This is truth. Other teams seldom rely on a true "X" because they have other weapons to diminish the need for an "X". And as knees said, having athletes all over the field (which is what Tampa has on paper right now) is probably the better scenario than relying on a true "X" receiver.Pre-snap motion and lots of interchangeable formations have made the X less and less of a static thing.
Not many teams use a true X.
Yes agreed, but all those top teams have someone who defenses often have to double or bracket. Egbuka ran into that last season, so maybe healthier Godwin or McMillan or even Hurst makes teams pay for that
This is truth. Other teams seldom rely on a true "X" because they have other weapons to diminish the need for an "X". And as knees said, having athletes all over the field (which is what Tampa has on paper right now) is probably the better scenario than relying on a true "X" receiver.Pre-snap motion and lots of interchangeable formations have made the X less and less of a static thing.
Not many teams use a true X.
Yes agreed, but all those top teams have someone who defenses often have to double or bracket. Egbuka ran into that last season, so maybe healthier Godwin or McMillan or even Hurst makes teams pay for that
it would be great to see a spread it around passing game next season, sort of like Coen. and it think playing to the strength of Mayfield. especially is some of it is short, rhythm passing.
Agreed completely.This is truth. Other teams seldom rely on a true "X" because they have other weapons to diminish the need for an "X". And as knees said, having athletes all over the field (which is what Tampa has on paper right now) is probably the better scenario than relying on a true "X" receiver.Pre-snap motion and lots of interchangeable formations have made the X less and less of a static thing.
Not many teams use a true X.
Yes agreed, but all those top teams have someone who defenses often have to double or bracket. Egbuka ran into that last season, so maybe healthier Godwin or McMillan or even Hurst makes teams pay for that
it would be great to see a spread it around passing game next season, sort of like Coen. and it think playing to the strength of Mayfield. especially is some of it is short, rhythm passing.
Egbuka v the Seahawks and the Eagles was top tier rookie stuff.
He’s a much more clever player than Tet McMillan.
Egbuka v the Seahawks and the Eagles was top tier rookie stuff.
He’s a much more clever player than Tet McMillan.
Tet wins with over powering DBs but Egbuka is more subtle with his route running and will continue to rise. I don't think NFL teams figure out Egbuka as it was more so the Bucs offense became less diversified down the stretch. I think the Bucs with their current weapons at WR and RB will diversify the passing attack and shift it around. They can try to double bracket Egbuka again but this time with Hurst, Godwin and McMillan it is going to be mismatch heaven for Mayfield. Mayfield has to see these mismatches and hit them.
Egbuka is clearly the more cerebral than Tet. His ability to get to the route early, is very much Jerry Rice like. I know, I know, he’s not Jerry Rice but, man, there’s a smoothness to his route running that has a similar glide to him.
Two small negatives from Mike Evans 2025. Small potatoes overall, but one was hushing Egbuka out to the X when he came back. Hopefully Egbuka has a great year in 2026 in a new offset.
Second, according to Arians? Soaking up the attempts
“A little bit of our inexperience showed at coaching offensively in those situations, and I know Baker [Mayfield] felt he had to get Mike the ball,” Arians said. “Every quarterback has a great receiver, and as a coach when you are scripting those plays and you’re scripting that first 15, [Evans] is getting two touches somehow. I think that hurt us a little bit last year, and I don’t think that will hurt us this year.”
Again, maybe that helps all the receivers a little bit in 2026
Yes it is true that Mayfield without Godwin and Evans was spreading the ball around during that early run of 2025. But keep in mind during the collapse no one was stepping up but Mike Evans did so I could understand force feeding the ball to Evans down the stretch when winning games became more magnfied.
But that is a balancing act that Mayfield must learn.
But keep in mind during the collapse no one was stepping up but Mike Evans did
So, the best example of what you are describing is the Falcons game where Evans just back from injury has 130ish yard in receptions. If you look at that game though Evans is 50% receptions to TGTS. The leading targets of all WRs, but the first quarter TD (as one example) comes when they spread the ball around, passes to Godwin Egbuka and then TD by McMillan.
So describe that as somewhere between Mayfield and Grizz (early scripted plays, for example) and you have a big day for Evans and certainly an impressive feat, but also pretty inefficient. The Bucs were 4 of 9 on 3rd downs, again one example. They gave up 5 sacks trying to pass like that.
But that is a balancing act that Mayfield must learn.
Arians point was about Mayfield AND the OC
during the collapse no one was stepping up but Mike Evans did
In the Dolphins loss, Evans catches a TD in close RZ. He also has 3 reception, but on 7 targets, because a CB basically erases him for much of the game
In the Panthers loss, Evans and Godwin have 5 receptions, Godwin has 5 receptions and 30 yards on 6 targets. Evans has 5 receptions, 31 yards and a one yard TD on 9 targets. Egbuka is basically sidelined and then a 40 yard reception in the 4th quarter
So, what you are describing as "stepping up" during the collapse could also be described as Mayfield and Grizz forcing the ball to the HOFer who is not quite playing like a HOFer.
I think that is Arians point. in 2025 Evans is NOT playing the out on an island X role drawing double covers and shaded safeties. He ddint really even play that role in 2024, he stepped into Godwin's role. MUCH CREDIT TO HIM FOR PULLING THAT OFF.
during the collapse no one was stepping up but Mike Evans did
In the Dolphins loss, Evans catches a TD in close RZ. He also has 3 reception, but on 7 targets, because a CB basically erases him for much of the game
In the Panthers loss, Evans and Godwin have 5 receptions, Godwin has 5 receptions and 30 yards on 6 targets. Evans has 5 receptions, 31 yards and a one yard TD on 9 targets. Egbuka is basically sidelined and then a 40 yard reception in the 4th quarter
So, what you are describing as "stepping up" during the collapse could also be described as Mayfield and Grizz forcing the ball to the HOFer who is not quite playing like a HOFer.
I think that is Arians point. in 2025 Evans is NOT playing the out on an island X role drawing double covers and shaded safeties. He ddint really even play that role in 2024, he stepped into Godwin's role. MUCH CREDIT TO HIM FOR PULLING THAT OFF.
yeah agreed, the offense had 1 good game down the stretch - the Falcons game where the defense collasped.
the other 5 cupcake games they lost, yeah offense played like shit
I don't disagree with Arians point that spreading the ball around keeps defenses guessing as we saw with the hot 6-2 2025 start and that was without Evans and Godwin. But Mayfield trusts Evans more so in those situations which is why he was going to him when the offense was faltering.
I just think that Mayfield is not an accurate passer when relying on crossers and slants which is why it feels a misuse of his talent as Canales did that to him too with his play calling. Mayfield is simply better as a boundary thrower and throwing passes to the flats and screens. Coen understood that Mayfield isn't a timing QB when it comes to passes needing tight windows. Which is why it is fascinating to me that Zampese of all people are on staff. Zampese family has always worked in offenses with precise timing and windows that has the ball be at a specific location, and Mayfield isn't that type of QB.
Mayfield trusts Evans more so in those situations which is why he was going to him when the offense was faltering.
Arians point was that the offensive game plan was focused on Evans when he wasnt delivering. Throw in the pressure on Mayfield to go to the HOFer too and it certainly drags the offense backwards to throw primarily to a 50% recc rate and try to go deep and not have a run game and a beat up ine
First WTF game - Bucs beat Cardinals 20-17 - No Evans
Baker 18/28 194 yards 1 TD, 0 INT; first game after Rams injury; Baker rushes 6 times for 27 yards!
Godwin 3 rec, 78 yards, Egbuka 4 rec, 42 yards. Edbuka with a team high 8 targets.
Defense forced 2 turnovers in this game and we squeaked by thanks to the defense
2nd WTF game - Bucs lose to 3-10 Saints....24-20 - No Evans
Baker 14/30 122 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 6 rushes for 42 yards
Godwin 5 rec, 55 yards, Edbuka 2 rec for 15 yards with a team high 9 targets. Wow.
Defense gives up a quick 7 to start game, then Punt, Missed field goal, INT, Punt, turnover on downs - all this and Bucs only up 10-7 at half time. Baker turns ball over at mid field to start third quarter, defense gives up 7 and lackluster from there but couldn't even put up a league average 23 against a double digit loss team?
3rd WTF Game - Bucs lose 29-28 to Falcons....Evans first game back
Offense played good. Sure the Baker INT in the 4th quarter up 28-20 would have been better suited as a field goal and sure Bucs only mustering up a total of 8 yards on 6 plays up 28-26 wasn't ideal.....but the defense is most certainly to blame here (3rd and 28, how many fumbles didnt they pounce on in the 4th there?)
Baker 19/34 277 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Evans first game back with 6 rec, 132 yards with 12 targets. Edbuka still had a team high second at 7 targets
4th WTF game - Bucs lose 23-20 to Carolina
Baker 18/26 145 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 4 rushes for 49 yards. Crazy how his mad man rushes so well injured.
Evans 5 rec, 31 yards, 9 targets
Edbuka 1 rec for 40 yards, just 2 targets. Godwin had 6 targets
Bowles was brutal end of first half. If only he had a DC in the club box, would be able to see to have a safety back before half. Luckily, Bucs learned from their issues and hired a DC this yea....oh wait
A Baker INT on Carolina 42 where a field goal ties the game was the killer. Again, not being able to put up an NFL average 23 points reason for loss here
5th WTF game - Bucs lose to Quinn Ewers left Dolphins 20-17.
Baker 33/44 for 346 yards 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 1 fumble lost
McMillan and Godwin with both over 100 yards, Evans third on team with targets. Edbuka had 5 targets with 3 rec for 20 yards
offense had a pathetic 10 points heading into the 4th quarter and scored a garbage time TD to make it close. Offense to blame
6th WTF game - Bucs beat Carolina 16-14 in inclement weather game
Baker 16/22 203 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 4 carries for 31 yards
Edbuka second on team in targets with 3, Cade otton had 9 this game
Bucs score 10 points in first 2 drives but defense holds on strong here
5 WTF games by offense, 1 by the defense yet everyone blaming the defense....interesting
Defense gives up a quick 7 to start game, then Punt, Missed field goal, INT, Punt, turnover on downs - all this and Bucs only up 10-7 at half time. Baker turns ball over at mid field to start third quarter,
So here is a really good example of why I think your focus on Mayfield is misplaced, or maybe a little overblown. I will use tyour words and just provide the context. I think you can FAIRLY say that Mayfield did not play well and did not overcome the problems with the team, but I am not sure he is the reason for the loss, but here you go:
"Defense gives up a quick 7 to start game" - Mayfield leads the offense in immediately answering, 10 play 62 yard TD
"then punt" - The Saints punt and then we turn over on downs but this is how that happens: Penalty on a lineman puts us at 1st and 15. Mayfield pass for 9, Irving run for 3 so its 3rd and 3. White run for 2 and the Irving for MINUS 7. (thats play calling, Oline, not QB)
"Missed field goal" - by Saints and then we punt. Why? Even with a penalty of Saints helping us, on 1st and 10 Irving runs for MINUS 5. On 2nd ad 15, Mayfield scrambles for 2 and then incomplete on 3rd and 13. Not going to win with many 3rd and 13s, so maybe this is Mayfield NOT OVERCOMING the negative run? That seems more fair.
"INT" - by our defense. When we get the ball back awe get a FG. Mayfield does not convert a 3rd and 5. I dont recall the play but may be on Mayfield that it was a FG and not a TD
Punt - defense forces a punt and we got TWO series out on DOWNS. First one, after two poor runs (only 2 yards) Mayfield scrambles for TWELVE. First down. Two runs again to 3rd and 1. Two runs up the middle, both NO GAIN. (Play calling and offensive line and RBs, not Mayfiled).
Second turnover on downs. Baker runs for the first 1st down and throws for the second 1st down, but its called back for a penalty on Egbuka. Kill the clock. (Penalty, NOT Mayfield)
So, if you what to say that UNLIKE THE EARLY SEASON GAMES Mayfield did not overcome the other team problems (play calling, running game O-line) in the first half against the Saints then sure. That would be fair.
Even the 3rd quarter INT. Here it is https://www.nfl.com/games/saints-at-buccaneers-2025-reg-14?tab=replays-highlights. Always on a QB, but in reality its a BACKUP WR stopping his in route. Still, I get it. INTS almost always QB
Mayfield responds with the Bucs own TD. 11 plays 46 yards
FOURTH QUARTER
Drive 1 - Mayfield's 16 yard scramble is the explosive play that is the longest play of a series that, again, ends on downs. (maybe Mayfield and play calling?)
Drive 2 - Field Goal. The play that sets the team back from a TD? A PENALTY on useless reserve guard Michael Jordan (Mayfield didnt overcome another down/distance problem? okay thats fair)
Drive 3 - 27 second left, turnover on downs