The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to take the field for training camp this week, and it will be their first season without Tom Brady since 2020.
Brady is an all-time great in the NFL, and the absence of his presence is sure to be felt, but former New Orleans Saints scout Jim Monos believes the team will be better off without Brady.
“He was an easy guy to prepare for,” Monos said on the Go Long podcast. “I just think they’ll be able to do more with Mayfield because, to be honest, he’s just younger and tougher right now. Brady was good; Brady was checked out.”
Monos seems to be referring to Brady’s third season with Tampa Bay, which wasn’t as successful as his first two years with the franchise.
Brady had a lot going on between the lines and also off the field last year that could’ve led to distractions. Baker Mayfield, a former No. 1 overall pick, has turned into quite the journeyman thus far in his career.
From getting replaced by the Cleveland Browns to a bad situation with the Carolina Panthers, Mayfield seemingly sparked his career again with a short stint with the Los Angeles Rams last season. While Mayfield is the significantly less talented quarterback between him and Brady, there might be some truth to Monos’ statement.
Brady was drug into the spotlight with his personal life problems, and it’s hard to imagine his focus was only on football.
For Mayfield, he’s playing to extend his career and turn his image around. He’s 28 years old and in need of a fresh start.
If he overperforms with the Buccaneers, Mayfield can show that he’s still capable of having success at the NFL level. There’s a chance Mayfield will be able to show more focus and determination with the team, but unless a Super Bowl trophy comes to Tampa, nothing will be able to trump Brady’s contribution to the franchise in his three seasons.
