Does Bucs' Baker Mayfield 'Need' Super Bowl Triumph For Legacy?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has enjoyed a career resurgence since arriving in the NFC South.

On the NFL scrap heap after stints with the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers in 2022 following his move from the Cleveland Browns as a No. 1 pick, Baker has found his home in Tampa.

Back-to-back division titles, two Pro Bowl nods, and coming off the best season of his career in 2024, Baker is finally starting to realize his potential. But does he need more?

CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo thinks so. Taking some inspiration from golfer Rory McIlroy, who completed his career grand slam with a win at the Masters 11 years after his last major, DeArdo has named Mayfield one of 10 quarterbacks who need a Super Bowl for their legacy. ... and also poses the same question that Bucs fans have.

"Mayfield has made the most of his opportunity with the Buccaneers," DeArdo writes. "He's played some of the best ball of his career and has led the Buccaneers to a pair of division crowns. But he and his teammates came up short at home against Washington in last year's wild-card round, dropping Mayfield's playoff record to 2-3.

"The loss to Washington begs the following question: Is Mayfield good enough to lead a team to a Super Bowl? That question continues to be unanswered heading into 2025."

There's no denying that the Buccaneers have the talent on both sides of the ball to make a deep playoff run, which we saw in 2023, when the team went on the road and pushed the Detroit Lions all the way in the NFC Divisional Round.

Last year was a setback, losing to the Washington Commanders, but with Chris Godwin back, and Haason Reddick signed in free agency, the Buccaneers feel primed to at least make the postseason in 2025.

But can Baker finally deliver something substantial to the NFC South champs?