The most talked about topic following the Bucs’ 30-24 overtime loss to the Chiefs on Monday night football was Tampa Bay’s decision not to go for two after Baker Mayfield and the offense drove 71 yards down the field for a touchdown to make it 24-23, then tied the game at 24-24 following the extra point.

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles gave his reasoning for why they didn’t go for the win at the moment, though days later it still doesn’t make much sense. Who hasn’t had a chance to offer up an opinion it yet was quarterback Baker Mayfield.

As we’ve come to know, Mayfield is a gritty, chip-on-the-shoulder, intense-type of player that seems to elevate his game the higher the stakes are. Going for two points in that moment seems like something Mayfield would relish, and because of that, it was intriguing to get his thoughts on whether he lobbied to go for two after scoring.

“I didn’t lobby for it,” Mayfield said. “Hindsight’s 20/20 when you look at it. Had a little momentum there on the long drive. They were gassed at little bit. But hindsight’s 20/20, you’re hoping to win the coin toss.”

Baker Mayfield Does Not Like The Overtime Rules

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

What we learned the most, though, is that Bucs quarterback Mayfield doesn’t prefer the way that overtime is currently operated.

“I’m not a fan of the overtime rules,” Mayfield said. “Obviously it’s gotten us twice now. Overtime rules – not the best.”

Twice this season the Bucs have played in an overtime game and twice they’ve lost without the Bucs’ offense even touching the ball. The first time happened on Thursday Night Football on the road against the Falcons in Week 5, losing 36-30. the second was on Monday night in Kansas City.

Each time Tampa Bay’s defense allowed a touchdown on the opening drive.

Knowing how sensational Patrick Mahomes is during late game situations and in overtime, it made even less sense not to put them away when they could take the ball out of his hands.

It’s understandable why Mayfield wouldn’t like the overtime rules considering it has burned him and Tampa Bay’s offense twice without having a chance to even take the field to try to win the game.

“It just sucks,” Mayfield said. “Not being able to have a chance and go win the game at that point, not knowing that but not getting the first shot at it is really the disappointing part, which is why the coin toss kind of deciding what the game is going to do and the outcome of it, it is what it is.”

Should The NFL Adjust The Overtime Rules?

Bucs OC Liam Coen and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR

The overtime rules have had a couple of modifications throughout the NFL’s history. In 1974, overtime was first introduced with an extra 15-minute quarter where the first team to score in any way would win. That was changed in 2010 where it became the that if the team that got the ball first scored a touchdown on the opening drive the game was over, but if not the other team would have a chance to get the ball.

The rule mostly stayed in place in 2017, but the time of the quarter went from 15 to 10 minutes.

The most recent adjustment in the 2022 offseason does not impact anything in the regular season, but the rule was adjusted as to where even if the team with the ball first scores a touchdown on their opening drive, the other team will still have a chance with the ball and match that touchdown with their own.

At this point, Baker Mayfield might have to wait for a playoff game to get what he wants. With that said, his coach Todd Bowles is on the competition and might be able to get that rule used for the regular season as well. Mayfield also had a viral moment when he tilted his head back in anger when the coin toss did not go his way. He’s made the call for each coin toss is currently 0-2 making it.

“I did heads in Atlanta,” Mayfield said. “I thought I’d switch it up. I think if I go back and talk to somebody, the odds to go for heads again are probably better. Also the rain, the coin stuck in the mud, I think it might have had an extra bounce if it was dry. Conditions, there are a lot that factors into it.”