Baker Mayfield takes Bucs draft pick Emeka Egbuka and family out to brunch

Baker Mayfield didn’t make a show of it, but what he did for Emeka Egbuka and his family says more than any press release ever could. The day after Egbuka touched down in Tampa, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback and his wife, Emily, quietly took the rookie wide receiver and his family out to brunch. Nothing flashy — just a gesture that, I guess, sets the tone.

“He asked for Emeka’s number the moment we drafted him,” said general manager Jason Licht during a conversation with Adam Schein. “And by Saturday morning, Baker and Emily had already picked up the whole family and were showing them around.” It’s the kind of thing you don’t hear about often — mostly because people like Mayfield don’t really talk about it. He probably wouldn’t have even wanted that detail out there.

The brunch spot? Tampa Club. Joining the gathering were some familiar names: Egbuka’s father Henry, mother Rhonda Ogilvie, and stepfather Eric. Also present were Bucs players like Luke Goedeke, Cody Mauch, Ben Bredeson, and Graham Barton, along with Barton’s girlfriend, Sydney Dagostino, and player engagement VP Duke Preston. It wasn’t just a social meetup — it had a bit of that pre-season electricity in the air.

“He’s been around so many great receivers,” Egbuka reflected. “He’s done things in the league that, honestly, I’ve watched closely. So now being in the same room, even briefly, that already gave me a boost. He texted me right after the draft. That… that meant a lot. I don’t know, it makes this feel more real.”

There’s always talk — about rookies adapting, veterans mentoring, team chemistry. But sometimes it just starts with breakfast. Or in this case, brunch.

The rookies will officially hit the field May 9 and 10 for minicamp. It’s close now.