Emily Mayfield is “so proud” of husband Baker Mayfield after the quarterback led the Buccaneers to a dominant wild-card playoff win over the Eagles on Monday night.
Taking to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, Emily — who is pregnant and expecting her first child with Mayfield, a baby girl — lauded the former first-overall pick, who has dealt with “so many naysayers” throughout his six-year career.
“The smile is everything,” Emily wrote in response to a post about Mayfield’s game-day stats.
“So much adversity. So many naysayers. People wanting him to fail. He hasn’t stopped working, he never stopped believing … I am SO proud of him.
‘”Onto the next one, @buccaneers.”
Mayfield, who had been dealing with ribs and ankle injuries entering Monday’s game, went 22-for-36, throwing for 337 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions in Tampa’s 32-9 victory.
“We worked extremely hard to get a chance to be in the playoffs and we just wanted an opportunity. Our guys came out and played really, really well. … Once again, the defense played lights out. We’re happy, but we’ve still got more to go,” the 28-year-old quarterback said.
The Buccaneers will next travel to Detroit to face the Lions in the divisional round on Sunday.
Mayfield has reestablished himself this season following a roller-coaster 2022.
The former Browns quarterback — who was the team’s top selection in the 2018 NFL Draft — was cut by the Panthers during the season and had a brief stint with the Rams.
He signed a one-year contract with the Buccaneers last offseason.
Last month, NFL.com reported there was mutual interest between the Buccaneers and Mayfield to move forward together in 2024.
“He’s meant everything, from a mental standpoint to a quarterback standpoint making plays, from a toughness standpoint, from a leadership standpoint,” Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles previously said of Mayfield.
“He’s done everything. He’s checked all the boxes. He’s doing all the right things now. I can’t say enough about him.”
In his first year in Tampa, Mayfield helped keep the Buccaneers’ NFC South streak alive with their third straight title, closing out the regular season at 9-8.
He and Emily have been married since 2019.