The buzz around at home with Baker Mayfield commercials caught fire when NFL quarterback Baker Mayfield starred in a quirky campaign for Progressive that turned a football stadium into his “home.” Months after the campaign officially ended, social-media chatter and nostalgia remain strong — let’s dive into how this advertising phenomenon unfolded, why it resonated so deeply, and where things stand now.
THE CONCEPT THAT MADE STADIUMS FEEL LIKE SUBURBS
The core idea behind the “At Home With Baker Mayfield” ads placed Mayfield (and his wife, Emily Mayfield) living in an everyday-style home setting — only their “house” turned out to be the stadium of their then-team. Scenes featured him mowing the field as if it were his lawn, tossing out nachos instead of candy at Halloween, or dealing with rain delay like a homeowner worried about patio furniture.
This unusual twist worked because it:
- Took a familiar “home ownership” theme and dialed it up to absurdity.
- Leveraged Mayfield’s personality — confident, playful, a bit self-aware.
- Tied into Progressive’s message: “Protect your house — even if it’s huge.”
- Created memorable visuals that stuck in viewers’ minds.
The campaign gave viewers a reason to pause and smile, even if they weren’t avid football watchers. The stadium-meets-suburb premise made ordinary moments feel extraordinary.
KEY MOMENTS FROM THE CAMPAIGN
Over several seasons, the commercials built up a library of standout spots. Some of the most talked-about moments included:
- A Halloween ad where Mayfield and Emily hand out nachos to trick-or-treaters at the stadium gate, jokes included about being “neighbourhood famous.”
- A rain-delay commercial where Mayfield acts like a homeowner protecting outdoor furniture — only the “lawn” is the bleachers.
- A book-club scene where Mayfield, watering plants next to the stadium, complains about a neighbor obsessed with subway-tile kitchen trends and asks: “Hello 1904?”
- The classic mowing ad: Mayfield pushes a lawnmower across the turf, checking for bald spots like any yard-proud homeowner.
Each of these plays on the juxtaposition of “normal suburban life” and “NFL stadium life,” giving the campaign a strong identity and making it share-worthy on social platforms.
WHY VIEWERS LOVED IT
Several elements combined to make the campaign resonate:
- Humour and accessibility: Many commercials used everyday situations — hosting guests, doing yard work, book club drama — but then placed them in a wildly unexpected setting. That element of surprise made the ads entertaining.
- Star personality: Mayfield brought energy and authenticity to the spots. He wasn’t just a passive face; he leaned into the jokes, played along, and made the sets feel fun rather than forced.
- Regional connection: Progressive’s roots in Ohio and Mayfield’s then-role as the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns created local buy-in that spilled into national recognition.
- Memorable visuals: The “stadium as home” concept was strong and easy to recall — not a generic house or typo-moment, but a full-on field with homeowner problems. That made the ads stick.
One fan encapsulated it well: “Even though I don’t live in Cleveland, the ‘mowing the stadium’ bit made me laugh out loud.” The campaign became something people specifically looked out for — not skipped.
WHY AND WHEN IT ENDED
In July 2022, Baker Mayfield confirmed the campaign had officially wrapped. He noted that while he pitched a “moving out” version (showing him relocating to a new “home” stadium after changing teams), the concept didn’t come to fruition.
Some of the factors behind the campaign’s end:
- Mayfield’s departure from the Browns meant the original stadium-home concept lost its narrative anchor.
- The campaign was closely tied to the Cleveland market and identity; shifting the concept would require significant re-imagining.
- Marketing priorities can change, and brands often evolve once an idea has run its major course.
So while the ads are no longer running (in their original form at least), the impact has continued — on social media, among fans, and within advertising circles. The campaign ended, but the memory didn’t.
THE CAMPAIGN’S IMPACT ON BOTH BRANDS
For Baker Mayfield:
- The commercials elevated his profile beyond being just an NFL quarterback. They positioned him as a personality who could do humor and commercials, not just sports commentary.
- The visibility from consistent national-ad airings added to his off-field brand value and opened up additional endorsement opportunities.
For Progressive:
- The ads reinforced brand recognition in a competitive insurance marketplace.
- The mix of humour and relevance gave Progressive a standout campaign with real social-share appeal — rare in the insurance-advertising world.
- The campaign’s longevity and loyalty from viewers helped Progressive stay top of mind when customers thought of “home insurance.”
WHERE THINGS STAND TODAY
Although the “At Home With Baker Mayfield” commercials are no longer active, they continue to show up in discussions about successful athlete-brand collaborations and fan-favourite ad series. Key observations as of today:
- Vehicle-and-ad tracking services show that Baker Mayfield’s total commercial airings remain high — the legacy of the campaign still contributes to his visibility.
- Fans still reference specific commercials when they pop up on streaming services or YouTube compilations, highlighting the emotional connection created.
- Advertising blogs continue to cite this campaign as a case-study in how to build consistency, humour and brand voice through a long-running athlete partnership.
LESSONS FROM THE CAMPAIGN FOR ATHLETE-BRAND COLLABORATIONS
The “at home with Baker Mayfield commercials” offer several key takeaways for brands and athletes when crafting long-term partnerships:
- Narrative consistency matters: The campaign built on a strong visual concept — “stadium as home” — and stuck to it across multiple years. That continuity helps audiences remember and engage.
- Authentic personality works: Mayfield seemed comfortable, willing to play along, and didn’t appear overly polished or awkward. That human touch helped viewers connect.
- Humour + relevance = shareability: The ads were funny without being detached from the product message (home insurance). The balance of relatable everyday issues in an unexpected setting drove engagement.
- Brand-athlete fit is critical: The campaign worked because the stadium-home idea tied directly into Mayfield’s role with the Browns and Progressive’s Ohio roots. When that alignment shifted, the concept became harder to continue.
- Exit strategy matters: Knowing when to pause or evolve a campaign is as important as launching it. While fans wanted a “moving out” version, the decision to end cleanly maintains respect for the original concept rather than risk dilution.
THE LEGACY MOVING FORWARD
The campaign fulfilled its run but left an imprint. Today, it stands as an example of creative marketing meeting sports culture:
- It will likely be referenced in future advertising case-studies or brand forums.
- Baker Mayfield can point to it as a highlight of his off-field media presence and ability to expand his personal brand.
- Progressive can leverage its past success as a proof point when pitching future campaigns with other spokespeople.
For viewers and fans who saw the ads when they first aired, the effect lives on — the next time they spot a mundane home scenario, the mental image of “Mayfield mowing the stadium lawn” might pop up.
If you remember a favourite “At Home With Baker Mayfield” spot, share it in the comments below — and let us know which ad made you laugh the most!