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Baker Mayfield has silenced his critics both on and off the field, leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to new heights while embracing a fresh perspective on life.
The quarterback, once known for keeping tabs on his detractors, revealed on Wednesday that he has stepped away from social media to eliminate distractions and prioritize his team.
"That's been a growing process," Mayfield said in a press conference.
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"I used to keep a lot of notes and try to prove people wrong, but that's not the way to go about life. You gotta believe in yourself, you gotta move on, play for each other."
The shift in Mayfield's mindset has aligned with a resurgence in his career. After nearly falling out of the NFL, the 29-year-old has led the Buccaneers to back-to-back NFC South titles, solidifying his position as their franchise quarterback.
Mayfield has led the Bucs' resurgence
Mayfield's path to success hasn't been smooth. After being traded by the Cleveland Browns to the Carolina Panthers in 2022, he struggled through seven games before being released. He then signed with the Los Angeles Rams, stepping in during their injury-plagued season, where his performance in five games caught the attention of Tampa Bay.
Mayfield initially ed the Buccaneers on a one-year deal, leading them to a division title in his first season. His stellar play earned him a three-year, $100 million contract this past offseason.
Key to Mayfield's success has been the guidance of Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who previously worked with him during their time with the Rams. Under Coen's leadership, Mayfield posted career highs this season, throwing for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns.
As the Buccaneers prepare to host the Washington Commanders in a wild-card matchup this Sunday, Mayfield's focus remains firmly on his team. He attributes his growth to embracing the team dynamic and blocking out external noise.
"I love this group," Mayfield concluded.
"How can I do my job the best to perform for them and be prepared? That's blocking out the outside noise, and the easiest way to do that is to just not have it."
By shutting out distractions and believing in himself, Mayfield has transformed his career and embraced his role as a leader on and off the field.