As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicked off their training camp this week, team leader Lavonte David expressed strong confidence in the squad’s potential to reach the pinnacle of the NFL, even as he enters his 14th season. On Thursday, quarterback Baker Mayfield, known for setting the emotional tone for the team, echoed that belief by emphasizing the high standards ingrained within the organization.

Mayfield Emphasizes Team’s Commitment to Elite Performance

Mayfield outlined the collective mindset inside the Buccaneers’ building as they aim to distinguish themselves at the highest level. He said,

“We know we have potential. I think everybody in this building knows that. The roster that Jason [Licht] has built, the chemistry that we have, the standard that [Head] Coach [Todd] Bowles sets each day. Elite is the standard. We realized that we have had mid-season lulls. We have had to scratch late in the year to get into the playoffs. The mindset is to be hungry, be killers, and finish it out early. That is whether [you mean] the games or the season, clinching our division. That is the whole mindset when you stepped on this field.”

—Baker Mayfield, Quarterback

This statement highlights the team’s recognition of inconsistencies during past seasons, including mid-year performance dips that forced late-season efforts to secure playoff spots. Despite these challenges, the team’s ambition remains fixed on early, decisive victories and extending their dominance in the NFC South.

Four Consecutive NFC South Titles Fuel Drive for Historic Fifth

The Buccaneers have established a remarkable run, securing four straight NFC South championships and now aiming to become the first franchise to capture the division crown five times consecutively. However, the path has not been smooth. After a dominant 2021 season, Tampa Bay narrowly clinched the title by just one game in 2022, edged out the New Orleans Saints on a tiebreaker in 2023, and only secured victory on the final day of last year’s regular season.

Mayfield’s tenure with the team has been marked by midseason struggles, including a 1-6 record stretch in 2023 and a 1-5 slump in 2024. These downturns forced the Buccaneers to rebound fiercely late in the season, demonstrating resilience but also exposing areas needing improvement.

Consistent Playoff Appearances Cement Tampa Bay as NFC Contenders

Tampa Bay stands out as the sole NFC franchise to have qualified for the playoffs in each of the last five seasons, a run that includes a Super Bowl title earned prior to Mayfield joining the team. National media initially doubted the Buccaneers’ prospects for the NFC South crown during Mayfield’s first two seasons, but perceptions have shifted heading into 2025, as the team is widely recognized as a conference powerhouse.

Despite external expectations, Mayfield insists the Buccaneers set their standards internally and aim to surpass past achievements.

“You want to set your own expectations,”

Mayfield said, continuing,

“That is a perception. When you look into our roster from top to bottom, it probably should be the guess and the bet. But we set our own standard, and our standard is we win the division the last few years. We are not just trying to do that; we are trying to take it to the next level. So, when you set the standard, you try and live up to it each day. That is what we are trying to do in training camp right now, elevate each other, get better each day at whatever you are trying to focus on. So yeah, the goal is Super Bowl.”

—Baker Mayfield, Quarterback

Outlook: Sustaining Dominance While Pursuing Championship Glory

As the Buccaneers train under Head Coach Todd Bowles’ leadership, their pursuit of a fifth straight NFC South title symbolizes more than just a divisional streak; it reflects an organizational commitment to elite performance. Baker Mayfield’s insistence on setting the internal “elite” standard highlights the team’s ambition not only to maintain their recent successes but to rise as true Super Bowl contenders. Tampa Bay’s ability to overcome midseason obstacles and sharpen their focus early in the year will be critical in sustaining their momentum and delivering on the ultimate goal of NFL supremacy.