Buccaneers Optimistic About Baker Mayfield's Growth
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield exceeded all expectations in his first season with the organization. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft entered last year's training camp in a battle with Kyle Trask for the starting job, and he ultimately won it with ease. Mayfield passes for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 2023, and more importantly, he led the team to a division crown and a Wild Card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Heading into 2024, the franchise is even more comfortable with him leading the offense. "He has to run the offense -- we talked about this, as far as getting the ball out where he needs to get the ball out and understanding the offense and making the correct checks," head coach Todd Bowles said. "I think he's taken it upon his shoulders. He came back in great shape and we expect him to do that. There's a lot more stability there than there was last year." The 29-year-old has limited fantasy upside since he doesn't do much as a runner, but the pass-catching group of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer, Rachaad White, and Cade Otton sets him up to post at least a few QB1 weeks in favorable matchups. He also has strong job security after signing a three-year, $100 million deal this offseason.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield showed significant progress during mandatory minicamp as he learns new offensive coordinator Liam Coen's scheme. It helps that Mayfield has a good amount of continuity among the team's offensive personnel, from his supporting cast of skill-position players to most of the offensive line. "He has a lot more audibles on his plate than he did in the past and he's getting them down very [well]," head coach Todd Bowles said of Mayfield. The 29-year-old Mayfield had a career year under Dave Canales, now the head coach of the Panthers, in 2023. Mayfield has plenty of playmakers around him and is great at pushing the ball downfield, but his lack of rushing upside pushes him down to low-end QB2 territory in fantasy as he looks for an encore in Tampa in 2024.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has reached a three-year extension with the organization. The former No. 1 overall pick has agreed to a three-year, $100 million extension. The deal reportedly includes $50 million in guaranteed money and Mayfield can earn up to $115 million over the next three seasons. This is a well-earned extension for Mayfield who did fantastic in his first year with Tampa Bay. Mayfield threw for over 4,000 yards with 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while leading the team to a postseason victory. The Bucs have already brought back Mike Evans and now Mayfield as they look to defend their division title.
New England Patriots personnel leader Eliot Wolf and newly hired Alonzo Highsmith both played a pivotal role in drafting quarterback Baker Mayfield first overall five years ago when they were with the Cleveland Browns, which has ESPN's Jeremy Fowler connecting the dots and suggesting that the Patriots could look to sign Mayfield in free agency this offseason. The Patriots could sign a veteran signal-caller like Mayfield and then trade the third overall pick in this year's NFL draft for more draft capital, which is desperately needed. If the Minnesota Vikings end up re-signing quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) to a long-term extension, Mayfield will be the top free-agent QB on the market after his career-best season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023.
Right now it looks likely that impending free-agent quarterback Baker Mayfield will re-sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason, but NFL Network's Tom Pelissero mentions the Atlanta Falcons as a dark-horse candidate to get involved. Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that re-signing Mayfield is an "extremely high priority" after the former first overall pick had the best season of his career in Tampa in 2023. New Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson know Mayfield from his short stint with the Rams at the end of 2022. Atlanta is seriously looking to upgrade the QB position this offseason over Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke, and Mayfield would represent an upgrade. However, all signs are pointing to the Bucs and Mayfield running it back in 2024.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and impending free-agent quarterback Baker Mayfield have started "preliminary talks about a new contract" this offseason. General manager Jason Licht is expected to meet with Mayfield's representation during the NFL scouting combine next week. After the 28-year-old Mayfield had a career season in his first year in Tampa in 2023, it's expected that there is mutual interest in a reunion for 2024 and beyond. Mayfield had a career-high 4,044 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and even led the Bucs to a wild-card playoff victory over the Eagles. The former No. 1 overall pick won't have offensive coordinator Dave Canales working with him in 2024, though, and there's a possibility he'll also lose top wideout Mike Evans in free agency. Mayfield's fantasy appeal as a solid QB2 would take a big hit if he doesn't have Evans to rely on.
Buccaneers Have Inside Track To Re-Sign Baker Mayfield
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the inside track to re-sign quarterback Baker Mayfield, who will become an unrestricted free agent in March. Mayfield had a career year in his first season in Tampa in 2023, and although he lost offensive coordinator Dave Canales, he'll now be working with Liam Coen, who he spent time with at the tail end of the 2022 season with the Los Angeles Rams. The Buccaneers could use the franchise tag on Mayfield in 2024 in order to keep him around. Mayfield has also gone on record saying he wants the team to bring back receiver Mike Evans, who will be a free agent as well when the new league year begins. Tampa has roughly $35 million available in salary cap space for the upcoming season. The best-case scenario for Mayfield and his fantasy value as a high-end QB2 will be a return to Tampa.
Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator Wants Baker Mayfield To Return
When asked about his confidence level in quarterback Baker Mayfield returning to the team in 2024, new Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen said, "higher than I probably need to be. I want him to be here. It's probably more want than know. He's obviously a reason that I'm here... I think he wants to be here." Mayfield had a career year in Tampa in 2023, setting career-highs in passing yards (4,044), completion percentage (64.3) and touchdown passes (28) while throwing 10 interceptions in 17 regular-season games. He even led the team to a wild-card playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The 28-year-old will be a free agent this coming March, but there's mutual interest from both sides in a reunion. At best, Mayfield will be a high-end QB2 in fantasy next year if Mike Evans also re-signs in free agency.
Buccaneers Expected To Pursue Extension With Baker Mayfield
Despite offensive coordinator Dave Canales' departure to become the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still expected to pursue a contract extension as quarterback Baker Mayfield enters free agency in 2024, according to a league source. Mayfield is coming off his best season in the NFL, completing 64.3 percent of his passes for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while leading the team to the playoffs in his first year in Tampa. Hiring Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen as Canales' replacement could help with retaining Mayfield, as the two overlapped late in the 2022 season with the Rams. Either way, Mayfield is going to be playing for his seventh different offensive coordinator in his seventh NFL season in 2024.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield saw his 2023 season come to an end, but he went down swinging. Mayfield completed 26-of-41 passing attempts for 349 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions during Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions. Mayfield and the Bucs' offense continued to fight until the end. They had a chance to tie the game on the final drive, but Mayfield threw an interception to end the comeback bid. Despite that, this season was a success for Mayfield and the Bucs. Mayfield came into the season competing for the starting quarterback gig. Now, Mayfield is looking for a multi-year deal after throwing for over 4,000 passing yards with 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions during the regular season. It sounds like there is mutual interest between the Bucs and Mayfield. It remains to be seen if the two sides will strike a deal this offseason.
