Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield recently opened up about the atmosphere within the team during Tom Brady’s tenure, sharing insights on the culture shift that followed Brady’s departure. During an appearance on Corey Kluber’s “Casa De Klub” podcast, Mayfield reflected on how Brady’s presence shaped the environment and what changed when Mayfield stepped into the role.
Mayfield revealed that Brady had cultivated a “high-strung environment” in his final year with the team, one that demanded a high level of focus and intensity. This approach, Mayfield suggested, left some players feeling stressed. “The building was a little bit different with Tom in there,” Mayfield said, around 3:35 into the podcast. “Tom had everybody dialed in. It was a high-stress environment, so I think a lot of the guys were pretty stressed out. For me, they wanted me to come in, be myself, bring the joy back to football for some guys that weren’t having as much fun, and keep the competition level up.”
Mayfield acknowledged that he and Brady are polar opposites in terms of personality, which contributed to the contrasting environments during their respective times as quarterbacks. He hinted that Brady’s intense leadership style may have contributed to some tension within the organization, particularly when discussing some of the “mind games” Brady played during his time with the Buccaneers.
One of the more intriguing anecdotes Mayfield shared involved Brady’s reaction to certain play calls. He mentioned hearing stories of Brady deliberately throwing the ball away or targeting a running back or receiver’s feet if he didn’t like a play call. “There’s a lot of mind games going on,” Mayfield said, around the 47:20 mark of the podcast. This playful, yet cerebral approach was part of Brady’s method to get the best out of his team, but it may have added to the overall tension within the locker room.
RELATED: Super Bowl Champion Urges Tom Brady To ‘Loosen Up’ As a Broadcaster
Although Mayfield’s comments could be seen as critical of Brady’s leadership, he was quick to point out that Brady’s methods brought undeniable success to the franchise, including a Super Bowl victory. The pressure-filled environment worked for Brady and his teams, but it was clear the organization was ready for a change in approach once Mayfield took over.
The Buccaneers have benefitted from Mayfield’s more laid-back leadership style, with the quarterback reviving his career and helping the team exceed expectations.
After guiding Tampa Bay to an unexpected playoff appearance last season, Mayfield has the team off to a strong 2-0 start in 2024, underscoring the success of the culture shift he’s brought to the organization.
While Mayfield’s style may differ drastically from Brady’s, it seems to be working just as effectively for the Buccaneers in this new era.
