Latest news with #BakerMayfield
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8 hours ago
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Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Was Better Last Season In One Key Passing Stat
Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Was Better Last Season In One Key Passing Stat originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has completely turned his career trajectory around since arriving in town ahead of the 2023 season. Advertisement Replacing legend and seven-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady is no easy proposition, but Mayfield's transition in Tampa Bay has been seamless. Posting two career seasons since being signed by general manager Jason Licht, Mayfield has helped the Bucs to a record-tying four straight NFC South titles and five playoff appearances in a row. But last season, we saw a part of Baker's game improve that might not have been anticipated. Pro Football Focus measured each quarterback's release rate last season, and Mayfield proved to have the third-most attempts in the league in releasing the ball in under 2.5 seconds. "Baker Mayfield's transition in Tampa Bay is a prime example, as his time to throw has decreased over the past two seasons compared to his previous three, resulting in increased production," Mason Cameron wrote. "This past season, Mayfield recorded 335 attempts in under 2.5 seconds — more than in any season he played outside of Tampa. He posted an 85.8% adjusted completion percentage and 29 touchdowns on such plays in 2024, both of which led the NFL." Advertisement Mayfield has been named to the Pro Bowl for the first and second times in his career since joining the Bucs. In 2023, he posted career highs in yards (4,044), touchdowns (28) and completion percentage (64.3). That earned him a three-year, $100 million deal from Licht and the team, and last season, he bested those career numbers by a lot with 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns and a 71.4 completion percentage. Baker has built on the previous year each season with the Bucs, and that trend could continue in 2025. Related: Buccaneers' Pass Catcher Predicted 'League-Winning WR' in Fantasy Football Related: Analyst Names Buccaneers Third-Round Pick as Potential Cut Candidate This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
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Buccaneers Just Miss Top 10 NFL Power Rankings Placement
Buccaneers Just Miss Top 10 NFL Power Rankings Placement originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been trending upward since Todd Bowles took over as head coach for Bruce Arians after the 2021 season. Advertisement Bowles was just rewarded with a three-year contract extension, along with general manager Jason Licht. Heading into 2025, the Bucs return all 11 starters on the offensive side of the ball, for a unit that ranked in the top five of most statistical categories last year. Defensively, the team will hopefully improve coming off a season where Bowles' unit struggled to get pressure on the quarterback and in pass coverage. Licht focused on the defense in both free agency and the draft, and hopes are high that Bowles can turn the defense around next season. Matt Johnson of Sportsnaut ranked all 32 teams this offseason and the Buccaneers just missed out on the top 10 at No. 11. Advertisement "Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have demonstrated they can overcome the loss of an offensive coordinator without skipping a beat offensively," Johnson wrote. We'll also highlight the fact that new play-caller Josh Grizzard was directly responsible for the best third-down offense (50.9 percent) in the NFL last year. Tampa Bay is also getting back Chris Godwin (ankle) and it added another potential No. 2 receiver in Emeka Egbuka to pair with Mike Evans. "Defensively, Tampa Bay even strengthened its pass rush with the Haason Reddick signing. We've seen enough in the last two seasons to believe the Buccaneers will remain a very good team." Related: Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Was Better Last Season In One Key Passing Stat Related: High-Priced Buccaneers Cornerback Could be Trade Bait Ahead of 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
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Buccaneers Urged To Extend Key Piece Of Baker Mayfield's Protection
Buccaneers Urged To Extend Key Piece Of Baker Mayfield's Protection originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The ink isn't even dry on Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht's contract extension, and he's already been given more work this offseason. Advertisement With the Buccaneers seeing a host of their offensive starters return, and all of the offensive line, Baker Mayfield and Co. are gearing up for quite the season under new coordinator Josh Grizzard. The offensive line was a key reason for the offensive success last season due to a stellar gun game, and now might be the time to reward some of the players who were responsible. For ESPN's Aaron Schatz, in naming one final offseason move for each team, when it came to the Buccaneers, it was extending Luke Goedeke. "Tristan Wirfs is the anchor of the Tampa Bay offensive line, but Goedeke has been playing very well recently," Schatz wrote. "Last season, he ranked 27th among qualifying tackles in pass block win rate (89.5%) and was above average in run block win rate (75.3%). Goedeke has one year left on his rookie contract, so it would be good for the Bucs to lock him in long term." Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackle Luke Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports At the time of writing, Tampa Bay, according to Over The Cap, has $26.6 million in cap space, so there are sufficient funds to finalize a contract. Advertisement has Goedeke's market value set at $16 5 million APY, with a four-year, $66 million contract thought to be where he will land. Would the Buccaneers be willing to part ways with such money? Given how much the offense relies on them to protect Mayfield so he can utilize his weapons, plus open up running lanes for Bucky Irving and Rachaad White, we imagine it might have come up in conversation. So yes, Licht has signed his extension with the franchise. Maybe it's time to get Luke his. Related: Todd Bowles and Jason Licht React to Buccaneers' Contract Extensions Related: Buccaneers' Jason Licht Gushes As 'Top Unit' Projection In 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
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Could Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Win MVP?
Could Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Win MVP? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield divides opinion among the NFL fraternity, with some waiting for the big drop-off, while others think he will continue on his current trajectory. Advertisement With the Buccaneers again the favorites for the division, and having one of the most explosive offenses in football after an offseason that saw Emeka Egbuka be added to the weapons list, Tampa Bay has all the tools to be one of the best offenses with Mayfield leading it. But when it comes to Baker, Bucky Brooks has listed all his long shots for major NFL awards, and when it comes to the MVP, his pick is Baker. "If Mayfield matches his 2024 numbers (71.4% completion rate, 4,500 passing yards with 41 touchdowns) and the Buccaneers win the NFC South for the fifth year in a row, I won't be surprised if the former No. 1 overall pick rises to the top of the MVP conversation," Brooks wrote. Baker Mayfield (6) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up before an NFL football wild card playoff game against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 12 in Tampa, Florida.(Photo by) Yeah, we can see it. Advertisement An offense that has Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Egbuka, and Cade Otton along with Bucky Irving and Rachaard White as pass-catching backs, and an offensive line that has all five starters returning, Baker is set up for success. How much success, though? We aren't sure. But to generate MVP buzz, he would have to at least match his numbers from last season, and have a better record, and not go through the slump he went through either (injuries played a big role in it). Yes, it's a long shot, but Mayfield has all the tools needed to thrust himself into the conversation. Related: Bucs GM 'Very, Very Excited' About Next Season Related: Analyst Believes 2025 Could Be Final Season for Buccaneers Legend This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
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a day ago
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Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Finally Has Top-10 Billing In 2025
Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Finally Has Top-10 Billing In 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has finally found a place to call home, and his play over the past two seasons has reflected that. Advertisement Multiple Pro Bowls and division titles, and he is coming off a 2024 season in which he threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns, both career highs. That is a far cry from his form earlier in his career, and one could say the turnaround is nearly complete. But for some, they are waiting for Baker to revert to the gunslinging, mistake-prone quarterback he once was. Yes, the interceptions are still there, but there's no denying Mayfield has morphed into a more than competent quarterback since moving to Tampa. And now we have another feather in Mayfield's cap, one that not many have noticed. CBS Sports' Pete Prisco recently named his top 100 players in the NFL, with Mayfield coming in at No. 57. Advertisement Ok, that isn't the headline. But this is. Out of the 11 quarterbacks Prisco named, Mayfield is listed as the eighth-best with Jalen Hurts (52), Justin Herbert (49), Jayden Daniels (33), Joe Burrow (7), Lamar Jackson (6), Josh Allen (4) and Patrick Mahomes (1) ahead of him. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6).Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Mayfield a top-10 quarterback? Right now, coming off his 2024 season? Yeah, we'll buy that. Now, this list is subjective, and some might have Jared Goff (77) or Jordan Love (92) ahead of him (not Dak Prescott, No. 90, due to his injury), but Mayfield seems to be getting the plaudits that his play has deserved. Of course, he will be one of the most-watched quarterbacks in 2025, with many anticipating what they believe will be the inevitable decline. Advertisement It hasn't happened yet, and Mayfield as a top-10 quarterback is quite the conversation starter. Related: Can Buccaneers' Todd Bowles' 'Hot Streak' Continue? Related: Buccaneers' Jason Licht Gushes As 'Top Unit' Projection In 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
