The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a clearer view of Baker Mayfield’s status against the New Orleans Saints after a disappointing loss to the Detroit Lions, in which the quarterback expressed his frustration with the refs.
In the Buccaneers‘ loss to the Lions, Mayfield was defended well by Detroit, often missing his targets and throwing the ball 50 times. After the game, the star quarterback was spotted with a noticeable limp, though it was not entirely clear what was bothering Mayfield.
With the Buccaneers set to take on the New Orleans Saints, more information has been revealed regarding Mayfield’s status for the clash. The update comes as Philadelphia Eagles legend Jason Kelce made his thoughts known on Mayfield and the resurgent season he’s had.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Mayfield said he was “walking a lot better” than he was Monday night. The update comes after the 30-year-old remained coy on how he felt and what was ailing him shortly after the loss when he spoke to reporters with a limp.
“A little banged up, but I’ll be good to go by Sunday,” Mayfield said at the time. The signal caller gave more information than what Todd Bowles told reporters in the days after the loss to Detroit.
“I saw him limping at the end of the last series. He has not been in yet this morning to see what exactly is wrong with him. So we’ll see,” Bowles said after the game.
With Mayfield seemingly ready for the upcoming matchup against the Saints, reporters asked the star what makes each matchup against New Orleans so intense. Simply put, the quarterback noted that he believes that the Saints have not played up to the standard he expects of most other teams in the league.
“It hasn’t exactly been clean play from their part when we play them. It’s a physical game,” he revealed to the media during his availability Wednesday. “It is what it is. You expect it. Division rival. Yeah. Not much else to say besides the fact that I don’t like them.”
As Mayfield and the Buccaneers prepare for the Saints, Kelce, the former Super Bowl champion, reaffirmed his admiration for the star. During ‘Monday Night Countdown,’ Mayfield approached Kelce, with the latter responding animatedly upon seeing the Buccaneers signal caller.
When Mayfield re-signed with Tampa Bay, Kelce lauded the job the quarterback had done in Florida. “Listen, I’ve always had tremendous respect for Baker,” Kelce said at the time. “He’s a fighter. He’s a guy that wears his heart on his sleeve. He’s a guy that motivates people. You can tell that just by any team he’s been on.
“Guys rally around him and enjoy playing with him. I think he’s showing the world what he can do. Unfortunately, we had to be on the tail end of it at the end of the year, but I definitely loved watching Baker play this year.”