Baker Mayfield made significant change ahead of working with new Buccaneers OC

For the third time in his Tampa Bay Buccaneers tenure that began in March 2023, quarterback Baker Mayfield has a new offensive coordinator. The Buccaneers promoted Josh Grizzard from pass game coordinator to replace current Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen.

NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated recently explained how Mayfield made a big move to prepare for playing under Grizzard.

"Earlier this year, Mayfield and his wife sold their place in his native Texas and moved full-time to Tampa," Breer said. "...The upshot has been Tampa being able to hit the ground running in the spring. With Mayfield and Grizzard establishing early on their plans to tweak the offense Coen brought in last year, rather than overhaul anything...the quarterback had the chance to be the teacher for his young receivers before they even got in front of the coaches. That happened during the dead period, with Mayfield hosting workouts at the Tampa area training facility where he does his offseason work."

Teammates such as linebacker Lavonte David and running back Rachaad White have spoken since the end of the 2024 season about how Mayfield is now the undisputed leader of Tampa Bay's offense. During his first two seasons with the Buccaneers, Mayfield played well enough for Coen and fellow former OC Dave Canales (Carolina Panthers) to receive head coaching gigs elsewhere. Most recently, the 30-year-old posted the best regular-season numbers of his career in Coen's offense. 

According to Pro Football Reference, Mayfield ended this past regular season ranked fourth in the NFL with a 106.8 passer rating, tied for second with 41 passing touchdowns and third with 4,500 passing yards. He signed a three-year contract in March 2024 but could put pen to paper on a massive extension next offseason if he guides the club to what would be a sixth-straight playoff appearance. 

"While stability of coordinator, play-caller and system would obviously be preferable, Mayfield and the Bucs are clearly doing all they can with the situation they’re in," Breer added about how Tampa Bay has been spending springtime workouts. 

History shows that having Mayfield as a QB1 can do wonders for a Tampa Bay coordinator's career. One wonders if Grizzard will receive calls about head-coach openings in January 2026 if he successfully builds upon what Coen and Mayfield accomplished in their one season together.