Baker Mayfield may be a pending free agent, but every sign seems to be pointing toward the 2023 Pro Bowler re-signing with the Bucs on a multi-year deal this offseason.

There was the initial declaration of Mayfield’s desire to stay with Tampa Bay and then, while there was the roadblock of offensive coordinator Dave Canales leaving to become the head coach in Carolina, the Bucs’ ensuing hire of Liam Coen as their offensive coordinator seemed to bode well for Mayfield to return for 2024 and beyond.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

After all, Baker Mayfield and Liam Coen worked together in Los Angeles at the tail end of the 2023 season, so there’s familiarity there both in terms of their personal relationship and the offensive scheme that the quarterback would be asked to master and run should he suit up for Tampa Bay again next season.

That’s something Mayfield said himself when news of Coen’s hiring broke over the weekend.

“I think out of all the guys they interviewed – of the names I saw – a lot of good options,” Mayfield said while at the Pro Bowl Games in Orlando last weekend. “It’s kind of hard, I don’t understand how that thought process goes, but obviously, I got to work with Liam in [Los Angeles]. Great guy, a really great guy.

“If they lock that down, for sure it’s a similar system – same system, just some different terminology and how he wants to call things. There’s something to say about that, with continuity within the offense for the skill guys and the offensive line. It’s important to have.”

Mayfield may not have wanted to say too much, as he’s still a free agent who will be looking to cash in with a big-money contract this offseason. As much as he has said he wants to remain in Tampa and his free agency process will begin with the Bucs, he can’t willingly give up too much leverage. Still, the link between him and Coen should make for some positive momentum in contract talks between his camp and the Bucs.

Liam Coen Makes His Thoughts On Baker Mayfield Very Clear

Bucs OC Liam Coen – Photo by: Matt Matera/PR

Liam Coen, on the other hand, made it very clear how much he’d like to work with Baker Mayfield again during his introductory press conference at the AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa on Tuesday.

Coen spoke glowingly about Mayfield and their time together in Los Angeles. The new offensive coordinator often talked as if the quarterback was already under contract with Tampa Bay before seemingly catching himself and adding qualifiers like “potentially” and “if” into his thoughts on having Mayfield as his quarterback next season.

In calling his decision to join Todd Bowles’ coaching staff a “no-brainer,” Coen’s first reason was none other than Baker Mayfield.

“This was a no-brainer for me,” Coen said. “Obviously, the opportunity to work with Baker. To get back with him, potentially. John Wolford’s in the room that I coached with the Rams for multiple years. The skillset on the perimeter, obviously. Youth in the running back room, tight end. And one of the best tackles in the National Football League. This was altogether was something we could not turn away from whatsoever. This is something that are really excited about as a family. My father lives an hour and a half from Tampa. I’ve spent a lot of time down here. And this was just a no-brainer for us.”

Baker Mayfield Gives Liam Coen A Warm Welcome At Bucs’ Facility

As if the existing relationship between Baker Mayfield and new Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen wasn’t already a positive sign that the Comeback Player of the Year candidate looks like a lock to return to Tampa, Tuesday brought Buccaneer fans another encouraging sign.

Coen was at the Bucs’ facility for his press conference and yes, Baker Mayfield pulled up to reunite with his former — and potentially future — offensive coordinator.

Baker 🤝 Coach Coen pic.twitter.com/C6h74UpIAe

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) February 7, 2024

After a hug, Coen gave Mayfield what might’ve been a subtle nudge toward re-signing with the Bucs, telling him that everyone in the building loves him and reminding him that this opportunity is the one he was wanting after bouncing from the Browns to the Panthers to the Rams in 2022. Mayfield threw for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns to 10 interceptions while leading Tampa Bay to a 9-8 record and another NFC South title. Then, he threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns in both of the team’s playoff games. Over the course of the season, he certainly reestablished himself as an NFL starting quarterback.

The video the Bucs posted ends with Mayfield telling Coen he’d holler at him as the two hug again. If the soon-to-be 29-year-old quarterback ends up signing a new contract in that building in the near future, there’ll be plenty more content to come as the two work together to build on the success Mayfield and the Tampa Bay offense had in 2023 — and take it to new heights.