# @fb_universe on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DckWwsbgTSj
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/69780384-fb-universe-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/d4075fb3de.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-08-28T03:05:17.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Football Universe (@fb_universe) — https://gondola.cc/fb_universe

## Caption

Baker Mayfield’s career could’ve gone in a completely different direction

Cleveland moved on. Carolina gave him a shot and moved on. His stop with the Rams looked like it might be another temporary chapter. At one point, plenty of people had already decided what Baker was: a former No. 1 pick who never quite became the franchise quarterback everyone expected.

Then Tampa Bay happened. Instead of letting all those stops define him, Baker rebuilt his career. In 2024, he threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns, completed over 71% of his passes, made the Pro Bowl and helped Tampa Bay win the NFC South.

That’s not just a nice comeback story. That’s legitimate high-level quarterback play.

The attitude never disappeared either. The confidence, the celebrations, the willingness to take chances and play with an edge are still there. The difference is that now we’re seeing a more experienced version of Baker who looks completely comfortable running his own team.

Maybe Cleveland moving on was necessary. Maybe bouncing around the league humbled him. Whatever the reason, Baker went from fighting to prove he belonged as a starter to putting himself right back into the conversation among the NFL’s better quarterbacks.

People wrote him off way too early.

Where does Baker Mayfield rank among NFL quarterbacks right now? Is he legitimately top 10? 👀

#BakerMayfield #Buccaneers #NFL #NFLFootball #GoBucs

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## Tags

bakermayfield, buccaneers, gobucs, nfl, nflfootball

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