As the Detroit Lions prepare for their Monday Night Football clash against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, quarterback Jared Goff took a moment to highlight the respect he has for his counterpart, Baker Mayfield — a player whose journey through the NFL has been anything but easy.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the matchup, Goff reflected on Mayfield’s turbulent but inspiring path, describing it as “a story of perseverance and self-belief.”
“I respect the hell out of what Baker’s gone through,” Goff said. “He’s battled through being written off, traded, and questioned — yet he’s still out there competing at a high level. That takes a lot of mental toughness.”
Mayfield, once the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, has faced a series of ups and downs throughout his career. After a promising start in Cleveland, he was traded to Carolina and later landed in Tampa Bay — a stop that many thought would be temporary. Instead, he’s turned it into a new beginning, helping lead the Buccaneers to one of the NFC’s top records entering Week 7.
Goff, who’s had his own career resurgence in Detroit after being traded from the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, sees parallels between their stories.
“We’ve both been in situations where people doubted us,” Goff noted. “You go through that, and it builds something inside you. I think we both understand that.”
The Lions and Buccaneers have both surprised critics this season. Detroit’s offense, led by Goff, has been one of the most efficient in football, while Mayfield’s steady leadership has helped the Bucs stay atop the NFC South.
Their upcoming primetime matchup is shaping up to be a statement game for both quarterbacks — two former first-round picks who have learned to silence the noise and lead their teams with resilience and confidence.
“At the end of the day, you want to earn respect — and Baker’s done that,” Goff concluded.
