Bucs' Mayfield: 'I don't like' the Saints

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield didn't hold back when asked about their rivalry with the New Orleans Saints ahead of their matchup Sunday.

"It hasn't exactly been clean play from their part when we play them," Mayfield told reporters Wednesday, including ESPN's Jenna Laine. "It's a physical game. It is what it is. You expect it, division rival. Yeah, not much else to say besides the fact that I don't like them."

Mayfield made similar comments this summer when discussing whether he felt bad about throwing the ball late in a blowout win over New Orleans in 2024 to help Mike Evans continue his streak of 1,000-yard seasons.

"I hate the Saints - absolutely not," Mayfield said on the "Pardon My Take" podcast.

Mayfield has faced the Saints five times in his career, including four as the Buccaneers' starting signal-caller. He's gone 3-1 with the team in those contests, throwing for 1,101 yards, 11 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Tampa Bay went 2-0 against New Orleans last season, winning by a combined 32 points.

The 30-year-old is having a terrific 2025 campaign, completing over 64% of his passes for 1,767 yards with 13 scores and just two picks. However, he's coming off his worst game of the year in which the Buccaneers' offense scored nine points in a loss to the Detroit Lions.

Tampa Bay is 5-2 heading into Sunday's game, while the Saints sit last in the NFC South with a 1-6 record.