Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles and QB Baker Mayfield Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The following article was previously published in Scott Reynolds’ SR’s FAB 5 column on July 25 after Reynolds exclusively interviewed former Tampa Bay head coach and Bucs Ring of Honor member Jon Gruden. Reynolds asked Gruden about his assessment of Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles and quarterback Baker Mayfield.

The last time I visited Jon Gruden at the Fired Football Coaches Association headquarters, he was optimistic that the 2017 Bucs under Dirk Koetter would do good things, but it wasn’t meant to be. Gruden is much higher on Todd Bowles, Baker Mayfield and the 2025 Buccaneers.

And why wouldn’t he be? Tampa Bay has won four straight NFC South titles, including the last two with Mayfield at the helm as Tom Brady’s successor.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

“He reminds me of Gannon – a guy we had in Oakland,” Gruden said of Mayfield. “He turned our franchise around. Very similar. He can scramble. He can make plays with his legs. He can will it out of himself, will it out of the team. He has a playing … you know Jeff Garcia was similar. Tough playing style that permeated into the locker room. He has a certain vibe to him I think that a winning football team has to have.”

Jon Gruden Loves Baker “Freaking” Mayfield

Jon Gruden always preferred coaching veteran quarterbacks as opposed to rookies or young ones. Something tells me that he would’ve absolutely loved to coach Baker Mayfield.

“He’s been through a lot,” Gruden said. “The guy’s been kicked out of Cleveland, kicked out of Carolina, kicked out of Los Angeles. He comes here – 8,900 yards in two years. Pewter Report needs to tell people that nobody in the NFL has more touchdowns than Baker “freaking” Mayfield the last two years.

“And then to succeed Tom Brady and win two division titles – the guy’s a … he’s a pain in the ass too, man. You’ve got the coach. You’ve got the quarterback. You’ve got the kicker. You have every reason to have a great season. Man, we’ve got a lot of firepower.”

Jon Gruden Has A Lot Of Respect For Todd Bowles’ Old School Approach

Todd Bowles is much more like Tony Dungy with his calm sideline demeanor than he is like Jon Gruden. In fact, Gruden is more of a firebrand like Bruce Arians, who was Bowles’ mentor. But Gruden, as an offensive guru, has a lot of respect for Bowles, who is a defensive mastermind.

“He lives in my neighborhood, so I know him,” Gruden said. “I don’t know him great. It’s not like we go out golfing every day. But he’s a hard ass – he’s a bad ass. He’s tough. He’s consistent. He’s mentally tough too, man. He handles adversity extremely well. He’s an excellent defensive coach – outstanding. He proved it in the Super Bowl against Pat Mahomes for all those geniuses out there that forgot that. What he did with his defense – Tom Brady deserves and gets a lot of the credit – but that defense was a pain in the ass, man!

“He can mix coverages, disguise blitzes, he can bluff the blitz, he can bring it. He’s a pain in the ass, man. I’m excited to see it. If we can get [Haason] Reddick going, and we can get this pass rush going and healthy again. And these linebackers can come through with these young corners it’ll be exciting.”

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: USA Today

Gruden can’t contain his love for Mayfield’s game and the respect he has for Bowles’ defense.

“Mayfield can get you a lead, and if he has his horses healthy, he can unload on you,” Gruden said. “I did not like going up against Todd Bowles. I have a lot of respect for the way his defenses played. They play hard and they were multiple. And they changed every week. I’m rooting for him. He’s a great guy, too. So I encourage Bucs fans to get a ticket, man. And get on the bandwagon. It’s going to be a fun year.”

You can watch the brief interview clips where Gruden heaps praise on Bowles and Mayfield by clicking the videos or visiting the PewterReportTV YouTube channel and watching them there.