Baker Mayfield sends blunt message on Buccaneers facing former team

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be looking to get in the win column in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns .

The Buccaneers pulled off a gusty effort on the road in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals , but they came up short in their 33-27 loss. A lot of that had to do with their four fumbles, including three alone by Baker Mayfield. Those turnovers directly led to 17 points for the Bengals, which obviously proved to be the difference for Cincinnati.

As the Buccaneers prepare for their home opener against the Browns, the game is also notable because it represents Mayfield's former franchise. Mayfield began his career as the Browns' No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and spent the first four seasons in Cleveland (2018-2021), helping lead the Team to its first playoff win since 1994.

As he and the team prepare for their game against the Browns, Mayfield downplayed the storyline about him and instead focused on winning the next game.

"I mean, obviously, there's history there — there's no way to go around that," Mayfield said of the upcoming game against his former team. "It's the next opponent. Cleveland happens to be the next opponent — our home opener. So, yeah. Have a bad taste in our mouth, looking forward to getting it out."

"It's still the next one, and that's the most important one," Mayfield continued. "I've said that to you guys over the years — it doesn't matter who it is, the most important one is the next one. And we've got — I've got to get some stuff fixed. And we've got to move forward."

The Browns were thumped in their season opener, 34-10, against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It'll be their second consecutive game on the road in Florida, and it won't be an easy task considering the Buccaneers will be hungry for their first win after coming up a little short in Week 1.

Even head coach Todd Bowles downplayed the meaning of Mayfield facing his former team during media availability on Monday.

"No, I don't think so," said Bowles on if it will affect his play. "Baker is a very smart guy. He understands that he has to play better and take care of the football. That comes first, and then we'll worry about the opponent."

While the Browns are a completely different team since Mayfield last suited up for them in 2021, given how competitive the veteran quarterback is, he'll likely be looking for any extra motivation to win in Week 2. Considering he's facing his former team, who let him go in favor of Deshaun Watson, the Browns' Week 2 starter, it's safe to say that Mayfield will be playing with a chip on his shoulder come this Sunday.