was it Bowles or was it Licht's and Arian's love affair with the Mayfield?
This is an example (there are others) of how it was reported by Ira Kaufman and I think Stroud
"Think back to the winter of 2023. Bowles, after his first head coaching season with the Bucs, had an 8-9 record despite winning the NFC South. Legendary quarterback Tom Brady had retired. As the Sage of Tampa Bay sports, Ira Kaufman, said on his podcast, the Bucs were “peering into the abyss” without a quarterback.
Bowles was on the hot seat given significant fan dissatisfaction and the history of Team Glazer after one of their coaches has back-to-back losing seasons.
At quarterback, Bowles would have untested Kyle Trask (who Bowles didn’t draft) and someone else. That someone else happened to be Mayfield.
Mayfield had come off four starts with the Rams. But partly because of how he left Cleveland (unwanted) and Carolina (mutual agreement to part ways), teams were wary. Aside from the Bucs, only two teams were interested in Mayfield and both (Rams, Crows) only wanted him as a backup.
The Bucs, with an opening at quarterback and a coach desperate for wins, had a starting gig available. Bowles hounded Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to sign Mayfield.
There are other similar articles.
Trask is the plan before Bowles is the HC, right?
say he's too involved on the offensive side of the ball decisions.
One of the reason Bowles probably got the extension was the challenge of gettign good coaches to come here. I agree that Bowles is probably less involved in the offesne day to day and even in acquiring ,ost of the talent BUT . . . .
IF WE ARE EVALUATING BOWLES AS A HEAD COACH . . . and as the Bucs owners would . . .
He CORRECTLY identified an non-play calling OC and the right call for the Bucs. And then he did it AGAIN with a no NFL experience (or limited NFL experience) OC who really knocked it oput of the park
This discussion is why I mention that people have a tendency to selectively define Bowles. He is basically the DC when the defense falters and NOT the HC when it comes to the offensive success, but he is the HC when it comes to ST struggles. In fact, his defense owns some of those points ST gave up!
Since 2022 he's been the HC and just like he owns the team record - for both good and bad - he owns the Mayfield, Canales and Coen and now Grizz - selections. Even on Grizz, he CHOSE to stick with him, right? Some here suggest that was a BAD choice, so it must be on Bowles right? lol
Anyway, if Bowles is BLAMED for the ST coach (he should be) then he's credited with Grizz, Coen and Canales
Given how he has played this year, one could only describe as "half decent"; i am not sure why we wouldn't let him play 2026 and then worry about an extension in the offseason. Not like he would leave Tampa if the money is there.
Backing up the truck to give this guy 50M-60M per year and he looks to have taken a clear step back from 2024 and maybe even 2023
Now sure, some may say hey man...No Mike Evans...well hate to break it to you but Mike Evans may retire or isn't going to be around longer than Baker so throw that "injury" excuse out the window
I'm a Baker bro but let's learn from the Bowles and Zyon extension and worry about that extension after 2026 season. Very likely Baker is our guy but mediocrity abound and a certain point we need to start dragging him down in the mud too
Let's see...which franchises may be in line for his services in 2026 - Miami? NYJ? Pittsburgh? Indianapolis? Raiders? Vikings? Falcons? Saints? Arizona?
That's potentially 9 teams and doesn't include the 2026 and 2027 draft classes which will fill some of these teams holes. Which of those teams would be enticing for Baker to leave for if the money is the same.
Fuck him. Play better, play like a QB that can will the team to victory then we can talk about your extension bra. but i am not so sure he's the answer if he can't beat the fucking Saints at home.
Just let Mayfield play out his contract. No point over thinking this because an early extensions only favors young players and coaches. McCollum was paid for his future potential ceiling and not his current ceiling which is the value Licht was looking at.
Current value is to stick with Mayfield with the contract that he has and see where it leads.
Just let Mayfield play out his contract. No point over thinking this because an early extensions only favors young players and coaches. McCollum was paid for his future potential ceiling and not his current ceiling which is the value Licht was looking at.
Current value is to stick with Mayfield with the contract that he has and see where it leads.
that's what they currently should do but will they? You dont think they extend him in the offseason
i am like 95% certain they will blow their load but given this mediocre performance this year for "WHATEVER EXCUSE - INJURIES" i think you let him play next year out. Sure we think it was not having Evans out there but he looked alot better without Evans and Godwin last year then he did this year so i wouldn't just bank on that he returns to 2024 form.
My original opinion was that Bakers accumulation of injuries over time will gradually reduce his ability to throw the ball in a couple years from now. But I think that’s what happened yesterday.
My original opinion was that Bakers accumulation of injuries over time will gradually reduce his ability to throw the ball in a couple years from now. But I think that’s what happened yesterday.
not sure what's going on with Baker but he is certainly giving me pause this year
would like to see if this is the new norm or if infact injuries and bad play calling are holding him back
Need to see 2026 season with different OC/play caller and hopefully better luck on injury front.
but im not willing to say...nah he's our guy, let's sign him in February to 50M deal. If anything, this season shows....nah let him play out his contract and we can work something out in February 2027.
My god... Baker gets hurt and has none of his weapons (EE with the yips) with a play caller that calls plays like my daughter explaining rules to a game she made up and now Baker is expendable?
Lmfao this fanbase I swear to God.
I'll be clear I'm not saying Baker is done right now. I just think perhaps his shoulder injury impacted his play on this night. Hopefully he's on the mend.My god... Baker gets hurt and has none of his weapons (EE with the yips) with a play caller that calls plays like my daughter explaining rules to a game she made up and now Baker is expendable?
Lmfao this fanbase I swear to God.
But he's been banged up multiple times as any QB would be who is his size and plays like he does. What's he going to be like three or four years from now? Will he be a $50 to $60 mil player on the DL? Will he be struggling to overcome nagging injuries on a weekly basis? Will his arm accuracy be compromised? I'm not confident it won't be. If you are going to be putting that kind of money on the cap you better be pretty confident he's going to earn that money.
You pay for future production, not present or past. Be objective. In 2029 or 2030 how many games out of 18 do you think Baker will be playing at full speed? You can't predict the future, but just take a guess. What would you guess?
I'll be clear I'm not saying Baker is done right now. I just think perhaps his shoulder injury impacted his play on this night. Hopefully he's on the mend.My god... Baker gets hurt and has none of his weapons (EE with the yips) with a play caller that calls plays like my daughter explaining rules to a game she made up and now Baker is expendable?
Lmfao this fanbase I swear to God.
But he's been banged up multiple times as any QB would be who is his size and plays like he does. What's he going to be like three or four years from now? Will he be a $50 to $60 mil player on the DL? Will he be struggling to overcome nagging injuries on a weekly basis? Will his arm accuracy be compromised? I'm not confident it won't be. If you are going to be putting that kind of money on the cap you better be pretty confident he's going to earn that money.
You pay for future production, not present or past. Be objective. In 2029 or 2030 how many games out of 18 do you think Baker will be playing at full speed? You can't predict the future, but just take a guess. What would you guess?
Like anything it depends on the price. His age and injury is certainly a concern.
Let his contract play out and franchise him or give him a three year deal.
I bet Baker wants to win
Just let Mayfield play out his contract. No point over thinking this because an early extensions only favors young players and coaches. McCollum was paid for his future potential ceiling and not his current ceiling which is the value Licht was looking at.
Current value is to stick with Mayfield with the contract that he has and see where it leads.
that's what they currently should do but will they? You dont think they extend him in the offseason
i am like 95% certain they will blow their load but given this mediocre performance this year for "WHATEVER EXCUSE - INJURIES" i think you let him play next year out. Sure we think it was not having Evans out there but he looked alot better without Evans and Godwin last year then he did this year so i wouldn't just bank on that he returns to 2024 form.
PR is saying the Bucs FO want to extend him to save cap dollar in the future means there is an opportunity cost for that move now. Bucs can use that money for another player next off season. It is okay to pay Mayfield if he shows more down the line. Nothing wrong with that.
If they're going to extend him they might as well do it now. The price is only going up. It's just my contention they shouldn't do it at all. But get it over with one way or another so they don't have to overpay a year later. Make the decision this offseason to do it or not. Trade him if the answer is "not". But we all know it's a foregone conclusion. Maybe the more this season goes in the tank and Baker proves he can't save a sinking ship the more reasonable the price will be.Just let Mayfield play out his contract. No point over thinking this because an early extensions only favors young players and coaches. McCollum was paid for his future potential ceiling and not his current ceiling which is the value Licht was looking at.
Current value is to stick with Mayfield with the contract that he has and see where it leads.
that's what they currently should do but will they? You dont think they extend him in the offseason
i am like 95% certain they will blow their load but given this mediocre performance this year for "WHATEVER EXCUSE - INJURIES" i think you let him play next year out. Sure we think it was not having Evans out there but he looked alot better without Evans and Godwin last year then he did this year so i wouldn't just bank on that he returns to 2024 form.
PR is saying the Bucs FO want to extend him to save cap dollar in the future means there is an opportunity cost for that move now. Bucs can use that money for another player next off season. It is okay to pay Mayfield if he shows more down the line. Nothing wrong with that.
It's just my contention they shouldn't do it at all
they need a QB so what should they do when they let him walk?
If they're going to extend him they might as well do it now. The price is only going up. It's just my contention they shouldn't do it at all. But get it over with one way or another so they don't have to overpay a year later. Make the decision this offseason to do it or not. Trade him if the answer is "not". But we all know it's a foregone conclusion. Maybe the more this season goes in the tank and Baker proves he can't save a sinking ship the more reasonable the price will be.Just let Mayfield play out his contract. No point over thinking this because an early extensions only favors young players and coaches. McCollum was paid for his future potential ceiling and not his current ceiling which is the value Licht was looking at.
Current value is to stick with Mayfield with the contract that he has and see where it leads.
that's what they currently should do but will they? You dont think they extend him in the offseason
i am like 95% certain they will blow their load but given this mediocre performance this year for "WHATEVER EXCUSE - INJURIES" i think you let him play next year out. Sure we think it was not having Evans out there but he looked alot better without Evans and Godwin last year then he did this year so i wouldn't just bank on that he returns to 2024 form.
PR is saying the Bucs FO want to extend him to save cap dollar in the future means there is an opportunity cost for that move now. Bucs can use that money for another player next off season. It is okay to pay Mayfield if he shows more down the line. Nothing wrong with that.
Mayfield only has 6 INTs this year and with four games left you never know as he is a streaky QB. I am not sure why people are so down on him when the OL has been in a state of flux, WR room injured and Grizzard a rookie OC.
If you are saying Mayfield is a great bargain right now to tack on extra years then yes but at the same time the Bucs can free up future cap dollars. Keep in mind this is the last season where the Bucs have major dead cap space they will be clearing from Shaq/Jenson which is a combined $29 mil.
6 INTS and more like 3! Can’t fault him for Hail Mary Todd Bowles brains fart or silly goose bitch boy Cade ottton
