Buffalo Bills' Sean McDermott Praises Tampa Bay Bucs QB Baker Mayfield

The Buffalo Bills will host Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday. Head coach Sean McDermott made sure to acknowledge Mayfield's strengths on Tuesday.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, for all that’s gone wrong since being selected first overall in 2018, has found himself a half-decent home in 2023.

He’s helped Tampa Bay get to 3-3 and in the thick of the NFC South race. In doing so, he’s won over the locker room and asserted himself back into conversations as a viable starting quarterback.

Mayfield will look to get back on track after a Week 7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday when the Buccaneers do battle with the Buffalo Bills.

Mayfield gets excited in a tight divisional game against the Atlanta Falcons / USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott spoke about the rebounding passer on Tuesday, who he scouted during the 2018 pre-draft circuit.

“Enjoyed the time we spent with him,” McDermott said. “Obviously, went first overall and had a great career in college. Plays with a lot of energy and seems like a good leader.”

Mayfield made noise at Oklahoma for being polarizing, but he was always more than willing to rally the troops. He lost favor in the locker room with his first NFL team, the Cleveland Browns, eventually being shipped out for a new, more reprehensible quarterback.

Mayfield’s maturity issues took on more importance because leadership and accountability are crucial to his game. When he doesn’t hold up his end of the bargain, the residual effects become apparent throughout the roster. He’s not Bills quarterback Josh Allen (who went a few picks after Mayfield in 2018), in that his physical talents cannot take over games. Mayfield is finding success as a distributor, ensuring the entire offense is on the same page.

McDermott feels that shift from gunslinging bad boy to point guard can be attributed to Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles.

“I think you see Coach Bowles’ thumbprint on it,” McDermott said. “Defensive coach, try to control the game, manage the game, not turning the ball over, giving the other team short fields. I think you’re seeing that influence, and you’re seeing a good offensive line. And they’re staying on schedule.”

Tampa Bay’s new quarterback has thrown for 1,363 yards and eight touchdowns in six games this season. He has avoided sacks at the best rate of his career and ultimately has done enough to avoid disaster.

With the Buccaneers’ talented defense, that may be enough to stay competitive in the NFC playoff picture. The Bills will be tasked with disrupting that plan and getting back on track in their own right on Thursday.