After starring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for three seasons and leading the team to victory in Super Bowl LV, the legendary quarterback has made the transition to a broadcasting career. Two days ago, Brady made his broadcasting debut with FOX, calling the Week 1 contest between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns.
In addition to his gameday duties, Brady picked his three “Stars of the Week” on Fox Sports’ social media platforms. One of Brady’s three stars is the quarterback who replaced him on the Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield.
Tom Brady Raves About Baker Mayfield’s Week 1 Performance
Brady highlighted three stars from Week 1: Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason, and Mayfield.
Mayfield was outstanding in the Buccaneers’ 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders, throwing for 289 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions with an 80% completion percentage while also rushing for 21 yards. Mayfield would’ve had a fifth touchdown, but rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan dropped a wide-open pass where he would’ve scored.
Mayfield had big shoes to fill when he took over as the Bucs’ starting quarterback last season, replacing Brady after he retired. Now, Brady is raving about how Mayfield is performing alongside many of his former teammates.
Introducing @TomBrady's Top 3 Stars of the Week! 🏈
⭐️ @DallasCowboys LB @MicahhParsons11
⭐️ @49ers RB @jpmason27
⭐️ @Buccaneers QB @bakermayfield pic.twitter.com/0aRt15xhIL— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 11, 2024
“Down in Tampa Bay, Baker Mayfield threw four touchdowns, two to my boy Mike Evans, one to Chris Godwin — what a performance,” Brady said.
“Baker, I wish I took you in fantasy. A great start — finding Mike, finding Chris — having that type of performance at home. That’s exactly what the team needs. Great job.”
Throughout his three years in Tampa, Brady totaled 14,643 yards, 114 touchdowns, and 33 interceptions. The Bucs were very successful with Brady, and now they continue to thrive under Mayfield.
Tampa Bay exceeded all expectations in their first season of the post-Brady era. While most analysts expected them to bottom out and land a top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bucs won the NFC South for a third-straight season and even managed to win a playoff game, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round and challenging the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round.
Mayfield’s terrific play was a big reason for the Buccaneers’ success. He had a career year, throwing for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Now, he’s picking up right where he left off, getting off to a strong start in Week 1, just as Brady acknowledged.
The Bucs will face the Lions in Week 2 in a rematch of their Divisional Round showdown.