Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield suggests he was 'handcuffed' by other teams

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield suggested previous employers didn't always put him in the best position to succeed. 

As mentioned by the JoeBucsFan website, Mayfield offered praise for new Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales while also seemingly taking a shot at other teams during a chat with NFL Network's Sara Walsh that occurred during mandatory minicamp.

"[Canales] gives us the keys eventually to be able to check things at the line of scrimmage and have answers," Mayfield said about what he experienced practicing under the coordinator. "You know, you’re not handcuffed at the line of scrimmage." 

Mayfield shared no specifics about being "handcuffed," but some media members hinted back in January 2022 that his relationship with Cleveland Browns head coach and offensive play-caller Kevin Stefanski had seen better days. The Browns ultimately landed Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans in March of that year and then shipped Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers in July. 

Statistically speaking, Mayfield was arguably the worst overall quarterback in the NFL when the Panthers released him in early December. He found a temporary home with the Los Angeles Rams and completed 82-of-129 passes (63.6%) for 850 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions across four starts and five appearances with that organization. 

"We’re able to use weapons, and if there’s a good matchup, take advantage of those things," Mayfield added about Canales' system. "The difference in this offense is we always should be able to get to a good play." 

JoeBucsFan noted that "various analysts" have touched upon "'quarterback-unfriendly' offenses Mayfield has played in" since becoming the first pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. The 28-year-old will hope those days are behind him as he reportedly heads into the summer leading a quarterback competition over 2021 second-round draft pick Kyle Trask. That battle potentially could last through the end of training camp and the team's final preseason game, a matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 26.