Baker Mayfield comments on Buccaneers, Liam Coen links

It sounds like Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield would welcome having Liam Coen as an offensive coordinator after the two worked together with the Los Angeles Rams late in the 2022 season. 

"I got to work with Liam in L.A.," Mayfield said from the site of the Pro Bowl Games on Friday morning, as shared by Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "Great guy. Really, really great guy. If they lock that down for sure, it’s a similar system. Same system, some different terminology in how he wants to call things. There’s something to say about that with continuity in the offense for skill guys and the offensive line. It’s important to have."

Mayfield played under coordinator Dave Canales this past season. Canales is now the new head coach of the Carolina Panthers. 

Grant Gordon of the NFL's website noted how Mayfield said Thursday that where he signs as a free agent "kind of depends" on who is working as offensive coordinator for particular clubs. 

While NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo (h/t Kevin Patra) reported earlier on Friday morning that the Buccaneers are "working on a deal to hire" Coen, who most recently served as Kentucky's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, it was unclear as of early Friday afternoon when such an agreement may be finalized. 

Mayfield first had Coen as a coordinator when the 28-year-old appeared in five games and made four starts during his cup-of-coffee stint with the Rams. However, Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk pointed out that Coen did not call plays across those contests. 

Buccaneers senior advisor Bruce Arians raised eyebrows when he recently said he's confident the club will keep key impending free agents such as Mayfield and star wide receiver Mike Evans. To accomplish that goal, Tampa Bay may have to use the franchise tag on one of those starters by the March 5 deadline for such moves. 

Tampa Bay landing Coen could prove to be a step in the right direction as it pertains to Mayfield signing a so-called team-friendly contract to stay put.