Byron Murphy Jr.’s first memorable highlight with the Minnesota Vikings is more of a lowlight as it involves him being mocked by Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield not only led the Bucs to a 20-17 victory in Minnesota on Sunday, but microphones caught the moment he bulldozed Murphy on a running play. As if getting knocked backward by a quarterback wasn’t enough, the mics caught Mayfield talking trash to Murphy.
“Get you weight up, little boy,” he shouted at Murphy. “Get that f****** weight up.”
That is an angry man 😡🖐️ pic.twitter.com/YWokLu0APa
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 11, 2023
The running play went for just five yards but it helped the Bucs move down the field on the drive that led to the go-ahead field goal late in the fourth quarter, which proved to be the difference in the game.
That wasn’t the only big run of the day by Mayfield. Later in the fourth quarter and facing a 3rd-and-3, Mayfield gained 4 yards for a first down to help put the dagger in Minnesota’s hopes of leaving Week 1 with a win.
Pro Football Focus gave Murphy a 62.0 grade and tracked him for five receptions on five passes into his coverage. Despite giving up give catches, they went for a total of just 35 yards. Part of the reason his grade wasn’t very strong was because he was charged for two missed tackles.
