally complimentary of the franchise and made no secret of his desire to return in 2024 and beyond.
He and future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans both expressed a desire to return, and return together, as they look to continue the solid post-Tom Brady production they were able to create in just one season together.
Those attributes Licht described are what makes Mayfield so beloved in the Buccaneers locker room, and what gives some outsiders a wrong impression of the quarterback to this day.
They're also some of the things coach Todd Bowles said attracted him to the quarterback when he was coming out of Oklahoma as an NFL prospect.
“It’s always great to be able to extend a player and a person of Baker’s caliber,” said Bowles. “Baker is the epitome of what we look for in a player: he’s tough, strong-willed, competitive, resilient, and elevates the people around him. He is a thoughtful and genuine teammate who will do anything to help the team win. He was a huge part of our success during the 2023 season, and we look forward to having him continue to lead our offense into the future.”
Mayfield, Evans, safety Antoine Winfield Jr., and linebacker Lavonte David were all in various levels of 'up in the air' at one point or another as all had expiring contracts following 2023.
Each of them is back for 2024, and with them returns momentum, excitement, and further evidence that even if the results aren't always what they set out for, from the front office to the playing field, Tampa Bay has the right people running the organization.
Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2024 offseason.
