Baker Mayfield gets the last laugh during Buccaneers mandatory minicamp after ripping up Todd Bowles’ defense in practice
Day 1 of Buccaneers mandatory minicamp saw Baker Mayfield remind everyone why he’s considered to be one of the NFL’s better quarterbacks.
Well, it didn’t take Baker Mayfield long to make his mark on Tampa Bay Buccaneers mandatory minicamp.
Per reports, the Buccaneers were in the middle of goal line work when stalwart safety Antoine Winfield Jr. picked off Mayfield. The Buccaneers’ gunslinger then responded with three-straight touchdowns, dominating the remaining portion of the drill.
Per FOX Sports’ Greg Auman, tight end Payne Durham, and rookies Ted Hurst and Bauer Sharp were on the receiving end of each throw.
Sure, it’s the first day of Buccaneers mandatory minicamp, but that’s the exact response (and execution) you want to see from the guy playing the most important position in the sport.
Baker Mayfield says Buccaneers offense has really progressed under Zac Robinson
A reason why Mayfield was able to respond the way he did is because, according to him, Buccaneers players have made lengthy strides when it comes to learning Zac Robinson’s offense.
“I think we’ve come a long way,” Mayfield told reporters after practice. “There’s still a lot of work to be done. I think the vets have grasped it and really taken ownership of it and I think the young guys are kind of following suit with that. It’s been good to see. [It’s the] first day of minicamp, here, and we still have two more days to really iron it out.”
On paper, the Buccaneers still have one of the NFL’s best offenses, even without Mike Evans. The biggest hurdle for the group is learning Robinson’s offense. The ceiling is as high as any top-tier offense if Mayfield and Co. hit the ground running, which is another reason to feel encouraged after Day 1 of mandatory minicamp.
It would be different if Mayfield threw another interception or missed a receiver or anything after. Instead, guys held onto the ball and Mayfield made the correct –and accurate– throws.
It’s also worth noting the plays made by the rookies Hurst and Sharp. The Buccaneers offense will be in very good shape if those guys can make some impact plays in Year 1 with the team. No one is saying Hurst has to be a 1,000 yard receiver or anything like that to have a successful inaugural season. Just being a reliable playmaker is all he needs to do, along with Sharp.
Either way, while yes, it’s practice, this is the stuff you want to see. Now, it’s about going out there and doing it again over the course of the next two days.