Buccaneers' Zac Robinson discusses 'hunger' Baker Mayfield feels amid contract uncertainty

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield remains in the final year of the three-year deal he signed in March 2024. 

Meanwhile, the Buccaneers are coming off a brutal collapse they suffered last season that was followed by franchise icon Mike Evans leaving the club to sign a three-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers amid his desire to collect a second career Super Bowl ring. 

New Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is familiar with Tampa Bay's QB1, as Robinson was Mayfield's passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach during the signal-caller's brief stint with the Los Angeles Rams during the 2022 campaign. While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Robinson was asked about Mayfield's "hunger" this offseason. 

Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers have an edge after 2025 collapse

"That word exactly," Robinson responded, per the JoeBucsFan website. "You can tell this group has an edge, which you want to keep that edge. You know, things didn’t go down the way that you would hope last season, obviously." 

The 2025 Buccaneers entered their bye week at 6-2, but the club then lost seven of eight games as Mayfield dealt with a significant injury to his non-throwing shoulder. Months after Tampa Bay missed the playoffs, Evans may or may not have taken a shot at the Buccaneers and at Mayfield when the receiver said he looked "at contenders" and at teams "with good quarterbacks" before he signed with the Niners. History shows Mayfield may use those comments as bulletin-board material later this year. 

Baker Mayfield doesn't need a reason to have an edge

"That’s why we’re all here," Robinson added during his comments. "So I think that Baker naturally already has that edge to him — and you can feel it even more. He’s been so intentional with his footwork and all the fundamentals and the details that [quarterbacks coach Chandler Whitmer] and our coaches are preaching to him."

The Buccaneers reportedly "intend to re-sign [Mayfield] and get that extension done" before Week 1 of the regular season arrives. If no such deal is signed, however, Mayfield could have an extra chip on his shoulder while playing in what could become a contract year.