Baker Mayfield: 'I'm in the best shape I've been in a long time'

Baker Mayfield is in a great spot ahead of the 2024 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Heisman Trophy winner out of Oklahoma goes into the fall in great shape with a new contract.

But he’s also in great physical condition. Just go back a few years when Mayfield played with a significant injury in his non-throwing shoulder in Cleveland.

Being banged up was not good for the tail end of his tenure in Ohio, but he feels as fresh as he has in a long time.

“I definitely am in the best shape I’ve been in a long time,” Mayfield said, via Adam Silvon of pewterreport.com. “I just found my routine, found a gym and some trainers that I really like and it’s important. You learn that throughout the process [and as] the years go on. Honestly being able to stay in one place throughout the offseason helps, too. I found some great people to help me get to this point.”

Last season, Mayfield threw for a career high 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 64.3% completion percentage.

How will he get better? Stay in peak physical shape and perhaps lead the Bucs further along in the playoffs.

“It’s been good,” Mayfield said of his offseason conditioning. “I’ll tell you what: I spent about five days in Lake Tahoe for that golf tournament, which is an unbelievable event. Just going up to the elevation, the mountains with no humidity, and then coming back here, it’s tough to get used to. 

“But I feel good, I feel good with the conditioning and all that, now it’s just about making sure you hydrate in this heat and preparing yourself the right way.”

Mayfield rehabilitated his career in Tampa Bay after spending time with three teams (Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Rams) in a span of a year. The 2018 No. 1 overall pick out of Oklahoma signed a one-year deal worth $4 million guaranteed with the Buccaneers last offseason, a contract which went down as one of the best bargains around the league in 2023.

“I wanted a chance to come back,” Mayfield said this spring, confirming his new contract. “I love coach Bowles and the staff. I’m happy to be here and I want to win more in the postseason.”

A healthy Mayfield surely means success for Tampa Bay, which won the NFC South last season. On paper, it sure looks like the team is ripe for a repeat.