The quarterback did his best to keep the Bucs in the game while the defense faltered in the second half. Mayfield completed 26 of 41 throws for 349 yards and three touchdown passes. However, two interceptions and four sacks proved to be huge for the NFC South champions.
As he has all season, Mayfield pushed through adversity, hitting important throws, bouncing off pass rushers, and giving the Bucs a chance to pull off an unlikely comeback. The major errors, however, will sting.
It is not hyperbole to say that the Bucs would not have made it to Sunday’s game without Mayfield’s performance this season. In the summer, Tampa gave the former No. 1 overall pick a prove-it deal as the team cut costs during the Tom Brady era. Mayfield earned every penny, and more.
“I adore this bunch. “I’ve said that all year, and it’s true,” Mayfield stated. “I mean it. It would mean a lot to me to bring back many critical pieces to put this back together and into the system for Year 2. You can make enormous strides. Of course, I’d adore that. Who knows how it will turn out, but I can’t say enough about this organization for the opportunity they gave me this year. Just thankful and hoping everything works out.”
One major prospective free agent Mayfield hopes to join him in a return to Tampa is Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans, who had eight catches for 147 yards and a touchdown on Sunday.
“He is a stud. “The guy hasn’t regressed at all,” Mayfield said of his 30-year-old wide receiver. “As much as people like to speak about his age, I believe he had one of his best years. He makes my life easier. He did it all year, and he did it today several times. He is one of those players who, in order to bring everyone back, sacrifices must be made, and this squad is all about winning. We have a group filled.
