Baker Mayfield has Tampa Bay on notice after Buccaneers unexpected quarterback decision

The NFL’s deadline for all 32 teams to trim their rosters down to 53 has officially been and passed.

For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there was a shock inclusion in the quarterback room alongside Baker Mayfield in Jalon Daniels.

Getty

Mayfield was always expected to make the final roster, albeit playing in the final year of his three-year, $100 million contract after negotiations over an extension stalled and the former No. 1 overall pick’s own self-imposed deadline passed.

There was never any certainty, however, that Daniels, would make the team, especially when he was fighting for a place alongside fellow quarterbacks Connor Bazelak and veteran Jake Browning, the latter of whom has made 10 career starts in the NFL.

But the undrafted free agent out of Kansas managed to not only make it onto the final 53-man roster, but also earned the QB2 role as both Bazelak and Browning were cut.

“I’m proud of Jalon. I think he took tremendous steps from the first time I met him in the off-season to now,” Mayfield said of Daniels on Sunday.

“He played his tail off, worked hard, worked on some of the things the coaches wanted to get done out of him, for him to progress with … I’m really excited for him.”

In six seasons at the Jayhawks, the 23-year-old played in 49 games where he averaged a 61.5 pass completion rate, throwing for 9,282 yards and 67 touchdowns to 31 interceptions.

He further scrambled for an additional 1,445 yards and 23 scores.

Mayfield on his goals for the foundation and upcoming season

During a charity event staged by the Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation on Sunday, the Bucs quarterback also acknowledged how roster cutdown day can mean many things for a lot of people.

“The days of cuts is never fun. You never like to see it, but that’s the nature of the business,” Mayfield said. “It’s a cut-throat business.

“Unfortunately, you have to get it down to 53 and hope they bring back some of your guys on the practice squad.”

Getty

Getty

Their fourth annual BE the Ball event took place at Topgolf in Tampa, with all proceeds supporting underprivileged kids across the Tampa area with access to high-level education via the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (ELCHC).

In its first three years, the foundation has raised over $340,000, but the Mayfield’s are hoping to double this figure in 2026 as they continue to pay things forward.

“To take a step back and realize we’ve been given a platform to be able to give back and make a difference in these communities — that’s the most important part,” he continued.

“… I’ve been blessed living out a dream and being able to play football so now — how well can I use that platform? How can we use that platform to make a difference and help others out?”

As for the new season that is just mere weeks away from kicking off, Mayfield is excited about how the roster has shaped up

“I’m just excited,” Mayfield added, when asked to share his outlook for the season. “I’m excited about the team that we have. Ready for the real thing, that’s for sure.

“Training camp and two weeks of joint practices felt like a long time away. Felt like training camp was forever. … Excited about the off-season and the pieces we’ve been putting together and what’s to come.

“Every day changes in the NFL. It’s a long, gruelling season, but it’s always a fun ride.”