Not only is former New Orleans Saints legend Drew Brees one of the top quarterbacks in NFL history, he may be the best short quarterback of all-time – listed at 6-foot, 209 pounds during his 20-year pro career.
During an appearance on the Jim Rome Show, Brees was very high on the Bucs’ own short quarterback, Baker Mayfield, who stands 6-foot-1.
“He kind of falls in that category of he’s in the 6-foot-and-under club, right?” Brees said. “I have this love for the guys that were kind of the undersized, underdog, chip-on-the-shoulder, right? Always something to prove, you know? He’s definitely in that category.”
“I love Baker’s journey.”@drewbrees on his admiration of Baker Mayfield. pic.twitter.com/BREbsPZbot
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) September 4, 2024
Brees was asked about Mayfield and the success he had last year in his first season with in Tampa Bay.
Former Browns QB Baker Mayfield and Browns CB Denzel Ward – Photo by: USA Today
“I love Baker Mayfield’s journey,” Brees said. “Say what you want, the guy comes across as borderline cocky, confident, arrogant – whatever you want to say, right? But the fact of the matter is here’s a Texas kid – he actually grew up right down the road from me. And he goes to Texas Tech, ends up walking on at Oklahoma, having to basically earn his way just because he had aspirations to play, I think, at a bigger program and make a run at the national championship.
“That’s exactly what he did – Heisman winner. Ends up being a high pick, obviously, to the Cleveland Browns, which is a tough situation. But nonetheless you know he led them to the playoffs.”
Mayfield was the No. 1 overall pick in 2018 out of Oklahoma and he took the Browns to the playoffs in his third season in 2020. Cleveland finished 11-5 that year and also had an impressive road playoff win at Pittsburgh before losing to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in Kansas City in the next round of the postseason. The Chiefs would end up losing to the Bucs in Super Bowl LV in Tampa Bay a few weeks later.
Like Baker Mayfield, Drew Brees Found Even More Success With Another Team
Drew Brees was the 32nd overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. After five years with his first team, Brees hit free agency after injuring his shoulder in the 2005 season finale and opted to sign with New Orleans instead of San Diego or Miami. He spent the next 15 years helping the Saints win multiple division titles and Super Bowl XLIV.
Brees marveled at Baker Mayfield having success with the Bucs in 2023 after being traded from the Browns to the Panthers in 2022 and then being waived and claimed by the Rams later that year. The fact that Mayfield persevered is a testament to his grit and his Texas roots – a trait that both he and Brees share coming from the Lone Star State.
“And so then you look at his career, having to bounce around a little bit,” Brees said. “I think there’s always been something there, though. There’s a drive. There’s a determination. There’s a resiliency. Look, I think there’s probably a maturation that’s taken place, too. The NFL’s tough, man. Fan bases can be tough sometimes. The critics can be tough. You know he’s taken it on the chin a few times. But if you just keep getting up and you keep coming back stronger, then eventually you’re going to get your opportunity.
“I think he’s taken that approach. And I think the success he had last year just shows when he when he gets into a capable situation with some playmakers around him, man, he can make some plays. He can get the job done.”
Fresh off his first 4,000-yard passing season and his initial Pro Bowl berth, Mayfield signed a three-year contract worth $100 million with the Bucs this offseason. On Thursday, he was named a team captain in Tampa Bay for the second straight season heading into a 2024 season with high expectations.
