Baker Mayfield took his talents off the field and into a hilarious new role, going undercover as a Buccaneers superfan in the pilot episode of Amazon Prime’s The Undercovers, a series created by NFL icons Peyton and Eli Manning. The premise of the show revolves around NFL stars disguising themselves to mingle with their fanbases, offering lighthearted interactions before revealing their true identities.
In the debut episode, the Buccaneers’ quarterback fully embraced his transformation. Donning a prosthetic nose, a long wig, a bandana, and a fake mustache, Mayfield introduced himself as “Gus Swayze,” a diehard Bucs fan. “I am no longer Baker Mayfield; I will now be Gus Swayze,” he said in the trailer, officially assuming his new persona.
The episode kicked off with a humorous sequence of Mayfield calling his wife, Emily Wilkinson, after his makeover. “Hey there, pretty mama,” he teased, to which she responded with mock disgust, “Ew!”
Once his transformation was complete, Mayfield headed to the Buccaneers’ practice facility, where his teammates couldn’t help but laugh at his over-the-top disguise. But the real fun began when “Gus Swayze” met with actual Buccaneers fans. In one interaction, Mayfield’s alter ego jokingly critiqued himself, saying, “I wish he’d just focus on football.” When a fan asked about his play-calling ability, “Swayze” sarcastically added, “I hope he can handle calling his plays this year.”
The undercover stint gave fans a chance to see a more playful side of the quarterback, who is typically under pressure to perform on the field. As for Mayfield, it allowed him to get some lighthearted digs at himself and have a laugh with the Buccaneers’ faithful.
Entering his second season with Tampa Bay, Mayfield has already made an impression on the field. After stints with the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Rams, Mayfield has settled in with the Bucs, leading them to a solid start in the 2024 season.
Tampa Bay is sitting at 3-1, with Mayfield spearheading victories against teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, and Washington Commanders. His only setback came in a Week 2 loss to Denver.
Mayfield’s stats reflect his efficiency so far: he’s completed 91 of his 129 pass attempts for 984 yards, throwing eight touchdowns with only two interceptions. His strong play is a big reason why Tampa Bay is in playoff contention early in the season.
The Undercovers is not the first time an NFL star has gone incognito for entertainment. Eli Manning previously went undercover as “Chad Powers” during Penn State’s walk-on tryouts in an episode of Eli’s Places, a series produced by Omaha Productions. The segment, which featured Manning humorously attempting to make the team, was a hit with fans and paved the way for the idea behind The Undercovers.
Mayfield’s foray into undercover antics has already proven to be a hit, giving fans a chance to connect with him in a fun, unexpected way. As the season progresses, both on the field and in this new series, Mayfield continues to entertain — whether he’s playing quarterback or playing a character.
With more episodes of The Undercovers on the way, fans are eager to see which NFL stars will next take up the challenge of going undercover.
As for Mayfield, both his playful persona and his leadership on the field are helping him make a mark in Tampa Bay, both as a football player and as a fan favorite.
