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BY IRA KAUFMAN
Driven, competitive, aggressive, tough, leader. Buc fans know all the adjectives used to describe Baker Mayfield.
Let’s add one more — opportunistic.
If the 2025 Bucs can address their defensive issues, the biggest beneficiary will be No. 6, who did more with less than any quarterback in the league last fall. That’s not a knock on the talent surrounding Mayfield. Instead, it’s a recognition that Tampa Bay’s offense needs more opportunities to shine.
The Buc defense had difficulty getting off the field last season, a problem that peaked during the opening-round playoff loss to Washington. In that 23-20 setback, the Commanders reeled off 69 offensive snaps to only 44 for the home team.
That’s a staggering discrepancy, but it’s hardly an outlier.
For the season, the Buc offense was on the field for 181 drives. Only 10 teams had fewer possessions.
Consider what Mayfield accomplished in those circumstances: Only three teams had a better scoring percentage per drive than Tampa Bay. Only two teams registered more yards per drive.
Only the Chiefs spent more average time per drive.
What helped the Bucs maximize their chances?
Start on third down, where Tampa Bay ranked No. 1 among 32 teams. How about the red zone? Mayfield’s numbers grew when the field shrunk as he completed an NFL-best 73 percent of his throws, with 29 TD passes and one interception.
“He’s one of those quarterbacks that has that mentality in his head that he’ll do whatever it takes to win,” says Todd Bowles. “He’s determined to win. A lot of guys have developed that mentality because of him and we really like that.”
As good as Mayfield was last season — and he was very good — it’s not unreasonable to believe he can be even better this fall.
Can Baker Mayfield improve after a stunning season? Ira Kaufman explores.
He doesn’t turn 30 until April, so he should be approaching his prime. He’s healthy and he just proved he can keep the league’s No. 4 scoring offense humming, even with Chris Godwin sidelined.
Before Godwin went down with a dislocated ankle in Week 7, he looked like the NFL’s best receiver as the Bucs averaged 30 points. In the final 10 games, Tampa averaged 29 points as Mayfield kept the chains moving with his arm and his legs.
“I’ve always been a Baker Mayfield fan from afar,” says Lions coach Dan Campbell. “I loved him when he was coming out. There’s no wonder why people rally around him and follow him.”
Mayfield’s consistency was remarkable in 2024.
The Bucs led all teams by averaging 6.7 points in the opening quarter. In 2022, with Tom Brady under center for all 17 games, Tampa Bay averaged 2.8 points in the first 15 minutes. Only three teams were less prolific at the start.
Turning to the fourth quarter last season, Mayfield led the league in passer rating, completing 72.5 percent of his throws, with 12 TDs and two picks.
New offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard is operating under a stressful mandate … don’t screw up a good thing.
We all know Mayfield had a heavy hand in deciding who would replace Liam Coen, who will soon realize Trevor Lawrence is no Baker Mayfield.
“It means the world to me,” Grizzard says of Mayfield’s hearty endorsement. “He’s been fantastic.”
Imagine what Mayfield can be if the Buc defense plays complementary football and gives this offense more chances to light up the scoreboard?
The Bucs scored on four of their seven possessions against the Commanders, converting 56 percent on third down. It wasn’t good enough because rookie Jayden Daniels helped Washington go 8-for-15 on the money down. Tampa Bay’s embattled defense was on the field for more than 35 minutes.
All eyes will be on Grizzard as he calls plays for a potent attack. Now it’s up to the other side of the ball to maximize Mayfield’s opportunities.
He’ll take care of the rest.
