Baker Mayfield “A Steal”
January 31st, 2024
Looking ahead.
So over at The33rdTeam.com, former NFL executive Jeff Diamond decided after a full season (minus the Super Bowl) to look at which moves by NFL teams turned out to be the smartest or the best.
Not all the teams making good moves were playoff teams. Teams like the Bears and slimy Saints put themselves into good positions through making trades and loading up on draft picks.
One team that got an “A” grade for an offseason move last winter was the Bucs. Diamond believes Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht stole Pro Bowl quarterback Baker Mayfield.
This allowed the Bucs to climb within a timeout and a touchdown from an NFC Championship game.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got a steal when they signed Baker Mayfield on a one-year, $4 million contract with an additional $4.5 million in possible incentives. The No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft by the Browns bet on himself and the opportunity in Tampa Bay, and it has paid off with his best season since 2020 when he led Cleveland to the playoffs.
… Mayfield’s 4,044 passing yards (No. 9) and 28 touchdown passes (No. 7) were career highs, and he finished the regular season 12th in passer rating at 94.6.
It will be very interesting to Joe to see how Mayfield fares this fall. Mayfield has a really up-and-down history. Joe doesn’t think it is hyperbole to suggest former Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales saved Mayfield’s career.
With Canales now in Carolina, what now for Mayfield? Will the new Bucs offensive coordinator get as much out of Mayfield?
No, that doesn’t mean the Bucs should not re-sign Mayfield. Absolutely they should. What Joe does not know is which Mayfield the Bucs will get in the first year after Canales.
January 31st, 2024 at 9:06 am
You got the best out of Mayfield on the cheap.
Move on and save that money for other needs.
OL and DL are paramount. DB and RB as well.
Evans and Winfield Jr are top priority.
Draft a QB and develop them. Trask can be the cheap veteran.
No need to waste more money on a guy that can’t beat good teams.
January 31st, 2024 at 9:08 am
Don’t think BM will be ego driven to insist on $40Mil + per year. Most people can get by on $25 to $30 mil a year. Seems like he is wise enough to want to have quality players around him. Can’t pay everyone crazy salaries. Guess we will find out.
January 31st, 2024 at 9:09 am
Of course it was a still, that´s obvious…
But that´s not the correct question to make today, the correct one is how much should the Bucs pay him,…
SO we need to see more consistency?
Is Mike Evans gonna stay?
What´s gonna happen with Jensen, Gage Barret?
Is there enough salary cap?
Those are the interesting questions, at least to me.
Again I would like BM back, but not at any cost……
January 31st, 2024 at 9:14 am
I hope baker lands on the conclusion that less money for him means more money for good players which means he plays better which leads to more money for him. The classic Tom Brady approach
January 31st, 2024 at 9:14 am
Go Bucs
January 31st, 2024 at 9:14 am
*Steal
January 31st, 2024 at 9:17 am
Mayfield made Canales career. Canales didn’t save anything. Canales forced runs on 1st downs and 3rd and long passing situations.
Having a full off-season saved Mayfield. Canales was a beneficiary of Evans, Godwin, White… and Mayfield. And their talent.
Canales, by reports from inside the locker room, didn’t even understand his own running scheme and implemented it badly.
Imagine how many yards this offense would have had if it didn’t have Canales wasting 1-2 downs of every series for 12-14 games this season?
January 31st, 2024 at 9:23 am
This allowed the Bucs to climb within a timeout and a touchdown from an NFC Championship game.
***
Pretty sure you’re just doing this to troll us now.
January 31st, 2024 at 9:25 am
The year of the steal is over. Baker is not coming back here as a cheap QB.
I still think he will go elsewhere if some other team has a bigger bank truck than the Bucs have.
Time to find something else to dote upon, next season will be a horse of a different color.
January 31st, 2024 at 9:30 am
Here is the predicament – Mayfield is going to the pro bowl. He will want to cash in. You pay Mayfield you lose important players that got him to the playoffs. Players that play consistently well. You get a QB that plays well sometimes in return. Might be worse or better with a new OC. I would go with a rookie or new Veteran QB and keep the talent that got you to the playoffs. Mayfield played like crap the last two games of the season when everything was on the line. I say let him walk.
January 31st, 2024 at 9:31 am
Hearing rumors up here, Alex van Pelt looks like a lock!! Mayfield 3yrs/100 Million…They produced a very effective year together in Cleveland . Heard Van Pelt and Baker got along real well!! Go Bucs!!
January 31st, 2024 at 9:35 am
I’d argue that Baker made Canales. He’d run up the middle twice then have Baker bail him out on 3rd and long.
January 31st, 2024 at 9:44 am
What if Canales held Mayfield back?
Perhaps Mayfield *made* Canales, and not the other way around?
I’m in the camp of an upgrade on the O side of the ball, top to bottom.
Oh, AND ST’s.
January 31st, 2024 at 9:46 am
Daniel Jones the most overpaid QB in NFL. The G mans front office and head coach are brain dead. Minnesota probably won’t resign Kirk Cousins unless he drops his price drastically. Cousins is overpaid not as much as Daniels. Mayfield is better than Daniels and just as good as Cousins plus seems more motivated. That being said the Bucs should sign him for 2 or 3 years average between 25-30 mil. Keeping that in mind they still have Evans and Winfied to sign thats going to cost somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 to 45 mil for both. With all these hugh contracts plus all the other big contracts on the roster anything short of the superbowl next year is almost inexcusable.
January 31st, 2024 at 9:58 am
@Joseph C Simmons, agreed. He could/should say “This allowed the Bucs to climb within 1:33 and a bad INT from an NFC Championship game.”
January 31st, 2024 at 10:00 am
Mayfield’s avg annual salary won’t be the sticking point, Mayfield will want guaranteed money. The team that shells that out will win his services. I bet he would take $25 million per year if it’s fully guaranteed…that’s $75 million in the bank. That’s the main focus for these guys because they understand it’s a business and there’s the risk of injuries. Having a $50 million salary in the last year of a contract is meaningless. It props up the avg annual amount so cosmetically it sounds big but the guarantees are what the players view as absolute money in the bank.
January 31st, 2024 at 10:10 am
I’ve never seen a QB get as lucky as Baker did this year with defenses dropping easy INTs. It was nearly every game, and some games there were as many as 3 or 4 dropped. And, I’m not talking about passes going off their fingertips. Many of them hit defenders square in the chest or hands.
I think the directive for Canales was to limit Baker’s giveaways this season. Statistically, he kind of succeeded. Baker only threw 10 INTs, but fumbled 9 times. And if even half of those dropped INTs weren’t dropped, his stats would be pretty woeful. Right in line with his previous seasons.
January 31st, 2024 at 10:20 am
I’d be surprised if Baker and the Bucs can’t come to an agreement. But it surprised me that Canales flew out of here.
January 31st, 2024 at 10:32 am
I do not expect Mayfield to have as good a year in 24 as he did in 23. Canales’ absence is a large part of this. I also believe, as others have pointed out, that much of Baker’s luck this year is unlikely to repeat. But you never know; he could continue to improve. He may have reached his peak ability but probably not all the way. We still need a consistent third receiver. Will it be Gage, or will Palmer take that next step? I’m hoping both can be there for us.
January 31st, 2024 at 11:04 am
The Bucs were one head coach away from
Playing in the NFC championship.
January 31st, 2024 at 11:04 am
Mayfield would be best to move on and take the Raiders QB position. His personality fits perfect with Raider land, they have good offensive weapons as well as a better offensive line. Nevada has no income tax, all the flash and glitter to make extra promotion dollars. Would guarantee Raider Nation would embrace Mayfield.
It sounds like TB fans would be happy giving Trask a chance.
January 31st, 2024 at 11:09 am
As a quarterback, the check down process takes seconds to develop and process. With Canaleses offense there usually was someone down the field that was open. Baker did a pretty good job this year but there were times this year that he forced throws into tight coverages(see his last interception in Detroit). You also have to have time for the play to develop. That’s where the offensive line comes in, blocking schemes and protection. We had some break-downs this year so, do we blame the actual players on the line or the coaching. We just lost two coaches from the offensive side of the ball and I am not remotely disappointed. With a fresh approach and maybe a new center we can achieve some consistency. No knock on Hainsey but if there is a better option, so be it. He can be a capable back-up or maybe with new coaches a better option or philosophy might do the trick.
January 31st, 2024 at 11:10 am
Sure thing Mayfield was a steal. Hope they keep him at least for next year, I am anxious to see how good he is in year two. I am pretty sure the Bucs Organization want over pay him but, they will make a reasonable offer. The big question so many others and myself are asking , who’s gonna be the OC. Bowles may not have been one of the top 10 coaches this pass year but he’s no dummy either. He and Licht pull off a decent move last season with Mayfield and Canales
January 31st, 2024 at 11:10 am
3 years,100 million
January 31st, 2024 at 11:12 am
Maybe baker and the offense as a whole helped Dave’s career, all I see is Dave saved bakers career, well baker and the offense helped him further his career. Offense will be fine with Dave watch and see
January 31st, 2024 at 11:21 am
’76: “Mayfield played like crap the last two games of the season when everything was on the line. I say let him walk. ”
What BS! I stumbled into Buc-land back in “78. After seeing the abysmal ineptitude of those Buc years and then those years of Shiano and the rest of Bozos as they searched for a QB to bail them out. We have one that bailed this team in half the games they won and ’76 and others on this site makes me sick.
January 31st, 2024 at 11:24 am
This Dave saved Mayfields career is taken out of proportion I mean Mayfield was on the field not Dave just wild hahaha
January 31st, 2024 at 11:25 am
This is not a Playstation game Mayfield was on the field not davd this Dave saved Mayfields career is taken so out of proportion its wild the bucs team as a while had alot to do with propelling Dave to where he is now.
January 31st, 2024 at 11:31 am
back where we started, here we go round again…….
sign the fabulous baker boy……3 years 100 mil…
and let’s move on to a “how much we all hate dave cantalones thread” 🙂
January 31st, 2024 at 11:35 am
Dear Baker Haters,
Baker will sign with the Bucs on a team-friendly contract, something in the area of 3 years @ $35M a year with $50M guaranteed. And in today’s market that’s a steal! He’s already said that he wants to return to the Bucs, as did Evans. And Evans even said that if he returns to the Bucs that he wants Baker throwing to him.
What does that say for the player’s trust in Baker? And Baker feels the same about them!
The deal will be done if Licht wants it done no matter what the Baker Haters say.
Check out the Raven’s web sites and see what they’re saying about their $52M/year QB, lol. And check out what the Brown’s web sites are saying about their $50M plus QB Deshaun Watson.
GET BAKER O-LINE HELP AND SEE WHAT GOOD THINGS HAPPEN.
January 31st, 2024 at 11:39 am
ben johnson stayed…
dave cantalones left and is trying to leave our cupboard barren…
remember that weeping willow schtick at the podium…?
joe should do a poll and see what we all think of what “in division traitor” cantalones did…
he tried to use our bucs and bowles as a short stay hotel
January 31st, 2024 at 11:39 am
“I’ve never seen a QB get as lucky as Baker did this year with defenses dropping easy INTs.”
I only remember one game (Panthers) where he had like 2-3. Don’t recall ever thinking he had a lot of dropped INT’s in general though. That was the only game i remember multiple.
I do vividly remember we had a record for dropped passes vs the Eagles for a playoff game, by our WRs and not the defense.
Googling around it’s a hard stat to find. Mahommes supposedly had 16 dropped INT’s this year for one reference point. I don’t think Baker had that many going off my memory. I’d guess like 8-10 maybe. But without the data it’s a dumb pointless debate
January 31st, 2024 at 11:48 am
‘Will the new Bucs offensive coordinator get as much out of Mayfield?’
At this point it is looking as though the new Bucs offensive coordinator will be whoever will accept the job and have very little OC experience which in turn will likely cause Mayfield’s growth to stall for as long as it takes for the OC to figure out the job, If he ever does!
January 31st, 2024 at 11:51 am
Mayfield’s performances got Freddie Kitchens promoted to HC, Kevin Stefanski a coach of the year award, revitalized McVays career, and Canales a HC gig. The Browns, Panthers, and to a lesser extent the Rams, made a mistake letting Mayfield go. I hope the Bucs don’t make a similar mistake.
January 31st, 2024 at 11:54 am
“Joe doesn’t think it is hyperbole to suggest former Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales saved Mayfield’s career.”
I don’t think it’s hyperbole to suggest it, but I also think it’s very possible that Baker simply also did well regardless, and we will learn a lot of truths about Canales, Baker, & Bryce Young next year.
In Seattle, Geno Smith had a top 10 run game in his great season from 2022, on top of proven weapons and a solid D.
Baker did not have a run game most this season. I didn’t see an offense that schemed him easy stats. The Eagles game was beautiful in terms of the YAC/etc.
In general we were about average in YAC per catch. 49ers were #1 and typically are up there because of their offensive scheme. Same with Dolphins / Chiefs.
It was a big improvement over 2022 when were bottom 5 though, which seems reflective of the scheme change but probaby mostly due to a bunch of rashaad white plays that he made by himself by juking dudes vs being schemed open.
January 31st, 2024 at 11:57 am
Mayfield has definitely earned a contract, but it isn’t as simple as the dollar amount. The Bucs are fortunate that both Mr. and Mrs. Mayfield like Tampa and have expressed a desire to return. That being said, Mike Evans and Baker are kind of a package deal. Mike has already said if he comes back, he wants Mayfield as a QB and Mayfield has said similar things. So both will have to be signed. Chances are if one goes, they both go.
I expect Winfield to be franchise tagged and some others like Barrett, Davis, Gage, Neal, D. White, Jensen and Edmonds to be outright released, which will free up some more cap room. 50/50 on whether Godwin will be traded or released, but expect to see a WR drafted. Still need an edge rusher, safety, cornerback, linebacker, o-line and a running back. Another decent draft will help address those needs as will possible free agent signings.
Canales leaving may be a blessing in disguise, as it took a long time for the offense to come together and his play calling all year long was inconsistent, unless you count runs up the middle. Personally, I would like to see Alex Van Pelt (AVP) as the new OC especially if Bowles does his usual let the OC handle the offense. Rather have experience than a first-timer. Being run-oriented he should work well with Bowles. AVP having knowledge of Mayfield is a plus.
If that happens, I hope Licht makes two phone calls this offseason to Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb (who reportedly the Browns plan to release) and ask each of them what it would take for them to move to Florida and join the Bucs. Either would be a nice addition to the backfield and combined with White would offer many options with neither having to carry a heavy workload.
Just my 2 cents.
January 31st, 2024 at 12:01 pm
ABSOLUTELY NOT ONE-SIDED
Yes, the Bucs got a QB on the cheap … but this was a CALCULATED RISK by Baker. Evans is a QB Kingmaker. Every single QB that throws to Evans has record/award winning years. Baker may have taken a little less to come to the Bucs but he did it knowing his stats would be remarkable as a result.
January 31st, 2024 at 12:08 pm
Realistic-Optimistic…and if half the receiver dropped passes were caught you get more than that back. Or if the defenses stopped the opposing team half again more times? Or if TB defense made half interceptions they dropped. That kind of reasoning considering only potential bad that didn’t happen is just silly.
January 31st, 2024 at 12:10 pm
Having read many of the posts here on JoeBucsFan I think I have it figured out.
*Baker is a bum and if he won’t sign for $10MM let him walk…AND
*Baker is the answer and he should be paid $40Mm/year…AND
*Baker should take a discount so other players can be paid top dollar…AND
*Baker has earned a big contract, pay the man…AND
*Baker was only good because of the OC…AND
*Thank G-d the OC is gone, he was holding Baker back…AND…AND…AND
I love being a sports fan!
I genuinely think the decision making process is simple for the Bucs (not the fans). I see three logical approaches.
1. If they think this was an anomaly, or OC dependent, etc, offer what you think that’s worth to you and if Baker doesn’t accept that, let him walk.
2. If you think he can be a short-term answer only, offer what you think that’s worth to you. If Baker doesn’t accept that, either franchise tag him at $35-$36MM for next year or if that is too much, let him walk.
3. If you think at age 29 he can be a long term answer, negotiate a deal BOTH can accept. HINT – this will not be a deal where Baker gets paid little up front with no back end guarantees, that will not fly. But you could structure it where the rise in dollars aligns with the expected rise in cap space.
January 31st, 2024 at 12:12 pm
sdm5821 Says:
If that happens, I hope Licht makes two phone calls this offseason to Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb (who reportedly the Browns plan to release) and ask each of them what it would take for them to move to Florida and join the Bucs.
……………………………………………………………………………………..
My thoughts too, Chubb and Baker are real tight. Still think Baker would be better off as a Raider, maybe Evans would follow. That would be deadly, Evans and Adams
January 31st, 2024 at 12:12 pm
Bucs are one of the cheapest teams in the NFL. Our head coach is in the top 3 or 4 as being the cheapest paid coach. Got Baker cheap. We are always looking for bargains. and that’s what we get. Can’t win no championship like that sonny. PAY DA MAN!!
January 31st, 2024 at 12:13 pm
Baker was clearly a steal in 2023. We’ll have to see how this plays out though. I hope baker is the answer for the next 2 – 3 years at least. If not, the longer term opportunity cost will outweigh the thrill of going 9-8.
And yes, we were 8 points from winning our last game, but the guy who folded will be back.
January 31st, 2024 at 12:21 pm
Ive said it before “my posts never get posted” but will say it again. Mayfield saved his own career. The dude is a walk on Heisman trophy winner and knew how to sling the rock way before he met Canales. I believe he just matured along the way, and of course had Mike Evans to throw too. If anything, Canales should thank Mayfield for the H.C. job.
January 31st, 2024 at 12:53 pm
Baker is Fitzmagic 2.0.
January 31st, 2024 at 1:23 pm
“Every single QB that throws to Evans has record/award winning years.”
lol Josh Freeman, Mike Glennon, Jameis Winston, & Ryan Fitzpatrick never came close to having a year like 2023 Baker Mayfield.
So nah.
January 31st, 2024 at 1:29 pm
Well if the Bucs are so cheap how did they get into this cap situation? I think fans paying attention know the only way Baker continues to be good in Tampa is if he’s surrounded with good talent and the Bucs have a better WR situation than most teams in the league( assuming ME is back for 2024). If the NFL had no cap to concern with WHO CARES HOW MUCH THE GLAZERS SPEND!
January 31st, 2024 at 1:31 pm
Since76 says have u ever said 1 positive thing ever u still live in 1976 get with the times u & that jackass realistic optimistic need to change u r post names cause u r the enemies on this site plz get lost
January 31st, 2024 at 1:34 pm
So how does that work they had 28 other qb’sto pick for the pro bowl but took mayfield then people get on this site rag the guy so everybody else is wrong & u haters r rite I don’t think so
January 31st, 2024 at 1:45 pm
Good Baker is worth it. Those games where he threw for 200 yards, there were at least 3 or 4 of them, makes me think that you can’t put all of your faith in him.
He does throw dimes in the windows and seams. His long ball isn’t consistant.
The scrambles are fine but the double clutching and taking sacks is a little concerning.
Ability to play through injuries is very good. Good leadership and toughness.
He is a good quarterback now, not great and the question is will he get better after he gets his money.
I think the Bucs need him but there have been too many guys likeVea, Dean, Davis, White and now Godwin that havn’t played up to their contracts. These second deals make me nervous.
January 31st, 2024 at 1:50 pm
Please don’t throw money at old running backs. So many young backs that you have to rotate with. Putting large money into a single back isn’t smart. You have a bruiser and a speedster with some muscle on him.
The Bucs have neither. I would like to see them use White like the Niners use Debo Samuel. Get creative with him. He can run patterns like WR, is tall and has great hands. He just doesn’t cut it as a back. To slow after the handoff and too hesitant to accelerate.
As a receiver, he has moves that make the first guy miss, nearly every catch. Utilize that talent and make him the #3 WR after you get your backs in the later rounds of the draft. No more lightweights either.
January 31st, 2024 at 2:27 pm
@Since 76, the last two games of the season were the two playoff games. Remember that was aftwr he healed from theseason that occured during the 2nd to last game of the regular season. Seems like you intentionally focus on the parts you want to emphasize. But since we’re doing that, Baker’s last two games were really good, and they were in the playoffs where it counted most.
January 31st, 2024 at 2:37 pm
Baker is the best Bucs QB I’ve seen not named Tom Brady. Pay the man.
January 31st, 2024 at 2:38 pm
All the complaining about Mayfield. What veteran QB is out there? Cousins is going to command 40-50 mil per year and some dummy will pay it. You can say all you want but Baker played his ass off and took a beating for this team. All you clowns can talk about is Kyle Trask or some other retread QB. Tampa Bay has a very football ignorant fan base. You down this team with every word. They were predicted to win 4 games and came within a touchdown of going to the NFC championship game. You guys tried to run Brady out on a rail. Support your home team and in the spring support the Rays as well. We have it so good here in Tampa Bay. Quite bellyaching already
January 31st, 2024 at 2:41 pm
Bakersbucs, I agree. This negativity sucks a big D.
January 31st, 2024 at 2:45 pm
what if:
canales signed in carolina not only for the money, but because tepper said he would make a legit run at mayfield and mike evans, while keeping bryce young in the lab to learn and develop behind baker for a couple years…
because they legitimately need a qb right now…
and more so…
because last year they had a fire sale and got rid of dj moore and robbie anderson – so they need a mike evans no matter how you slice it…
could tepper be going all in on mayfield and evans ???
January 31st, 2024 at 2:58 pm
For any player, you have to look at what the results are, and if that is up to expectation. Baker had good games and bad games. Same for every other player. Baker exceeded all expectations. Not something you can say about every other player, some but certainly not all. Sometimes, you get help, both good and bad. For example, Baker’s first INT vs the Lions was all on ME, but it goes on Baker’s stats.
I looked at the 20 current NFL QBs with at least 2 post season starts. Baker ranks 3rd in YPG, just ahead of Mahomes and Prescott. In TD% he ranks 2nd, Mahomes is 4th. In Rating he is 5th, right behind Stafford and just ahead of Rogers.
His career has been up and down, but when he gets to the dance, he has played very well. Yes, he needs to be more consistent, but again, same for every player.
I would like to see them work out a 3-4 year deal at the going rate for QBs, structured to allow the Bucs to keep good talent and pay Baker what he has earned.
January 31st, 2024 at 3:06 pm
I think it’s hard to say how much was Canales and how much was just growing up.
January 31st, 2024 at 3:14 pm
Yeah he has an up and down history. Up when he’s healthy and has good weapons and coaching, down when he doesn’t. Go figure.
It’s like “Belichick sucks since Brady left”. Year one after Brady he had Cam Newton. He sucked. Year 2, he had rookie Mac Jones and McDaniels as OC and they made the playoffs. The next 2 years were Mac Jones/Zappe tandem to see who sucked least. Sure, he picks the players and coaching staff but from a strictly coaching standpoint, he’s still one of the best just by looking at how good and consistent their defense is without “superstars”. Oh and they had a winning record the year Brady blew out his knee and turned to Matt Cassell, finished 11-5 but missed the playoffs. You need good players AND good coaches. Saying one sucks when he doesn’t have the other is nuts.
January 31st, 2024 at 3:30 pm
Unless you are drafting the next CJ Stroud…you sign Mayfield .
Mayfield holds all the cards. If we tag him it gives another year to evaluate him.
I’m ok with that. But he’s not taking 2-3 yr deals. He has no reason too.
The market will pay him much more. He just threw for over 600 yards in 2 playoff games. SMDH.
You need a QB to compete in today’s NFL. Period.
January 31st, 2024 at 3:32 pm
Gardner Minshew was one game over .500 @ 7-6 and one play/dropped pass short of taking the Colts to the playoffs after a 2-2 start. At 7 yards from a touchdown it was a lot closer than the one timeout/ one TD fantasy that’s being put out there of the Bucs making a Conference Championship game.
As far as production he was just a shade less than one of Canales’ other resurrections Geno Smith with 4 fewer starts.
Minshew made 3.5 million w/ maybe a few perks is 2023 and is a Free Agent in 2024. Doubt he will be looking for a 10x increase next year. Can’t see how people are saying Mayfield will be signed for 30-40 million/ year but then there is always one sucker out there. Unfortunately Cleveland is not going to be in the market for a QB unless it’s a back up.
January 31st, 2024 at 4:07 pm
D Cone Says:
January 31st, 2024 at 3:32 pm
Gardner Minshew
……………………………………….
Yeah, you go ahead with that one. LOL
January 31st, 2024 at 4:12 pm
that’s top 10. period. sign him to 3 year deal. draft another qb in 3rd.
January 31st, 2024 at 4:22 pm
The guy is about to be on his 9th offensive coordinator… honestly feel bad for him.
Hard to be successful with that much inconsistency.
January 31st, 2024 at 4:43 pm
I’m kind of a Baker fan, it don’t believe it is in his best interest to demand too much money. If I was him, I would ask for 2-3 years of AAV around $30-32M. The way for QBs to get paid is to hit free agency as many times as possible. Look for a contract similar to what cousins got in MN the first time and do a short length. Bet on yourself again and if you play well you will hit FA again OR get extended for more. Geno Smiths or Cousins contract should be the model here.
January 31st, 2024 at 6:11 pm
Critmark … ‘His career has been up and down, but when he gets to the dance, he has played very well.’
Agree that Baker has played very well once he gets to the playoffs, BUT … the trick is GETTING TO THE DANCE.
He’s been to the playoffs TWICE. In 2020 (when Browns went 11-5), he beat the Steelers 48-37 but lost to the Chiefs 22-17. And of course in 2023 (when our Bucs went 9-8), he beat the Eagles 32-9 but lost to the Lions 31-23. So in his 6-year career, as a starting QB, he’s made the playoffs twice and is 2-2 at the dance.
So what’s the common denominator? Actually there seem to be TWO: (1) Both the 2020 Browns & the 2023 Bucs were fairly solid teams, that surrounded Baker with some quality offensive talent (especially receivers); and (2) Both teams had average to easy schedules, and did very well against teams with losing records (not so well against teams with winning records).
Oh BTW, Baker’s OC in 2020? Alex Van Pelt. They were loaded with ‘stars’ (Karheem Hunt, Nick Chubb, Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham Jr, David Njoku etc) and they ran it (495 times) almost as much as they passed it (501 attempts). Kinda tells me that Mayfield had a good supporting cast, and was used by Van Pelt pretty much as a game manager (only threw for 62.8% BUT only threw 8 INTs). BTW, the 16 teams they played included 6 teams with winning records, 9 teams with losing records, and one break-even team.
January 31st, 2024 at 6:31 pm
Hard to believe there are not at least five HOF quarterbacks produced each year in the US. We spend what?… billions, if not trillions of dollars on football at every level each year – grade school to college to pros. Pretty poor return. Here we are scrapping around for retread QBs.
Imagine if MBA degrees only produced one or two business CEOs year.
January 31st, 2024 at 6:55 pm
What does Baker have to do to prove to you wanna b coach morons that he’s a pretty good QB that deserves a decent contract. 30-35 million 3 year 50 million guaranteed. And also a im sick of hearing about Tom Brady. People the man was good but he’s gone. Long gone. I’m not saying that Baker is worse or better than Tom terrific. But he was better this year than Tom was last year. Baker has been thru so many coaches and OCs. I’d kinda like to see what the man could do if he had the same coach/OC for 2-3 years in a row. He’s never had that luxury. And maybe he’s a friggin bust but I don’t believe he’s a busy. So what’s the problem morons, afraid to see if he mite be good enough to get the job done.
January 31st, 2024 at 7:24 pm
It’s not a dumb pointless debate, because the data is available in the form of game replays and All-22.
There were 5 games where the defense dropped multiple INTs from Baker (BUF, SF, CAR1, JAX, CAR2). I counted 22 dropped INTs this season, and I’ve included the timestamps below so you can verify. And, to be clear, I did not count every PBU. I only counted passes that the defender could/should have easily caught. There were several other passes where the pass catcher bailed him out, or the defender would have had to make a very athletic play. I didn’t count those.
Here are all of the dropped INTs and when they occured:
Week 1 MIN
* 1st qtr 6:29
Week 2 CHI
* 1st qtr 14:35
Week 3 PHI
* 1st qtr 12:30
Week 4 NO
* 1st qtr 3:46
Week 6 DET
* 2nd qtr 7:40
Week 8 BUF
* 2nd qtr 7:51
* 4th qtr 13:17
* 4th qtr 2:56
Week 11 SF
* 1st qtr 12:05
* 3rd qtr 7:12
* 4th qtr 6:49
Week 13 CAR
* 3rd qtr 10:10
* 4th qtr 3:45
Week 14 ATL
* 4th qtr 2:13
Week 16 JAX
* 2nd qtr 13:45
* 2nd qtr 4:56
* 2nd qtr 4:50
* 3rd qtr 3:59
Week 17 NO
* 2nd qtr 1:53
Week 18 CAR
* 1st qtr 13:22
* 1st qtr 11:58
* 2nd qtr 2:13
January 31st, 2024 at 7:25 pm
Yes, I understand that all QBs deal with some dropped INTs, but 22 in one season is a lot. Super lucky IMO.
January 31st, 2024 at 7:25 pm
Canales did not save anything. Bakef gave Canoles generational wealth. A healthy Baker just returned to 2020 but better. Baker is only down when he is injured. A healthy Baker plays consistently at a high level.
January 31st, 2024 at 7:33 pm
Anybody that understands football knows that INTs are way more impactful than dropped passes. If you want to count dropped TDs, ok, lets go there. Bucs pass catchers dropped 3 TDs this season (4 if you stretch the truth).
Lets say we add those to Baker’s totals. Now he’s up to 31-32 TDs for the season. If we only add half of his dropped INTs he’s up to 21 INTs for the season. Yikes. A 32-21 TD-INT ratio is approaching Winston territory. Plus, if all those INTs actually materialized, there would be a lot more lost drives. Definitely not enough to put up 32 TDs.
Yes this is a lot of conjecture, but those passes were actually thrown. They actually hit defenders in the hands. We (Bucs fans) were lucky they weren’t picked off.
January 31st, 2024 at 7:51 pm
Why do I bring all this up? Because good talent evaluators are not basing their decisions solely on the 10,000 foot view (28 TDs, 10 INTs, 4000 yards). A good personnel department is digging into the tape, and all those bad passes are on the tape.
January 31st, 2024 at 8:21 pm
Canales didn’t make Baker. Baker made Canales.
January 31st, 2024 at 9:02 pm
Both Penix and Nix stinking it up in the Senior Bowl practice sessions, so they will probably drop down to 2nd round….. Buyer beware.
January 31st, 2024 at 9:19 pm
With a few exceptions, seems like Baker should move on. What was Canales’ number, didn’t see him taking a snap and getting his ass buried by a 320 lb lineman, not him not you out there. Baker gave you more QB than most of you deserve. He got bent over in Cleveland and they still haven’t won a playoff game since. He could take Pittsburgh, Denver, Atlanta, Washington, Seattle, Chicago or Las Vegas to the playoffs. Go get Penix, with that OL he’ll give you 6 games then what?
Instead he actually WANTS to be there in spite of you sorry ass naysayers. The End
January 31st, 2024 at 10:10 pm
Aww fanbois so upset we don’t buy into their Baker’s the best. He barely beat out a non starting “rookie” with the help of the head coach and that 28 tds and 10 ints should’ve been 32tds 22 ints. He played just as poorly as he did great. If he was more consistently good our wins would’ve been more and his stats would’ve been pretty amazing. I wouldn’t be upset at him coming back on a 3yr 8
$75 mill contract but they better fix the middle of that line. I wouldn’t be unhappy if he went somewhere else either because the benefit would be not seeing so much of the fanbois male cheerleader pep squad up here so much. They’ve surely dragged the quality of this board down a lot.
February 1st, 2024 at 12:16 am
Davidbig BUCS fan mya** must actually be a closet Carolina fan or an absolute idiot. He sounds a like the percentage of Browns fans that didn’t like Baker…you know the ones that got to watch a playoff game for the first time in 29 years because of Baker..they had a week this year to get over their team being shelled week one after paying 4or 5 QBs?(lost count/lol) what did the Browns pay for QBs the last 2 years? 120mil?…Well at least they got to see Baker play in the divisional round again BUT not in a Browns uniform! ROFL!
Seems like they should’ve just paid Baker the 30 mil/year…at least they’d have saved paying 3 other QBs and would’ve had more $ and another playoff win to show for it. Reminds me of Patriots fans saying Brady was “too old” lolol…got what they paid for…failure. Carolina lost a net 5 more games in just 6 games
after ditching Mayfield and the Rams and Tampa both improved with Mayfield.
February 1st, 2024 at 12:18 am
Kyle Trask still here. Let’s see what happens.
February 1st, 2024 at 5:06 am
Baker Mayfield has cash. He’ll want the respect of receiving starting NFL QB compensation. Having said that, Mayfield is not motivated by money.
He craves the professional success and recognition he felt was wrongfully denied him as a *1 pick by circumstances. Baker Mayfield wants nothing more than to become a HOF QB to justify his #1 pick. He’ll do anything for that.
Licht knows this. At least he should if he has a team shrink.
February 1st, 2024 at 6:27 am
A steal???? This was highway robery! This was more of a steal than robbing the National Treasury of all its gold and then them paying you a trillion dollars on top of it!
February 1st, 2024 at 9:10 am
Other than running a far easier to understand West Coast offense, Canales brought nothing new to the table except for enthusiasm and positivity. Disciples of the West Coast offense are a dime a dozen these days and I believe Mayfield (and the rest of the team) can look just as good, if not better, with another OC using that scheme. Canales was a guy in the right place at the right time and I doubt his future is great considering the ownership and its track record with the Panthers.
February 1st, 2024 at 1:34 pm
Baker was a steal. Canales didn’t save Baker’s career, but acted more like guardrails to keep in on the main road. If Baker is willing to accept around 30m/year on a 3 year contract, or thereabouts, then I say we keep him. We shouldn’t pay him 40m/year, because like someone else mentioned in this thread, we have big needs on both the OL and DL. Winfield is a keeper. Evans would be nice to have around, but it depends on his asking price. Maybe give him a long-term contract at 20m/year until he retires. Bowles needs to go. Revamp the entire coaching staff. Go Bucs.
February 1st, 2024 at 1:55 pm
Real optimistic. Thank you bro for sharing that because at time I would bring it up people called it hate . And in the 49ers game it was 4 drops and 1 pick which means he would threw 5 picks that game!!