Baker Mayfield Talks “Natural Feel” Of Emeka Egbuka
June 5th, 2025
“Hope you enjoy losing, Liam. We’re freakin’ loaded.”
The blessing of Emeka Egbuka has come from face of the franchise.
Yes, with respect to Mike Evans and Lavonte David, Baker Mayfield is the face of the Tampa Bay franchise, at least nationally.
And Mayfield, as Joe discusseed on the Ira Kaufman Podcast, was in the face of Prickly Pete Prisco of CBS on Tuesday at One Buc Palace. No, Mayfield wasn’t mad at Prisco, it’s just that Prisco is the kind of guy who gets in your grill when he talks to you.
The results came today in the form of Prisco writing a Mayfield feature for CBSSports.com.
One intriguing nugget was Mayfield weighing in on the Bucs’ vaunted first-round draft pick, Egbuka.
“He [Egbuka] has a natural feel to his route running,” Mayfield said. “He has a good feel of getting to the right spots in zone. He’s extremely smart. His head was never spinning. He was getting other guys lined up. He’s polished.”
But Mayfield was quick to point out the Bucs offense this year will be a lot like it was last year.
“It still runs through the run game and Mike [Evans],” he said. “That’s how it goes.”
This warms Joe’s Bucs-loving heart. Mayfield wouldn’t throw that level of respect on the rookie unless he’s earned it. Damn impressive for early June.
June 5th, 2025 at 9:34 am
Thank GOD we have a Franchise QB. This team has very few holes besides the Putrid 29th ranked Pass Defense that should be much improved this year with a better Pass Rush and a Secondary with some depth now. Go BUCS!!
June 5th, 2025 at 9:38 am
Egbuka will have a really productive year whether he starts or not because he understands how to play the game like a seasoned veteran. This is a rare quality for a rookie and a great pick by Licth and Tood Bowles.
June 5th, 2025 at 9:53 am
I didn’t even have this guy on my radar in April. I’m warming to him lately.
June 5th, 2025 at 10:05 am
I’ve stated I think he was the best receiver in the draft and he hasn’t done anything to change that thought. Fred I don’t think he was on anyone’s radar outside the Bucs, we heard a few “don’t be surprised” comments, some on here by Joe and others. The Bucs staying true to the BPA on the board mantra has drawn rave reviews and this draft in the coming years may prove to be one of the best ever. Don’t know I just have that feeling, hope it does. The first 5 picks look like solid picks in their order and may all be steals by the time all is said and done.
June 5th, 2025 at 10:06 am
Love the Hope you enjoy losing ,Liam . Him and Canales benefited from our Offensive Talent . Neither the Panthers or Jags will win more than 7 games this season.
June 5th, 2025 at 10:17 am
Great article by Prisco. But that camaraderie and team chemistry is nothing new from what we hear from the Joe’s all the time. I’m just glad we have it and I would not be the least bit sad if Baker turned that corner, won us a super bowl and entered elite QB status in the national mindset. That would be okay by me. LOL
… oh, and I’m an Emeka Egbuka fan all the way! Won’t be buying his jersey, though his last name would be kind of cool to have on a jersey. He has to show it for 4 years and sign a second contract first. I still don’t have a David jersey.
June 5th, 2025 at 10:24 am
Why do I feel like he’s gonna rupture an Achilles next week? Damn these feelings.
June 5th, 2025 at 10:57 am
I was going to post that I haven’t bought any jersey since Warrick Dunn in 1997, but then I remembered I bought a Brady one on the way up to Tampa for the Rams playoff game in 2021.
I don’t make a habit of buying jerseys with another man’s name on it, but I guess for a seven-time Super Bowl winner and sure-fire first ballot Hall of Famer I’ll make an exception.
June 5th, 2025 at 11:19 am
Wow Aqualung.
Why would you put that out in the universe.
June 5th, 2025 at 11:22 am
love hearing him take care of mike like that. understands how critical Mike is, and knows his where his bread is buttered
June 5th, 2025 at 11:23 am
“”Why do I feel like he’s gonna rupture an Achilles next week? Damn these feelings.””
After the Russell Gage/ Ryan Jenson incidents I’m completely paranoid every
OTA/training camp practice that someone’s going down with a season ending injury.
June 5th, 2025 at 12:05 pm
Three years from now we will all be thinking Licht is a genius.
All he did was stay true to his board. God bless him for sticking to the plan.
Go Bucs!
June 5th, 2025 at 12:27 pm
I wish they had natural grass in these stadiums and practice fields
June 5th, 2025 at 1:24 pm
What happened to Brady is AB and Gronk left and it proved they were the main reason why we won the Superbowl that year.
June 5th, 2025 at 1:25 pm
He looked just like he did 2019 .
June 5th, 2025 at 8:12 pm
Aqua lung is a troll from anther team
Pay him no mind.
June 5th, 2025 at 8:31 pm
I have huge confidence in a championship run this year. As was posted earlier Mayfield is a true franchise QB with weapons.
June 5th, 2025 at 10:12 pm
Hey Joe’s-Ira? Who ever writes your under photo comments, does bring me and millions of readers a few smiles, and some solid laughs… Thanks for doing this. Its funny.
June 5th, 2025 at 10:48 pm
Great Point there RustyRhinos. This one is a funny one for sure.
June 6th, 2025 at 3:46 am
“This warms Joe’s Bucs-loving heart. Mayfield wouldn’t throw that level of respect on the rookie unless he’s earned it. Damn impressive for early June.”
Right there with you on this one Joe! Lining up others? In June? Rookie?
Wow!
Go Bucs!