The Vikings may want to reevaluate their defensive signals heading into Week 2.
Buccaneers running back Rachaad White revealed that Baker Mayfield knew Minnesota’s defensive signals during Tampa Bay’s 20-17 Week 1 victory.
“I just remember Bake came in the locker room, literally at halftime, he said, ‘I got it. We got all these signals,’” White said on “Bucs Total Access,” according to JoeBucsFan.com.
“We’re in there talking as an offense and he’s like, ‘I know all these signals. If they do this, they’re going into Cover-2. If they do this, they’re going into Cover-3. Every time I alert this and they do this signal, they’re dropping back to this.’”
Using this to their advantage, the Bucs scored a touchdown on their first drive of the second half.
Mayfield finished the game with 173 passing yards and two touchdowns.
The pressure is on Mayfield to maintain the team’s success following Tom Brady’s retirement.
Being able to gain the trust and confidence of his fellow teammates is a not a new feat for Mayfield, who’s playing for his fourth NFL team.
“And I’m like, ‘Wow, that’s amazing.’ … I was just listening to him and we were listening to him and we just kind of understood.” White said.
It is a strong first step for Mayfield coming off a season where he was benched then released by the Panthers before ending the season with the quarterback-depleted Rams.
Mayfield resume boasts several credentials, including the 2017 Heisman Trophy and the No. 1 pick overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, so it is no surprise that Mayfield has what it takes to succeed with the Buccaneers.
The Vikings have a short week to shore up their issues, as they take on the defending NFC champion Eagles on Thursday night.
The Buccaneers host to the Bears on Sunday as they look to start the Mayfield era 2-0.
Chicago lost its season opener at Soldier Field, getting embarrassed by the Green Bay Packers, 38-20.
