As the NFL season draws to a close, a popular topic outside of playoff rankings in the AFC and NFC is the gifts quarterbacks receive to their offensive linemen for protecting them during the long campaign.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow probably wins the award for best gift, giving samurai swords to each of his linemen. Swords look stunning mounted on a wall or closed in a display case. They could create uncomfortably exciting moments at parties or add excitement to meal preparation.
However, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield may have presented the healthiest gift to his blockers. The Bucs linemen received cookies personalized with their jerseys, with numbers and names.
Mayfield also made sure the cookies were accompanied by his best drink, providing tall cups of milk. No skimming or 2% either. The blockers received whole milk, which is good for anyone who hasn’t had anything to drink in a long time.
Perhaps worried about his intake for the day, tackle Tristan Wirfs wondered if he was consuming 900 calories. His teammates dared him to swallow it and he did. Assuming the cup weighed 64 ounces, Wirfs ate approximately 1,200 calories. Let’s say you ate more than 2,000 calories from the cookies.
Who counts during the holidays? Well, maybe professional athletes. Derrick Henry doesn’t even Take a bite of red velvet cake. after the Baltimore Ravens’ Christmas Day victory over the Houston Texans.
But the offensive linemen have to hold their own and the Buccaneers have at least one more game left in Week 18 against the New Orleans Saints. Perhaps more so if the Bucs make the playoffs, something they are currently in position to do with a win over the Saints.
No, cookies and milk don’t rate as highly compared to samurai swords, golf carts, watches, jewelry, or cars. But Mayfield is lower. NFL QB salary list than Burrow, Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen. (It’s not Brock Purdy, but he may have received some help with sponsorship for the Toyota SUVs he gave away).
And Tampa Bay linemen don’t have to pay taxes or insurance on the cookies either.