Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield isn’t planning on rushing into a new deal with his current team without doing his due diligence.
The former No. 1 overall pick wants the dust from the ongoing coaching carousel to settle around him before he makes a final decision.
Mayfield is slated to become a free agent in March. After seeing the team overachieve this past season under Mayfield, the team appears interested in extending their pact with their 2023 QB1.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield Is Still Waiting For The Team’s Next Offensive Coordinator
Mayfield on Thursday expressed his outlook on his Buccaneers future while speaking to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe during Pro Bowl festivities. Mayfield didn’t answer with unambiguous commitment like another Pro Bowler who was asked a similar question by Wolfe. Instead, Mayfield pointed to the changing of the guard at the offensive coordinator spot in Tampa Bay.
“It all just kind of depends,” answered Mayfield to Wolfe. “Obviously Tampa, we’re going though a little bit of a OC search right now. It’ll start there. They were the first ones that gave me a chance, and (I’m) thankful for them. We’ll see. Taking it one day at a time.
Last season’s Buccaneers OC Dave Canales landed a head coaching gig with the Carolina Panthers. Mayfield pointed to Canales’ departure and ongoing search for his successor as a major aspect before the QB negotiates further on an extension.
“My agent and them, I think they engaged a little bit,” Mayfield added. “But obviously when Canales left — and happy for him, as well, getting a head coaching job, he deserves that — but when they started the OC search, I think they know that we’ve got to know who’s calling plays before anything’s done.”
The Buccaneers are reportedly working on a deal with former Los Angeles Rams OC Liam Coen. Mayfield and Coen spent time together when the former played briefly with the Rams last season. The veteran coach spent last season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the University of Kentucky. Perhaps Mayfield’s familiarity with Coen could expedite a potential extension in the coming weeks.
Baker Mayfield Exceeded Most Expectations In His First Year With The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mayfield thrived in his first season under Canales’ offensive leadership. The former Oklahoma product set career highs in passing yards (4,044) and passing touchdowns (28) despite entering training camp last season without even having the starting job locked down.
Mayfield also ended up on the short list of signal callers who ended up starting in all 17 games for his team. The 28-year-old QB’s stellar first season in Tampa Bay led to Mayfield earning his first Pro Bowl nod. Mayfield’s productivity and availability allowed the Buccaneers to sneak into the playoffs.
The Buccaneers may have been outclassed by a better Detroit Lions team in the Divisional Round, but they got much further than most pundits predicted before the season began.
The Buccaneers were supposed to spend several years wandering the starting QB wasteland following the departure of Tom Brady. Instead, Mayfield offers them the chance at stability — as long as they land an offensive coordinator that Mayfield likes, that is.