Baker Mayfield is the ultimate competitor.
QB coach Thaddeus Lewis for the Bucs recently spoke with the team website to discuss Mayfield.
“He’s always out to prove himself, but he’s his own worst enemy,” Lewis said. “We’ve just to get him out of harm’s way. I like his competitive nature, but I don’t like it to the extent where he keeps getting hit and he won’t be available. He’s getting older, he turned 30, so I joke with him now, ‘Welcome to the 30 Club. You’re older now, so that’s hits you took in your 20s might affect you a little differently in your 30s. Just to get him to start being smart, take less hits, throw it away, maybe get down. Be competitive in situations called ‘gotta have it’ situations – first down, touchdown, end of the game, things like that. But I love him to death. I wouldn’t trade him for nothing or his competitive nature.”
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Mayfield has legitimately developed into a star quarterback after a bumpy road led away from Cleveland but eventually got him to Tampa Bay.
To stick around as long as possible, Mayfield has to take it a bit easier on the hits he absorbs. It’s solid advice.
It just might not work, because if Mayfield sees a chance to be physical and get a first down or win a football game, he’ll do it anyways.
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