Baker Mayfield feels like ‘heart just got ripped out’ after costly mistake ended Buccaneers season
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Baker Mayfield did not hold back explaining his emotions after the Buccaneers’ season ended in painful fashion.
The 28-year-old quarterback explained why the 31-23 defeat in Detroit will “weigh on me for while” in an emotional post-game press conference.
“It sucks,” he told reporters. “I feel like my heart just got ripped out.
“But, football is a complex game but it’s also simple. it comes down to taking care of the ball. In two-minute drives like that when you know you’re going to have four downs to use — just a bad mistake by me and its sucks because know what type of group we’ve had all year.
“We’ve fought to get to this point, we’ve fought to get to that game. We weren’t supposed to be here by any measures, but we believed in each other and we fought for it and so yeah, this one’s going to weigh on me for a while.”
The Buccaneers were eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday after a season that completely exceeded expectations — with Mayfield being hailed a hero in Tampa Bay after a 32-9 blowout win against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC wild-card game on Jan. 15.
Mayfield, who took over for the retiring Tom Brady, led the Buccaneers to their third consecutive NFC South title — and fourth straight playoff appearance — with in a 9-0 win over the Carolina Panthers on Jan. 7 after a slow start to the season.
Sunday’s game was tied at 17-17 before the Lions scored two touchdowns to open the fourth quarter.
Mayfield drove the Buccaneers for one touchdown to make it a one-score game and the defense was able to get the ball back to give the team a chance to tie.
Mayfield attempted to target tight end Cade Otton, but was intercepted by Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes to seal the win for Detroit.
Mayfield was 26 of 41 for 349 yards, the third-most in a Buccaneers playoff game.
The former first-overall pick — who signed with the Buccaneers on a one-year, $4 million contract after stints with the Rams and Panthers — said it would “mean a lot” to him if the franchise wanted him back.
“If I’m back, I want [wideout] Mike [Evans] back. That guy’s a stud,” Mayfield said.
A new deal for Mayfield has not been discussed this season, according to ESPN, which reported his representatives will meet with the Buccaneers in the offseason.
“I love this group,” Mayfield said, “I said that all year. And it’s authentic. I mean that. It would mean a lot for me, to bring back a lot of key pieces, to get this back together, to get it to Year 2 in the system, you can make huge strides. I would love that.
“Obviously, who knows how it’s going to play out, but I can’t say enough about this organization and the opportunity they gave me this year. Just thankful, and I hope it works out.”
Evans, who had 147 yards receiving and a touchdown on Sunday, led the team with 1,255 yards this season.
Evans, 30, is also a free agent this offseason.
Prior to the game, Mayfield shared a sweet moment with his wife, Emily, on the sidelines.
The couple is expecting their first child together, a girl, due in April 2024.
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