Baker Mayfield Would Come Bucco Bruce Arians Approved
March 12th, 2023
Bucco Bruce Arians
Joe is all fired up about the Bucs pursuing Baker Mayfield in free agency. Well, at least the Joe typing here is.
First, the Bucs need a quarterback, a guy capable of hitting the ground running with stud weapons like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Russell Gage. Joe would bet $500 those guys are fired up this afternoon hearing Mayfield’s name being reported as a target to compete with Kyle Trask for the starting job.
Mayfield will be a free agent at noon tomorrow when the 2023 dinner bell rings. He turns 28 next month and was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the bumbling Browns. He has big-time talent.
Late in the 2018 season, Bucco Bruce Arians was retired and working for CBS Sports when he made it very clear that he wanted to step out of the CBS broadcast booth and return to coach one NFL team: the Cleveland Browns. “The only job I would consider,” Arians said.
And their young quarterback was Mayfield. And Arians had spent time at Browns practices as part of his duties calling Browns games for CBS.
Last year when Tom Brady retired, former Bucs QB Shaun King named Mayfield as one of three “shown-enough” quarterbacks that the Bucs could/should consider to replace Brady. But Brady unretired and Mayfield landed in the mess that was the Panthers.
After Carolina cut him when the team tried to tank, Mayfield was then scooped up by the Rams. There he did a solid job taking over a bad team in midseason, which is a brutally difficult task.
Signing with the Rams, for Joe, meant Rams quarterback guru head coach Sean McVay believed in Mayfield.
Fascinating to Joe is that Mayfield is a huge alpha-male personality. If he comes to the Bucs, he’s coming to win the quarterback job on Day 1 and he’ll act from the outset like it’s his team.
That does not mean he will win the job, but Mayfield isn’t a guy you sign to play nice with Trask.
With Mayfield firmly in mind, Joe asked Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales at the NFL Scouting Combine whether the Bucs’ quarterback search would take personality into consideration, and whether working well with Trask was key. Canales said the priority would be throwing accuracy.
Exciting times to be a Bucs fan. Let the negotiating begin!
March 12th, 2023 at 2:22 pm
As if that even matters
There is no doubt the Glazers have a hand in the direction/decisions at the quarterback position. And you can take it to the bank that they are interested in what the quarterback whisperer has to say, in addition to Licht and Bowles when it comes to QB. –Joe
March 12th, 2023 at 2:24 pm
Baker Mayfield is the poor man’s Derrick Carr…
Now bring in Drew Lock or draft a QB like Hooker or Stetson Bennett and we have our 3 QBs.
Sounds good to me.
March 12th, 2023 at 2:28 pm
There is no doubt the Glazers have a hand in the direction/decisions at the quarterback position. And you can take it to the bank that they are interested in what the quarterback whisperer has to say, in addition to Licht and Bowles when it comes to QB. –Joe
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Is Arians gonna start showing up at practice again? Oooooh, maybe he can be our OC since our current stop-gap hasn’t even been one before.
Such a shame that, apparently, as soon as Brady walked out the door, so did the team’s commitment to winning football games.
March 12th, 2023 at 2:32 pm
you make Mayfield sound intriguing…
If he makes the Bucs contenders, GREAT!…
But someone should stop him from head butting helmets…
March 12th, 2023 at 2:33 pm
This Joe must be Steve 😂 🙌
March 12th, 2023 at 2:34 pm
If true I am a little skeptical about Mayfield’s attitude and leadership but, I guess the Bucs know what they’re doing. I would like to know why a team like Carolina who was QB needy let him go.
March 12th, 2023 at 2:34 pm
@Walter – on the Rich Eisen show, Arians said he can’t wait to get back down there (Tampa) and be with the team!
March 12th, 2023 at 2:35 pm
I actually don’t mind this too much. We need at least one more QB, and probably two, on the team, and I think Mayfield would be a good pickup. I certainly prefer him over Gabbert. Then we draft Hooker in the second round (if he lasts till then).
If Trask is all he’s made out to be, he should beat out Mayfield for the No. 1 spot. However, I have a feeling Mayfield will be our starting QB in 2023.
March 12th, 2023 at 2:41 pm
@Tye
Cool, maybe he can use his QB whisperer powers to make Baker or Trask only slightly below average starters and then we can win 7 games instead of 4. Then not only will we suck, but we’ll miss out on Caleb Williams, win-win.
Sorry for being a downer, but I’m gonna have to see Baker or Trask produce before I give them any credit. Right now as it stands, we are not even close to being competitive.
March 12th, 2023 at 2:41 pm
Sign him, let him show what he’s got! Most qb s have a large ego! If he can produce more wins then TB12 did last year, and get another division title, and home playoff game… nobody will care that he can be an ash!! Well maybe some of the other players. Not the fans!!
March 12th, 2023 at 2:44 pm
Mayfield would be an excellent choice. Ler me just say I predict Hooker & Richardson to be busts.
March 12th, 2023 at 2:45 pm
I figured it be Mayfield or Winston we sign as comp for Trask…
March 12th, 2023 at 2:46 pm
Sometimes I feel JBF stands for Just Be Losers on behalf of a bunch of pseudo-fans.
March 12th, 2023 at 2:47 pm
Failures, I meant..
March 12th, 2023 at 2:50 pm
Quaterback Du Jour
March 12th, 2023 at 2:50 pm
Quarterback
March 12th, 2023 at 3:01 pm
Bring him in along with Stetson to fight it out with Trask
March 12th, 2023 at 3:09 pm
This is a guy that could be worth something substantial in the future. And he wouldn’t cost us an arm and a leg. He and Trask would both be learning new systems and have a chance to compete. I think if he and coach C think there is some there there, go for it.
March 12th, 2023 at 3:13 pm
Oh God, another retread who has done nothing in his career. With him the team can go 5-12 instead of 3-14 under Trask. Yippie!
March 12th, 2023 at 3:13 pm
Winston…you guys must be partaking of Rodgers Ayahuasca. Crabby Jameis will never be back. He had five years. And still couldn’t throw many more TD’s than INTs. Payton tried to make him a reclamation project. It didn’t work. Backup for someone? Yeah. But to bring him in here, just reigniting the rivalry between FSU and UF fans over the starting position? It would be insane. And I mean literally.
March 12th, 2023 at 3:18 pm
Sign Mayfield! He’ll beat out Trask! Draft Kendon Hooker
March 12th, 2023 at 3:18 pm
Let’s see.
Trade a ransom for Lamar, not unlike the Panthies traded for a first round pick, then own his ridiculous contract, obviating the capability to retain any other good players, and then watch Lamar miss half the games due to injury.
Or sign Baker for $6 million and keep most of the offense in tact. Canales seems like a good fit for Baker, and Baker impressed with the Rams. I bet they wouldl prefer him to Stafford after seeing that.
Make it happen, Jason, then draft Hooker or Bennett, or sign a second cheap veteran, like Keenum. Then Trashk can practice his clipboard holding skills on the practice field and leverage tose smarts everyone talks about.
Funny, though, no one on or in the Bucs organization ever talks about how good of a passer he is.
March 12th, 2023 at 3:21 pm
I didn’t mind Baker as the backup for Brady, but purely as a backup. The guy was so bad he got cut by Carolina only a few months after they traded for him. But yeah, he had a nice game vs a terrible Raiders defense, but since it was in primetime people now think this dullard who has got ran out of town everywhere he’s been is suddenly good.
Also there is the salary issue. Last year Winston got a $28m deal for 2yrs with $21m guaranteed. I’m not sure who those people are that think Mayfield is signing for a couple of million dollars – I’d assume, at the low end he’s going to cost around $10m, and I think he might be closer to $15m, and basically all of that cap hit goes against next year.
No thanks.
Just let Trask have the job and see what you have. If he stinks, great, we got the top pick in 2024. If he’s good, great, you got a future QB. The absolute worst thing to do is to sign some scrub who will play half the downs, improve the team slightly so you no longer get that top pick, and who takes away playing time from Trask so going into next year you still have no idea what you have in him.
Yes, I get it, that Bowles is coaching for his job. But let’s be real, Bowles was handed a SB caliber team and managed to go 8-10. He’s not suddenly turning things around.
March 12th, 2023 at 3:28 pm
“Baker Mayfield is the poor man’s Derrick Carr…” Put Baker and Carr and Jimmy G tape side by side and I bet you come back saying Baker is and should be the better qb of the three.
March 12th, 2023 at 3:34 pm
chark Says:
March 12th, 2023 at 3:28 pm
“Baker Mayfield is the poor man’s Derrick Carr…” Put Baker and Carr and Jimmy G tape side by side and I bet you come back saying Baker is and should be the better qb of the three.
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That’s like saying you have a pile of pig s—, a pile of dog s—- and a pile of hose s—, and then saying the dog s— smells the best.
March 12th, 2023 at 3:42 pm
Don’t be fooled, Baker is going to cost $12 to $15m other teams are still QB searching. He maybe the best price friendly option. He ain’t no Carr.
March 12th, 2023 at 4:15 pm
Tampa would be desirable for a guy in his position. Still got weapons and he’d probably have an easy path to start. What other teams are gonna be better for a guy who has something to prove?
March 12th, 2023 at 4:21 pm
It seems fans forget the two seasons Brady had with the team. One in which he led the team to a SB. Why are we dismissing him because of his average season last year. I think last year should be thrown out the door. I think just having a new OC with a right mentality will make this team better. Also, if we don’t get the injury bug. I do not think the receivers are fired up about Mayfield. He’s alienated receivers in Carolina and Cleveland. OBJ is very well respected amongst his peers, especially other receivers. He had a problem with Baker. Also, DJ Moore in Carolina didn’t like him.
March 12th, 2023 at 4:28 pm
I’m very ok with them picking up Mayfield. Don’t see why he wouldnt, he’s gotta be confident that he can bear out Trask and whoever they draft in round 6.
March 12th, 2023 at 4:30 pm
13 — OBJ is a known diva, although not like AB. DJ Moore was loyal to Darnold.
Our guys are such high character guys, they can and will get along with anyone as long as he doesn’t totally chew the root.
March 12th, 2023 at 4:56 pm
Walter Says:
March 12th, 2023 at 2:28 pm
Is Arians gonna start showing up at practice again? Oooooh, maybe he can be our OC since our current stop-gap hasn’t even been one before.
Such a shame that, apparently, as soon as Brady walked out the door, so did the team’s commitment to winning football games.
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@Walter, if you do the math you’d find out that 100% of ALL OC’s in the history of the NFL started off with zero NFL experience as an NFL, including all the greatest ones.
So, to judge them on that basis while not taking any other factors into consideration is just ignorant.
March 12th, 2023 at 4:57 pm
^^^^^as an NFL OC…
March 12th, 2023 at 5:12 pm
The discussion initiated by the two joes here at JBF seems to be whether we should gamble on Hendon Hooker or Baker Mayfield. Since we are supposedly retooling rather than tanking why not try to maneuver our way to acquiring both! Picture Mayfield, Trask and some other cheap veteran journeyman battling it out for the starting spot come our first game in September. Add Hooker to the mix by November and see what happens. Should we surprise a lot of people and stumble our way into the playoffs in January Bowles will certainly have saved his job.
Next March we will be out of NFL “cap hell and we will know where we stand with any QB needs for sure! I’m always fantasizing about a win-win situation for our franchise. I am a diehard Buccaneer fan who never gives up hope. Call me a twit, a jackass or a troll. I don’t care. 😜
March 12th, 2023 at 5:33 pm
Foles, Minshew YES
Faker Mayfield NO (unless you’re looking for someone to do commercials)
March 12th, 2023 at 5:39 pm
Canales did have a year as an OC. SO he does have ONE year of exp calling plays. I was scared he had never called plays before. I am so relieved.
Canales began his coaching career serving as the head coach and offensive coordinator of the freshman/sophomore team at his alma mater, Carson High School from 2004-2005
March 12th, 2023 at 6:01 pm
yep, cold blow it out the water with lamar…
or bring in baker and his commercials and shenannies…
if jeff garcia played today, would he be considered as a solid transitional qb for us?…
yes he would – so why not baker
March 12th, 2023 at 6:56 pm
The best part of it is Mike Evan’s is use to playing with a QB of similar traits… Johnny Football!
March 12th, 2023 at 7:24 pm
Let’s not get too excited, free agency hasn’t even begun. I wanted Baker last year to back up Brady so he could slide into this years starter role. We also need, obviously, a back up plan in place. I know Jason is prepared with his team so a name that keeps popping up is Taylor Heinicke. I always evaluate quarterbacks that have played against our defense. And oh by the way, he did pretty well.
March 12th, 2023 at 7:38 pm
Mayfield has one of the strongest arms there is. He is still young, somewhat mobile, can make every throw on the field and is able to command an offense. I’m not sure why some folks are so apprehensive about him….maybe it’s his personality.
How fun would Mayfield be in a SB boat parade ? I wanna see it.
March 12th, 2023 at 7:55 pm
Pewter, not many back up QB’s didn’t do well against Bucs D.
March 12th, 2023 at 8:32 pm
The more pedestrian the quarterback, the better they do against the Bucs.
Baker has been through the ringer. I’ll bet he has matured and I’ll bet he’ll like Tampa. I just wish he were taller.
March 12th, 2023 at 9:16 pm
Love all the idiots who say something to the effect of “yeah, he’ll likely cause the Bucs to win a few more games than Trask (and these are Trask fans), but let Trask play anyway and if he sucks, we’ll get a great draft pick. If not, we have our QB of the future.” Someone please tell me how that makes any sense at all? If you’re scared of Mayfield beating out Trask, then Trask must really suck, right?!!
Also keep in mind that with the extremely weak schedule the Bucs have this season, there is no way in hell they are going to finish anywhere near the bottom 1-2 spots, regardless of who is playing QB unless the defense totally collapses and gives up 30+ points per game. If that’s the case, Mahomes couldn’t save the team!
March 12th, 2023 at 9:21 pm
This team is so inept and dysfunctional that it can’t develop it’s own QB’s. They are always trying to relabel other teams failed handy-downs. Just once would I like for them to develop one on their own and succeed. Unless it’s a first round pick they always turn to castaways, and usually fail at that too. Besides, historically there maybe a few decent FA QB’s that panned out but most were a waste of time and money. If they Pay Mayfield more than $3 million it will be a waste of resources. Especially when there are other QB’s available of have shown decent abilities ala, Cooper Rush, A.J. McCarron, Ben DiNucci, Gardner Minshew etccc.
March 12th, 2023 at 9:53 pm
So excited to be the 4th team he’s played for in the last 18 months!!
March 12th, 2023 at 10:12 pm
I am ready to see Licht sign Baker and give him and the Bucs a chance. Look at what Goff did with the Lions.
But……if Shaun King likes the move, maybe we should rethink. Fat burger wouldn’t know good QB play if he were watching Patrick Mahomes.
March 13th, 2023 at 6:48 am
Make no mistake we are back to being the Tampa Bay Succaneers. And if Trask isn’t the starter this season then they should fire Licht for wasting a 2nd rd pick for him.
March 13th, 2023 at 6:35 pm
I’M ALL FOR BAKER MAYFIELD TO EITHER PUSH TRASK OR BEAT HIM OUT OF STARTING QUARTERBACK JOB……
I HEAR NOW THAT AUSTIN ECKLER WANTS OUT FRO THE L.A.CHARGERS…LET’S GET HIM !..SOMEHOW,SOMEWAY THE BUC’S NEED TO SIGN HIM !..HE IS THE PERFECT 2ND BACK WE NEED TO USE WITH RASHAD WHITE FOR THAT UPGRADED RUNNING GAME & HE CAN CATCH AS WELL AS MOST RECIEVERS,LET’S JUMP ON THIS OPPORTUNITY & SIGN HIM ! WE WON’T FIND A BETTER BACK IN THE DRAFT, I ( IN THE WORDS OF JOE NAMATH “GUARANTEE IT!”