Baker Mayfield And Wife Endured Struggles And ‘Dark Times’ As His NFL Career Took A Downturn.

After learning that his NFL career was in jeopardy a year ago, Baker Mayfield stated he is driven to make the most of his time with the Buccaneers.

The 28-year-old quarterback described in a news conference on Wednesday how his pregnant wife, Emily Mayfield, supported him through “dark times” as he moved from club to team until landing with the Bucs. The quarterback just agreed to a three-year, $100 million deal to return to Tampa Bay.

“There were a lot of dark times that we went through to get here and to have the support I think it’s extremely important that you can have to lean on at all times,” Mayfield said. “Not that I was very good at leaning on her at all times — I carry a lot of that weight on myself — but she has always been the support piece and has always believed in me.

“[She’s] just been consistent when I show up at home, good days and bad days. She’s even-keeled even when I might need a foot right up my rear end to get going. It’s unbelievable having a support piece and to be able to see it now that we’re going to be here calling this home for the next few years and got number one on the way.