Buccaneers’ Mayfield Shows Major Commitment To Team With Latest Move

Baker Mayfield’s remarkable turnaround over the past few seasons is one of the NFL’s most compelling stories. The Buccaneers’ quarterback went from being the Cleveland Browns’ No. 1 overall pick to struggling for backup roles with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams, before finding new success.

Given another chance with the Buccaneers two years ago, Mayfield has consistently validated the team’s decision. His standout 2024 season was a career highlight, marked by 4,500 yards, a 71.4% completion rate, and 41 touchdown passes.

Mayfield’s career resurgence has been a surprise to many. Now, he’s solidified as Tampa Bay’s starting quarterback heading into his third season. However, he’ll face a new challenge: working with his third different offensive coordinator since joining the team.

Mayfield and new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard will aim to replicate the success Mayfield had with former coordinator Liam Coen in 2024. According to NFL insider Albert Breer, Mayfield is fully invested in making this new partnership work.

“Earlier this year, Mayfield and his wife sold their place in his native Texas and moved full-time to Tampa,” Breer stated. “The upshot has been Tampa being able to hit the ground running in the spring.

Breer continued,

“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.”

This decision clearly demanded substantial sacrifice from Mayfield and his family, as relocating always requires significant adjustments, regardless of the circumstances.

Mayfield has taken steps to maintain his 2024 form, fully dedicating himself to making the most of his time with the Buccaneers.

Translating that success to the field will be a new challenge, as Mayfield and Grizzard will need to iron out differences in their system compared to Coen’s. Given Mayfield’s past performance, he and his new coach merit the opportunity to work through these adjustments.