Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has his eyes on a Super Bowl ring this year. After an impressive statistical year in 2024, Mayfield has a renewed focus on minimizing turnovers and maximizing offensive efficiency under the guidance of new coordinator Josh Grizzard. Mayfield threw 41 touchdowns and averaged 7.9 yards per attempt during his stellar final collegiate season. He believes that this year can top all that success.
Last year Mayfield’s YPA was sixth highest in the league. That remarkable stat is a testament to his ability, but to how much his receivers created after the catch. He had his struggles too, tying for the league high with 16 INTs. This yin and yang nature has doubled his resolve to improve his game and carry the Buccaneers further into the postseason.
Most notably, Mayfield has been nursing a recent contusion on his throwing hand. As such, he was forced to skip a few practices last week. Despite this unfortunate turn, he is staying positive and focused on rising up and succeeding. Mayfield’s aim isn’t just to lead the Buccaneers back to an NFC South title, but rather to turn Tampa Bay back into a true championship contender.
“The goal is Super Bowl,” – Baker Mayfield
In first year under head coach Todd Bowles, the Buccaneers have won two consecutive divisional championships. They similarly reached the playoffs in 2023 and 2024. Grizzard has assumed the offensive coordinator’s duties. The new team is eager to put new strategies in place, all while doing their best to embrace Mayfield’s original free-flowing style of play.
Bowles made it clear that they don’t want to reinvent Mayfield as a quarterback. Rather, they want to make his instinctual decision-making more turnover-averse while making the most of the skills that make him valuable.
“We’re not trying to limit him as far as playing his game. We’ve just got to be smarter with a few more decisions going forward. He throws a lot of touchdowns and he makes a lot of plays for us. We just want to cut that interception ratio down,” – Todd Bowles
At the same time, Mayfield is absolutely flourishing in Grizzard’s system. Last year, that convoluted system rocked a dazzling 50.9% conversion rate on third downs, leading all of the NFL in the process. That familiarity should result in more consistent offensive production as they move into 2023.
During training camp, Mayfield has focused on developing chemistry with key receivers such as Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan, Emeka Egbuka, and Tez Johnson. The second aspect is it looks like the quarterback is actively taking deep shots and going for the stretch the field deal to really attack the defense.
“With the ball in his hands, he is a crazy athlete,” – Mike Evans
Mayfield’s fierce work ethic and dedication to constantly getting better comes through in the fiery, competitive way he practices and prepares. He understands how important fast decision-making and adaptability are, even throughout the in-game process.
“When it comes to game-planning against an opponent in season, you know your protection fixes. You know what you need to do,” – Baker Mayfield
The Buccaneers’ training camp has been focused on elevating each player’s performance and refining their skills as they prepare for the upcoming season. For Mayfield, it’s all about constantly raising the bar and keeping a winning mindset around the organization.
“We set our own standard, and our standard is we win the division the last few years,” – Baker Mayfield
Mayfield knows that success certainly won’t come easy. They are willing to do the heavy lifting, remain laser focused and truly keep their eye on the prize. The team’s goal is to always build on the record of success from previous years. They are singularly focused on a deep playoff run to achieve this goal.
As they move forward into the regular season, Mayfield’s combination of skill, experience, and determination will be pivotal for Tampa Bay’s success. The Buccaneers want more than to just contend, they want to crush their opponents along the way to a Super Bowl Championship.
Emeka Egbuka touched on the unpredictable nature of football, alluding to how adjustments might be the key to this team’s success.
“There’s 1,000 outcomes that can happen over the course of a game and a specific set of plays, so you’ve got to be ready for everything,” – Emeka Egbuka
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