Baker Mayfield made his first career Pro Bowl appearance last weekend, but his attention will now turn to his impending free agency. A deal allowing him to remain with the Buccaneers is still very much in play, and the veteran signal-caller recently spoke about where things stand on that front. 
Mayfield enjoyed a strong campaign in 2023 with Dave Canales operating as an offensive coordinator for the first time in his career. The latter parlayed that into the Panthers’ head coaching position, leaving Mayfield in line for yet another new face to work with in terms of coordinators. Tampa Bay tapped Liam Coen, however, allowing he and Mayfield to reunite after their brief time together with the Rams in 2022.
“It’s important to me,” Mayfield said of the coordinator move, via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. “I’ve had so many offensive coordinators to this point, to me it’s, ‘Okay if I do come back, let’s keep the continuity for the other guys, build on what we’ve already grown from and go from there.’”
Keeping Canales in place no doubt would have been a welcomed development for Mayfield, but the 28-year-old endorsed bringing on Coen to replace him. As SI’s Albert Breer notes, the Buccaneers were receptive to the vote of confidence Coen received before hiring him for his second NFL OC stint (and first which will involve calling plays). Similarities to Canales’ scheme could help ensure a smooth transition and help the chances of Mayfield repeating his Tampa Bay success in 2024.
A mutual interest exists for a new Bucs deal, but Mayfield and his camp have yet to take part in serious negotiations on a contract. The franchise tag could also be in play, locking the former No. 1 pick into a 2024 salary of roughly $36MM or at least buying extra time to hammer out a long-term pact. The presence of not only a familiar OC in Coen, but also fellow pending free agent Mike Evans is a key factor for Mayfield as he weighs his options, however.
“I would love to be back with [Evans], so there’s a lot of contingencies that go in that” Mayfield added. “Obviously, getting an OC, that helps. That’s Step 1. And [Evans] sees that so we can talk to him about it and see his thoughts. But we both have to do what’s best for us.”
Evans earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2023, proving himself to still be a durable and consistent producer with a 79-1,255-13 statline. The 30-year-old is projected to be one of the top available wideouts in this year’s free agent class, and the Buccaneers also need new contracts for the likes of linebacker Lavonte David and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. Retaining Mayfield will still be a top priority, though, and having an OC whose arrival he co-signed is another indication that a new deal should be expected at some point in the near future.
Dave Canales has had great impact on several QBs now. You can see why Carolina waned him with their young QB. Russell Wilson. Geno Smith and now Baker has shown growth while working with Dave.
Baker will want top 10 money and he’s not a top 10 QB. Simple as that.
The Band Arty, The Band!!!
We need the Band back together
The problem is, Mayfield needs to slow down the fast ball sometimes, he throws too hard
Mike Evans is getting older and sometimes has off games
He was up and down all year
If the Bucs can get a good running in free agency and White continues to progress and Mayfield improves some more and Evan for a one year deal with option, the Bucs can compete again
Didn’t Mike Evans say he wanted to get paid? He is finally up for a new contract, plus this is probably his last chance for a big long term contract when considering his age.
Having completed the final season of the five-year, $16.5 million AAV contract he signed with Tampa Bay in 2018, Evans is now set to enter free agency in March. The Buccaneers and Evans haggled over an extension for two years but were not able to reach a compromise.
Evans is expected to earn an annual salary of somewhere between $25-$30 million in 2024 according to sources.
Bucs need to draft Evans replacement or pay the man.
Except this past season, he was…..however we haven’t seen any of his demands yet and he does desire Mike back so I’m not even sure this statement is accurate.
I don’t think that Baker is top ten….
I also don’t think that Watson, Murray, Wilson, and Jones are top 10 either.
I also think Baker is better than Zack Wilson, Taylor Heinicke, Jimmy G, Jamies Winston, Mack Jones, Kenny Pickett, and Trey Lance — according to OTC they are all on better contracts then Baker .
I think Mike needs to be the priority. What teams are realistically handing Baker the keys? Bucs don’t have a rookie to threaten benching him for and most other teams do or will be in position.
Evans has lots of suitors, if he comes back you get Baker and some others back. If he leaves you blow it up.