This December looked a lot different for Baker Mayfield than last December.
Mayfield was released by the Panthers in early December 2022 and his prospects were uncertain after spending the final weeks of the regular season with a Rams team that was going nowhere. Mayfield signed with the Buccaneers after Tom Brady retired, and it looked like things would be similar as the Bucs entered the final month of 2023 with a record of 4-7, but the The last four weeks have changed everything in Tampa.
Mayfield has scored nine touchdowns during a four-game winning streak, including two in Sunday's 30-12 win over the Jaguars that put the team on the cusp of a division title. With a win in the final two weeks, they will be NFC South champions, and head coach Todd Bowles praised the quarterback for putting them in that position.
“He was outstanding,” Bowles said in his postgame press conference. “He was outstanding in December. This is what you want from your quarterback in December. At the moment everyone knows each other's pieces. But when you try to attack and your quarterback plays great, that gives you a chance.”
Mayfield's play has opened the door for a longer stay in Tampa, but talks on that front likely won't happen until the Bucs are done playing. The last month has given rise to suspicion that their run may not end until January.