CLEVELAND, Ohio — In the cutthroat world of professional football, pain isn’t just part of the game: it’s a baseline condition for players at midseason.
That harsh reality took center stage during Baker Mayfield’s recent media session, where the Tampa Bay quarterback delivered a brutally honest assessment on the physical toll of an NFL season.
When asked about his health and how it affected his performance, Mayfield didn’t sugarcoat the situation.
“I mean, we’re in the middle of the season in the NFL. Nobody feels good. That’s no excuse. As a professional, you do everything you can to try to get close to 100 percent and go from there.” Mayfield said.
This frank confession offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the toughness of the NFL.
While fans see the highlights of Sunday, they rarely witness the struggles of Monday morning, when players can barely get out of bed, or the grueling rehabilitation sessions that fill the week between games.
Mayfield’s running ability, which drew comparisons to mobile quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen early in the season, has noticeably disappeared in recent weeks.
When asked about his lack of rushing yards over the last three games, Mayfield acknowledged the limitations imposed by his body.
“I think first of all it’s schematic… for me, I don’t feel like I’m able to reach my maximum speed, I’m struggling to throw, which I try to do every time.”
The disappearance of this dimension of his game isn’t just a statistical note, it’s a significant tactical limitation for a Tampa Bay offense that benefited greatly from his mobility earlier in the season.
The ability to escape pressure, extend plays and gain crucial first downs with his legs gave defensive coordinators headaches in September. Now, those same coordinators appear to have adjusted their game plans, knowing Mayfield’s reduced mobility.
Perhaps most telling is Mayfield’s reflection on the difficult calculation every injured player must make: Figuring out when playing through pain crosses the line between admirable endurance and damaging stubbornness.
Drawing on hard-earned wisdom from his years in Cleveland, Mayfield shared: “I can actually look back on 2021 for me, not physically being able to perform as well as I really wanted to. And a lot of times that’s the case, but did I probably embarrass myself and the team. So you evaluate that.”
This remarkable self-awareness demonstrates Mayfield’s growth as a leader. The quarterback who might once have considered sitting out a surrender now understands that sometimes the bravest decision is knowing when to step down for the benefit of the team.
As Tampa Bay prepares for the challenges ahead, Mayfield’s health will remain a crucial consideration. His ability to cope with the brutal physical demands of the position while still performing at a high level could ultimately determine the fate of the Buccaneers this season.
Free trial of the Football Insider newsletter: Take a minute and sign up for a free trial of our Football Insider newsletter, featuring exclusive content from cleveland.com’s Browns reporters.
If you purchase a product or create an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions and personal information may be collected, recorded and/or stored by us and social media and other third party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
