Baker Mayfield on Mike Evans & Jalen McMillan Returning | Press Conference | Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield on Mike Evans & Jalen McMillan Returning | Press Conference | Tampa Bay Buccaneers

How we doing? Each week it’s kind of been, you know, guy come back here or there, but when you see 13 and of course Jaylen too, what he’s been through, just talk to to the possibility of maybe Mike sooner than Jaylen even what that would do to to everybody. Yeah. Um, obviously, you know, we talked about it uh to on a lot of extension, but I mean, Mike just attracts so much attention. Um, obviously his playmaking ability is is great to have. You know, obviously I can trust him, know where he’s going to be. Um, but he just attracts so much attention. It really affects how a defense is going to play you, how a coordinator is going to call it. So, um, yeah, obviously we’ll see how they progress continually. Um but yeah, getting him and J-Mack and you know, for JMC, it’s obviously been a long time coming going back to training camp and in a preseason game. So, um he’s worked his tail off to get to this point. So, hopefully he he keeps heading in the right direction, but it’ll uh it’ll keep getting better for us, you know, but like I said last week, uh we have what we need to win right now. Those pieces will be bonuses for us, but we need to execute with what we have right now. Have you felt that though, like in the red zone in particular, to not have Chris, to not have Mike throughout throughout the year points? Yeah. uh especially Mike, you know, there’s whether it’s the run plays where they load the box up and you have a one-on-one with him, you know, time and time again we’ve we’ve thrown it to him. So things like that and then and Chris just understanding zones down there knowing how to beat leverage. So yeah, you feel it. Could you tell last week uh Baker early that Chris had his had his jump back? Yeah. Um I I think even the practice leading up to it, he looked better than he did uh earlier in the season. Um he just looked more confident. I’ll say that. and just looked more explosive. So for him, uh, yeah, just translated it and it was good to see him back out there. That early catch down the right sideline, which I think it was a third down catch and he broke a couple of tackles and ended up going 25 yards. Yeah, look, still looked explosive. Uh, contact balance, something that Chris is never easy guy to bring down. He’s got great balance. He’s strong. Um, and then yeah, just a good play overall on that one that that he made and T’s got a block to truly make it explosive. you play New Orleans and in these division games, you know, they they don’t on paper have much to play for, but it’s the NFL, right? Everybody’s out there. This is their careers. But in the first game, what did you notice about their defense? They still have a lot of, you know, guys that played a lot of football and it didn’t come easy for you guys as I recall right at the beginning at least. No. And against them, it really never does. Um, they we don’t like them, they don’t like us. They play hard. uh you can see it on the tape based on the the other games that they’ve played uh since we’ve played them last and it’s it shows. So, uh we know what to expect. Record doesn’t indicate how physical this matchup’s going to be. What what a tough matchup it is. So, um they know us, we know them well, so it’s one of those who can execute better and be the more physical team. This will be the first divisional opponent you guys play for a second time this year. Looking at Brandon Staley’s defense on the film, is there any way maybe that they’ve evolved since they last played you guys or are you kind of expecting a similar thing? Um some minor changes here and there, but uh they still do what they do and do it well. So it’s uh I’d say the pass rush is getting home a little bit more. They’re trusting Demario in coverage, letting some of the other backers blitz. I mean, he’s still he’s still a matchup nightmare when he he lines up in the line of scrimmage. So got to be aware with where he’s at. Um but yeah, I think Granderson and Chase Young are also playing really well on the edges. Bigger, how how are you feeling physically in the shoulder? And will you be able to get more work this week? Um I know maybe some of the throws weren’t what you wanted. How how has that affected your your accuracy recently and do you feel it getting better? Um, yeah. I mean, it’s getting better. I didn’t take any direct hits. Um, like I mentioned to you guys, which is great. Um, still one of those things. It’s going to take time. So, hopefully I can put two of those in a row together. Um, and for the practice reps, we’ll see how it progresses. Um, you know, take as many reps as I can possibly get, but if not, then just do the mental preparation like I did last week. soccer has been hit with injuries and adversity week after week after week. Uh, at this point in the season, what do you think best describes the offense’s identity and what are you kind of most proud of throughout, you know, the ups and downs of the season so far? Uh, it’s I mean, it’s been a resilient group um, no matter who’s in there. We’ve asked a lot of everybody uh to to step up and do their job at a high level. Um, you know, I think it a ton of people need to get credit for that. I mean, Grizz having to adjust the play calls for for people who are in there. uh the position coaches for getting everybody that’s stepping up and getting in there ready to play. Um yeah, it’s just it’s it’s a resilient group and that goes for the whole the players, the staff, um training room, everybody that’s involved in that. So it’s u it takes everybody. I know you’re fond of Dave Canales Baker, but uh is he pissing you off with the job he’s doing in in Charlotte right now? No, we got the Saints this week. Dave can do what he wants, but you’re playing him twice. Yeah, not yet. Play the Saints this week. Anything else? You were just real quickly. You were, I guess, the nominee, Bucks nominee for walking man of the year. I know you do so much off the fields and have before, but to have you recognized by your teammates, what is that that whole outside part of your career mean? Yeah. Um, I mean, it’s it’s truly an honor. There’s going to be more that comes out on that here pretty soon. But um yeah, it’s anytime you can get recognized for that, it just uh it’s a unbelievable honor, you know, based on your peers and everybody that that sees that. But it’s uh we have an unbelievable platform. Uh something that we hold dearly to our hearts is giving back and using that platform for good. And so it’s this is our home now and being able to give back to Hillsboro County and in the greater area. So it’s u it’s awesome. Thanks, guys.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback Baker Mayfield spoke to the media after Wednesday’s Week 14 walkthrough. QB Mayfield discussed his trust in WR Mike Evans, WR Chris Godwin Jr.’s explosiveness and preparing for a physical divisional matchup vs. New Orleans.

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