Baker Mayfield welcomed his first child in April 2024, and then something magical happened. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback had the best season of his career, making his second Pro Bowl and setting personal bests in passing yards and touchdowns. Now, as he prepares for his third season with the Bucs, his lucky charm is coming along for the ride.
How Has Daughter Kova Changed Baker Mayfield’s Approach to Football?
Baker and Emily Mayfield have been together since 2017 and tied the knot with an extravagant wedding in 2019. In April 2024, Emily gave birth to their daughter, Kova, and the baby girl has proven to be a lucky charm for Mayfield’s NFL career.
The 30-year-old quarterback is now keeping his lucky charm with him through offseason practices. He posed for an adorable picture with Kova and Emily at Raymond James Stadium, showing the family unity that has fueled his recent success. Emily shared the beautiful moment on her Instagram handle, writing, “Excited for year 8! ♥️.”
Mayfield was selected first overall by the Cleveland Browns in 2018, but had a rocky start to his career before ending up in Tampa Bay after Tom Brady’s retirement. However, over the past two seasons, he has completely turned things around with back-to-back career years.
What Does Mayfield’s Future Hold With the Buccaneers?
In 2023, Mayfield posted 28 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and 4,044 passing yards, showing he had found his groove as a reliable quarterback. This breakout performance earned him a three-year, $100 million deal after his first Pro Bowl selection. Mayfield lived up to every penny of that contract in 2024, recording 41 touchdowns, 4,500 passing yards, and 16 interceptions despite dealing with injuries to several key offensive weapons throughout the year.
The Bucs have made the playoffs in the last two seasons, winning the division both times and proving to be a resilient, tough opponent throughout the regular season with Mayfield under center. While the Pro Bowler has yet to prove himself in the playoffs, Bucs general manager Jason Licht has expressed interest in keeping the quarterback for a long haul in Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay enters the 2025-26 season with the third-ranked offense according to the PFSN Offense+ metric. The biggest challenge will be overcoming the loss of offensive coordinator Liam Coen, the architect behind much of the team’s 2024 success.
Once again, Mayfield will have to prove his worth and lead the Buccaneers to a sixth straight playoff appearance as their quarterback. If he manages to win a game or two in the postseason, a new extension is likely to come at the end of the 2025 season, potentially pushing his annual salary north of $50 million.
