The quarterback is the head of the snake in football. They're the straw that stirs the drink, both on and off the field, though their methods of rallying the troops vary.
Some lead by example, letting their work do the talking. Others strive to foster a "we-first" culture with the greater collective constantly at the forefront. Then, there are the more vocal passers who galvanize a group with motivation, like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield embodies exactly what it means to be the face of the franchise. He ostensibly knows that being a signal-caller is so much more than just throwing a ball; it's also about instilling belief and confidence. His teammates can certainly attest to that, namely Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.
Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka praises Baker Mayfield's unique leadership skills
Not everyone is a fan of Mayfield's in-your-face competitive spirit. He's openly expressed a desire to "be annoying" without crossing the line in the heat of battle, which has drawn criticism over the years. However, his feistiness has rubbed off on the Bucs, as evidenced by Egbuka's recent comments in an exclusive interview with FanSided.
"He can literally motivate you to charge with a spear on a horse into a battle. He’s that type of war general. Having that fire on the sideline and in the huddle for me, since I’m on offense ... you kind of just want to go out there and pour out your whole life for your team. He plays the game with so much fire and so much passion, which I would say is more rare in the NFL."Emeka Egbuka on Baker Mayfield
As Egbuka alludes to, players are expected to carry themselves a certain way when they get to the league; this is a grown man’s game. Being emotionally charged can be perceived as unprofessional and bring about the infamous diva narrative that's ironically associated with receivers. The boulder-sized chip on Mayfield's shoulder has been considered egotistical, though the 2025 first-round pick said that "couldn't be further from the truth."
While embracing the underdog mentality isn't for everyone, Egbuka relishes it. As someone who was often overlooked in college thanks to Ohio State's constantly crowded wideout room, he can relate to Mayfield. The former has tremendous respect for the latter, and the feeling is demonstrably mutual.
Note: Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver spoke on behalf of Sleep Number.