TAMPA, Fla. – You would think the numbers Baker Mayfield put up last season would be enough for the 30-year-old signal caller. Mayfield led a high-powered offense to another NFC South title and a playoff berth. Nope, not in the least.
“I’m happy to be here and happy to have a home,” Mayfield said. “But we have a lot of unfinished business and things we need to do to take the next step. It’s not just about a division title, it’s about making a run for the Super Bowl and a deeper playoff run.”
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Mayfield threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns in 2024. The 3rd-year Bucs starting QB led the NFL in the top five in most passing categories.
Mayfield said it starts at the line of scrimmage. Last season, he took more of a role in making sure everyone on offense knew what to do, and he wants to go further with that.
“For me, it’s continuing to over-communicate at the line of scrimmage,” Mayfield said. That was a big step last year. But, to take it to the next level, really, really take ownership and over-communicate to where we get a certain pressure or coverage, guys know what I’m going to check to.”
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The Bucs will have a new offensive coordinator, again. It’s the third year that Mayfield will be dealing with a new play caller, and that’s why head coach Todd Bowles is encouraging Josh Grizzard and Mayfield to call these plays live in portions of practice now, so that they’ll be ready once training camp starts.
I think it helps him (Grizzard) a great deal,” Bowles said. “It’s a work in progress, obviously, again, without pads, you can’t really see it, but understanding situations for him and seeing rapid fire and not having it on a sheet can only help him.”
Mayfield knows pretty much everyone on the offense, although he will be throwing to a new wide receiver, 1st round pick Emeka Egbuka. Mayfield, so far, is impressed with the Ohio State standout.
“The thing that sticks out is how cerebral he is,” Mayfield said. “He’s so smart. I think we could plug and play him at every (wide receiver) spot.”
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