There once was a moment, during their college years, when Baker Mayfield annoyed Nick Bosa.
Bosa used his rookie season in 2019 as an opportunity to repay the favor. But all of that is behind him now, Bosa said, adding that his fictitious flag he planted during San Francisco’s decisive victory over Mayfield’s Browns in 2019 was only a joke.
Bosa told reporters on Wednesday, via The Athletic, “It was fun,” in advance of the 49ers’ matchup against Mayfield’s Buccaneers on Sunday. “My celebrations as a rookie were pretty good.”
Mayfield’s Oklahoma Sooners made a big early-season statement about their credibility in 2017 when they defeated the Buckeyes, 31-16, in Columbus, Ohio. Known for his unwavering willingness to provoke opponents, Mayfield carried Oklahoma’s huge flag to Ohio Stadium’s midfield, gracefully waved it, and positioned it in the middle of Ohio State’s block O emblem.
The decision infuriated Ohio State supporters, and Bosa showed he remembered when he benched Mayfield shortly before halftime of their Week 5 matchup in 2019. Mayfield and his Sooners had every right to celebrate their win. The 49ers were thoroughly outclassing the highly anticipated (and ultimately very underwhelming) Browns on Monday Night Football, and the sack capped an impressive first half for San Francisco.
Bosa took advantage of the ideal opportunity to exact his retribution, and he did it in style.
The two have put the past behind them years later. Both players have learned from their experiences: Bosa has twice sustained a season-ending injury and come back to win Defensive Player of the Year, while Mayfield is currently on his fourth NFL franchise.
During the most recent offseason, Bosa finally got to meet Mayfield, and he was a kind guy, he stated on Wednesday.
“He’s nice,” Bosa said of Mayfield. … “I’ve never had anything against him. Just a joke as a rookie.”
Having watched his once-promising time in Cleveland turn into a trade request and departure to Carolina, where he failed enough to be benched and then dismissed during the 2022 season, Mayfield has been humbled by the cruel machinery that is professional football in recent years. After arriving in Los Angeles, he played quarterback for the hopeless Rams before signing a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023.
Since then, Mayfield has bounced back, leading a pass-heavy Buccaneers offense that, in Week 10, defeated Tennessee 20-6 to end a month-long losing streak. He is 12th in throwing touchdowns (14), 16th in passing yards (2,143), and has carried the Buccaneers to victory although they have been without a consistent rushing offense. Although his numbers don’t indicate he should win Comeback Player of the Year, 2023 is showing to be a good comeback season for the former No. 1 overall choice, especially in light of his performances in Carolina and Los Angeles a year ago.
Because of his relationship with receiver Mike Evans, he is Tampa Bay’s best offensive threat. Since guiding the Browns to their first postseason triumph in almost 30 years during the 2020 campaign, he’s been playing some of his best football. Bosa is aware that the 49ers cannot take him lightly when they play them in Week 11.
According to Bosa, “He’s definitely scrappy,” on Wednesday. “He’s tougher than he looks in the pocket with escapability and his athleticism, and then he’s good at, whenever guys are open within the scheme, he hits them.”
To help San Francisco win seven games, it will be up to Bosa and another former Buckeye, the recently acquired Chase Young, to torment Mayfield. However, don’t count on Bosa to raise the fictitious flag once more.
