Buccaneers Defense Gets Chance to Face ‘Next Baker Mayfield’
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have created the template for the current “Quarterback Revival Movement” in the NFL when they signed former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield to a 1-year, $3 million contract in 2023.
From the outside, even with that little of a financial risk, the Buccaneers seemed like they were punting on their season even before it began. The perception of Mayfield was he was a bust who was about to be on his fourth team in 3 seasons.
The reality was Mayfield was as far from a bust as could be. The team that initially drafted him and traded him — the Cleveland Browns — was the truly toxic member of that relationship.
Mayfield’s success in Tampa Bay — consecutive Pro Bowls and consecutive NFC South Division titles — came with a 3-year, $100 million contract before the 2024 season.
Now, the Buccaneers are ready to get an up close look at the player who might take the mantle from Mayfield and others as the NFL’s next big QB reclamation product.
Darnold, Others Have Found Way Back to Spotlight
In 2024, Minnesota Vikings quarterback and former No. 3 overall pick Sam Darnold resurrected his career and landed a 3-year, $100.5 million free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks before the 2025 season.
In 2025, Indianapolis Colts quarterback and former No. 6 overall pick Daniel Jones has become the NFL’s latest darling. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones, who will start against the Buccaneers in Week 6, might be the next in line.
Jones was the No. 15 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft by the New England Patriots and is on his third team in 3 years. He’s also 3-0 starting in place of Brock Purdy and the 49ers are 4-1.
“Jones is 3-0 and playing more like the guy New England expected when he was drafted in the first round in 2021,” The AP’s Rob Maadi wrote on October 12. “Jones has shown he could possibly be the next Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold — former first-round picks who bounced around the league before becoming franchise quarterbacks on other teams.”
What Jones Brings to Table for 49ers
It’s unfair to say Jones has been anything but spectacular in his 3 starts for the 49ers in place of Purdy, the final pick of the 2022 NFL draft who played his way into a 5-year, $265 million contract extension before this season.
In 3 starts, Jones has thrown for 905 yards, 6 touchowns and 1 interception, including a season high 342 passing yards and 2 touchdowns in a win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5.
Let’s not forget that Jones, who won a pair of College Football Playoff national championships at Alabama, actually made the Pro Bowl as a rookie with the Patriots in 2021, when he led the team to a 10-7 record.
Jones battled injuries and inefficiency over the next 2 seasons in New England before New England decided to draft current starter Drake Maye at No. 2 overall in 2024 and traded Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jones went 2-5 in 7 starts for the Jaguars in 2024 playing in place of an injured Trevor Lawrence and playing for a lame duck head coach in Doug Pedersen, who was fired after Jacksonville finished the season 4-13.
Ex - Texans Gardner-Johnson Says Ravens Was Only Option
The Baltimore Ravens have the worst defense in the NFL by most metrics. They also have one of the most injured defenses in the NFL. The
The Ravens are searching for answers, and they’re hoping one of them will be Super Bowl Champion safety CJ Gardner-Johnson. Johnson was most recently with the Houston Texans, who traded for him from the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason.
Only a few weeks into the season, however, Johnson was released and had to wait a few more weeks to eventually be signed by Baltimore. Johnson ending up with the Ravens might not have just been his first choice, but his only choice.
Johnson’s Houston Exit Wasn’t Ideal
CJ Gardner-Johnson had an unceremonious exit from the Texans. Johnson was called out for freelancing on several plays that ended up costing Houston games, and the always antagonistic Johnson reportedly was a nuisance in the locker room as well.
Aaron Wilson of Click2Houston wrote in his September 23 article about some of the issues that Johns was facing in Houston.
“Among the issues that arose with Gardner-Johnson, per sources: criticism of teammates in the secondary, including the size of one
Johnson did not endear himself to his teammates or coaches, as became evident in head coach Demeco Ryan’s comments after his departure.
“It’s my decision to move on. I know what’s best for my team,” Ryans said. “I’m not going to go into all the details of it. It was coming from me, the head coach.
Johnson’s reputation left him with dwindling options in the season.
Johnson Was Only Called by the Ravens
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson burned his bridge with the Texans. The antics of Johnson have become a part of the package in every organization
Sam Jane of The Baltimore Sun tweeted that Johnson told him why he joined the Ravens.
“Chauncey Gardner-Johnson told me he signed with the Ravens because it was his ‘only option,’” Jane said.
Johnson, however, is grateful for the opportunity and is already attempting to build chemistry with his new teammates.
“One note: Gardner-Johnson’s been very active in the locker room talking with teammates,” Jane said. “Seems to be making a good first impressions.”
Johnson will attempt to bring a new attitude to a Ravens defense that has been a disaster to start the year. Johnson has a precedent of being a key piece in a defensive
The Ravens may not be looking ahead that far, but they are hopeful Johnson can be a positive addition to a defense that has struggled mightily.
