When it comes down to “America’s Quarterback”, the clear-cut conclusion is Tom Brady. The legendary quarterback turned broadcaster remains heavily involved in the NFL despite retiring from play a couple of years ago. Now, Erin Andrews has made a case for Brady’s successor on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, QB Baker Mayfield.
Erin Andrews Sees No Issue Calling Baker Mayfield “America’s Quarterback” Over Tom Brady
At the end of the day, Andrews knows she’s able to make this statement because she’s worked with Brady and has known him for quite some time. Nothing she said was a diss at the seven-time Super Bowl champion, though he would likely take offense to it. Brady, who has had his comments directed at Mayfield in the past, can’t help but realize how great a player he has been for the Buccaneers organization.
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“I’m sure I’ll get killed for this, but I was saying to my crew, Baker is American’s quarterback,” Andrews said. When her co-host, Charissa Thompson, asked “why?”, she responded, “Because he is. I feel like he’s such an easy guy to cheer for. With all due respect, Tom is 6’4”, looks like Captain America out there, you know, almost like a Prince from a Disney film. And I can say that because he’s a friend.”
Andrews continued, “Bake is like, he’s got the headband on, you know, he’s not 6’5”. He’s smacking guys around, like, you know, let’s go, let’s go, he’s like getting fired up. He’s the guy you want to go have a beer with. And I want to do that with TB, because I get to do that with TB, but you know what I mean? I just feel like America roots for this guy.”
Their discussion on the “Calm Down Podcast” sparked a debate, as everyone’s definition of “America’s quarterback” is likely to differ. For Andrews’ case, she’s looking at who is easy to root for and who she would want to hang out with. Ultimately, she chose Mayfield, who’s been through a lot in his NFL career. From the Cleveland Browns to the Carolina Panthers to the Los Angeles Rams, Mayfield has found a home in Tampa.
While the Bucs fell to the Philadelphia Eagles last week, they carry a 3-1 record into Seattle. With the Seahawks looming in Week 5, Mayfield is looking to increase his C grade in PFSN’s QB Impact metric. In Brady’s final year with Tampa in 2022, he also finished with a C grade.
