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Although Tom Brady has hung up his cleats, his competitive spirit is still as fierce as ever. This was evident during Week 4 when he provided color commentary for the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Philadelphia Eagles. As he watched his former team take on the Eagles, Brady didn’t shy away from discussing his successor, Baker Mayfield, and the pressure that Bucs players felt during Brady’s tenure in Tampa.
What Did Brady Say About Mayfield?
Brady took issue with Mayfield’s remarks regarding the stress level in the locker room during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Mayfield had described the environment as “stressful,” and Brady had a passionate response:
“I thought stressful was not having Super Bowl rings,” he said emphatically. “This wasn’t daycare. … If I was going to have fun, I was going to Disneyland with my kids. There’s a way to approach this game, and it’s with the right mindset to push teammates.”
When play-by-play analyst Kevin Burkhardt noted the competitive nature of Brady’s response, the future Hall of Famer declared, “It’s still in there. There’s no apologies!” Brady spent two seasons with the Buccaneers, leading them to a Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 55.
Baker Mayfield’s Comments
Baker Mayfield recently shared his perspective on Brady’s influence during his time in Tampa Bay while appearing on the Casa De Klub podcast. He explained that having Brady in the locker room changed the dynamics significantly:
“The building was a little bit different with Tom in there. Obviously, playing-wise, Tom is different. He had everybody dialed in, high-strung environment, so I think everybody was pretty stressed out,” Mayfield admitted.
Mayfield, who joined the Bucs after Brady’s retirement, emphasized that he aimed to bring back the joy of football for his teammates. “They wanted me to come in, be myself, bring the joy back to football for guys who weren’t having as much fun,” he explained.
Mayfield’s Performance with the Buccaneers
In his first season with Tampa Bay, Mayfield led the team to a 9-8 record and an NFC South title. The Bucs advanced past the Eagles in the NFC Wild Card round but were ultimately defeated by the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round.
As Mayfield enters his second season in Tampa, he appears to be finding his rhythm, showing increased comfort with key receivers like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. His positive start has fans excited about what’s to come this season.
Brady’s fiery commentary serves as a reminder that while he may no longer be playing, his competitive edge and insights into the game remain sharp and relevant.