ExtremeRavens Posted October 18 Posted October 18 Baker Mayfield just misses his best friend. In a tongue-in-cheek conversation with ESPN reporter Jenna Laine on Thursday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback said his former Oklahoma teammate won’t talk to him during the season — even before they face off on “Monday Night Football” when the Ravens visit Raymond James Stadium. “Even though Mark and I are best friends, him and I don’t talk in season,” Mayfield said jokingly. “He’s a weirdo. He can’t exactly separate friendship and football, so he struggles with that on a year-to-year basis. So there’s a few months at a time where we’re friends again. But for right now, no.” Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield calls best friend and former OU teammate Mark Andrews (whom he’ll see Monday night) a “weirdo” and says “he can’t exactly separate friendship and football.” He also believes “he’s changed” because he “has a very serious girlfriend.” pic.twitter.com/LFpLBA2irE — JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) October 17, 2024 Andrews and Mayfield formed a prolific connection on the field for the Sooners, with the tight end catching 62 passes for 958 yards and the Texas Tech transfer throwing for 4,627 yards and 43 touchdowns in 2017 as Oklahoma went 12-2 and reached the College Football Playoff semifinals. Mayfield won the Heisman Trophy, while Andrews earned the John Mackey Award given to the best tight end in college football. Mayfield was drafted first overall by the Cleveland Browns in 2018 — 31 spots ahead of fellow Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Lamar Jackson — then was traded to the Carolina Panthers after his fourth season. He struggled and was cut before making four spot starts with the Los Angeles Rams. After playing well on a one-year deal with the Bucs in 2023, he received a three-year contract worth up to $115 million to stay in Tampa Bay, where he’s 14-11 as the starter in the regular season and playoffs. Andrews, meanwhile, has spent his entire career with the Ravens, becoming one of Jackson’s favorite targets and a three-time Pro Bowl selection. He’s struggled this year in his return from a severe ankle injury last November, catching just 13 passes for 186 yards, but is coming off his best game of the season. In a 30-23 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Andrews had three receptions for 66 yards, including his first touchdown catch since Week 8 of last season. “It’s awesome to see Bake back to being Bake, his little remarks and whatnot,” Andrews said in a video posted on the Ravens’ X account. “I don’t think 100% of what he said is factual, but it’s good to see Bake back to being Bake, and excited to see him after the game.” .@Mandrews_81 isn't having it, Baker pic.twitter.com/r150SxrqUw — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 18, 2024 While this will be the first time the friends face off since the Panthers’ 13-3 loss to the Ravens on Nov. 20, 2022, at M&T Bank Stadium, Mayfield — who is 3-6 in his career against Baltimore — still hasn’t heard from his former teammate. “It hurts. It hurts my feelings,” Mayfield said. “That guy was in my wedding and won’t talk to me. It hurts my feelings. Just gotta be honest.” Mayfield took the opportunity Thursday to jokingly question if Andrews has changed because of what he called “a very serious girlfriend.” ESPN said that Andrews has been dating social media ambassador Elena Yates since the summer of 2023. “Some people think he’s gone soft,” Mayfield said. “I’m not one of those people, but the people are murmuring. There’s whispers out there.” If there was any doubt about Mayfield’s true feelings for his friend-turned-rival, he ended his news conference with a simple “Love you, Mark.” Have a news tip? Contact C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.