Baker Mayfield has become one of the NFL’s best redemption stories.
After going from No. 1 overall draft pick to being written off as a bust, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback revived his career, earned a massive contract extension and is now one of the stars of Netflix’s new season of Quarterback.
The series follows Mayfield through the highs and lows of an NFL season, offering a close look at his journey on and off the field. While it captures many defining moments of his comeback, Mayfield says his faith has also played a meaningful role in shaping who he is today.
In a recent interview, Mayfield reflected on growing up in what he described as a “twice-a-year church” household. He believed in God, he said, but never truly lived out his faith.
“I believed but wasn’t truly walking the walk,” Mayfield said.
That changed after what he called a “crash and burn” during his college career at Oklahoma. In the middle of that difficult season, Mayfield connected with a local pastor who reminded him that his worth wasn’t tied to his performance.
“He saw something in me that he could relate to,” Mayfield said. “No matter what you present on the outside, everybody’s going through something. You don’t have to have it all figured out. We’re not made to be perfect. You’re loved no matter what.”
Looking back now, Mayfield believes God was using that season to redirect his life.
“I was trying to create my own destiny there, but it wasn’t right for me,” he said. “It wasn’t the one that He chose. There’s always hope. No matter good or bad times, He has a plan for you. You have to trust in that and have faith.”
That perspective has also reshaped how he thinks about football itself.
“I’m here with a purpose, and it’s not to be a football player,” Mayfield said. “It’s to lead. It’s to inspire people, make them better on and off the field.”
For someone whose career has swung from Heisman Trophy winner to franchise savior to NFL journeyman and back again, Mayfield says his biggest success has been discovering an identity that doesn’t disappear after a bad game.
“What makes me feel whole… understanding that I am loved by God and I do have a Lord and Savior—that’s the one thing that saved me,” he said. “Until I realized that, I didn’t feel whole. But it feels pretty good now.”
