Baker Mayfield didn’t sidestep the Kyler Murray question on Thursday. He leaned right into it.
Ahead of Sunday’s matchup between the Buccaneers and Vikings, Mayfield spoke openly about his former Oklahoma teammate and pushed back on the outside noise that has followed Murray for years.
“Kyler and I are close. I spent a couple of years with him at school and got to know him as a person,” Mayfield said. “I’d say he’s got a reputation on the outside, but once you get to know the guy-because I understand why people don’t like him, don’t get me wrong, I’d say the same thing about myself-you really appreciate the worker that he is.”
The comments came the same day Murray spoke in Minnesota after clearing concussion protocol, setting up a reunion between two Heisman winners and former No. 1 overall picks. They’ll meet Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium.
The timing adds some bite to the matchup. Mayfield is still searching for his first win of 2026, and Tampa Bay is 0-2. Minnesota enters at 2-0.
Murray’s path to Sunday has already taken a sharp turn. He signed a one-year deal with the Vikings in March after Arizona released him following the 2025 season.
His first appearance in Minnesota lasted only 11 snaps. On a first-quarter scramble against Green Bay, he took a hit from Javon Bullard and Lukas Van Ness, left with a concussion, and finished 3-of-5 for 18 yards with an interception.
Carson Wentz took over and helped Minnesota beat the Packers 39-22, then started again the next week in a 9-3 win at Chicago.
Wentz completed 23 of 39 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions over those two games.
Murray, 29, practiced on a limited basis last week, missed the Bears game, and was cleared Monday. He said Thursday he felt “good pretty quickly” after the hit and described the concussion process as “just part of the process.” Official Vikings coverage also noted that he remains close with Mayfield from their days together in Norman.
Mayfield hasn’t gotten much going early this season either. In losses to Cincinnati and Cleveland, he has completed 44 of 62 passes for 398 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Tampa Bay is still looking for its first win.
The history between these two quarterbacks tilts toward Murray. He has won all three previous meetings, posting a 110.1 passer rating with seven passing touchdowns and two interceptions. Mayfield has thrown for 678 yards, five scores and four picks in those games, according to Stathead head-to-head data.
Mayfield’s defense of Murray wasn’t just a throwaway line, and Murray made sure to return the favor. When asked about the “people don’t like him” comment, he said: “That’s my guy. I respect the hell out of Baker and what he’s been through.”
Now they’ll line up on opposite sides, each carrying a different record, but with the same old competitive edge still very much intact.
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