In a recent clarification following his remarks about NFL icon Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield emphasized that his comments were misconstrued. During a press interview after the Bucs' impressive 33-16 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, Mayfield explained, “I think a lot of that got taken out of context. None of it was personal. It’s just what he demanded of the guys—that's the aura of Tom Brady. That’s what he did to bring a championship here.

Brady, widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, spent his last three seasons with the Buccaneers, where he led the team to a Super Bowl victory and three consecutive playoff appearances. However, reflecting on his tenure with Brady, Mayfield had previously mentioned that the atmosphere became "pretty stressed out" for the players.

On the “Casa de Klub” podcast, hosted by former MLB star Corey Kluber, Mayfield shared his perspective on the differences between his playing style and Brady’s. He noted that he had heard stories about Brady’s intense demeanor and competitive nature. Mayfield remarked, “The building was a little bit different with Tom in there. Obviously, playing-wise, Tom is different. He had everybody dialed in, creating a high-strung environment so I think everybody was pretty stressed out.”

Brady, who was in the Fox broadcast booth calling the Buccaneers-Eagles game at the time of Mayfield’s comments, didn’t hold back in his response. With a hint of humor, he quipped, “I thought stressful was not having Super Bowl rings,” emphasizing the champion mindset he brought to the field. His broadcast partner, Kevin Burkhardt, playfully noted that even the booth could become a stressful setting with Brady around.

Brady continued, “There’s a way to approach this game, and it’s with the right mindset, pushing each other outside of our comfort zone. Great teammates do that. With high expectations, we need to go out there and deliver.”

Despite the blunt exchange, Brady praised Mayfield throughout the broadcast. On the field, Mayfield thrived, completing 30 of 47 passes for a remarkable 347 yards and two touchdowns as the Buccaneers took control of the game.

Prior to the matchup, the two quarterbacks shared a warm moment, exchanging hugs on the field. Brady was also met with thunderous applause as he acknowledged fans from the broadcast booth, showcasing the strong connection he maintains with the Tampa Bay community.

As the NFL season heats up, eyes will be keenly watching both quarterbacks, particularly to see how Mayfield continues to develop under the Bucs’ regime without the weight of Brady’s legacy looming overhead. Can he indeed bring back the fun to football and lead Tampa Bay back to the playoffs? Only time will tell!