The Bucs discussed backup Drew Lock, whom Canales coached in Seattle, before zeroing in on Mayfield, according to Licht. Still addressing salary cap issues from Brady's contract and $35 million cap hit, Tampa Bay was not in position to pay top dollar for Jimmy Garoppolo or Derek Carr, the top two free agent quarterbacks. That left free agency as the most prudent path. Stroud and Anthony Richardson would be off the board. Picking 19th in the 2023 draft, Licht knew top rookie options Bryce Young, C.J. The team liked Kyle Trask, the University of Florida product it had used a late-second-round draft choice on in 2021, but Trask was unproven and identifying competition was necessary. 1 confirmed a reality for which Bowles and Licht had already begun planning, according to multiple team sources: the Buccaneers would start a new era at quarterback. Everybody was counting him out and saying he sucks."īRADY'S RETIREMENT ON Feb. "He has an eternal chip on his shoulder," general manager Jason Licht said. And his mini-renaissance in Tampa sits neatly alongside the objectives of a talented team still salty about the national perception it would struggle because Brady retired - and because Mayfield was Brady's replacement. He escaped the fray humbled yet hungry, those close to him said. On-the-brink brilliance followed by stardom, insurance commercials, a historic playoff win, injuries, uneven play, team dysfunction, a trade, a release, a rejuvenating month in Southern California and an eventual one-year deal of modest stature ($4 million and up to $8.5 million with incentives) with a Buccaneers team that would not promise him a starting job. Mayfield's five-year career, preceding his 3-1 start to this season, contained multitudes. The team that took a chance on him - including a head coach and general manager who were also facing high stakes - might just be riding their canny decision to an unlikely NFC South title and post-Tom Brady relevance. He enters a Week 6 meeting against the Lions with a 70.2 QBR that ranks sixth in the NFL. 1 pick - looks intent on delivering on some of the promise that followed him into the league as the Cleveland Browns' top draft pick in 2018. One of the surprises of the early 2023 NFL season, Mayfield - the former No. "One thing about Baker, he has great vision and fast eyes, so getting guys moving is a good thing," Canales said. Turns out the Bucs almost welcomed the chaos of the play, and the presence of a quarterback who has seen his share of it. Mayfield rolled to his right and after 7.68 seconds - an eternity against NFL pass-rushers - delivered a dime to a leaping Deven Thompkins. The quarterback looked left, right, left, bouncing around, hoping his eyes would locate an open white jersey. Mayfield stuck with the play, but once he dropped back there were no obvious reads. The play was designed to beat man coverage, with the ability to check into a different play if the coverage changed. So Canales drew up a play Mayfield liked from a few weeks ago, a shotgun look allowing him to survey the field and enter a scramble drill if initial reads weren't there. Just about everything about the situation said call a safe play, get the kicker ready: Third-and-goal from the Saints' 5-yard-line, 3:44 left, the Buccaneers up 17-9, star receiver Mike Evans injured, a journeyman quarterback - on his fourth NFL team in 16 months - at the controls.īut a few plays earlier, Bucs coach Todd Bowles had directed offensive coordinator Dave Canales to be aggressive. NEW ORLEANS - Baker Mayfield stood apart from his Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammates on the Caesars Superdome turf, palms covering the ear holes of his helmet, awaiting the playcall that might provide a much-needed signature moment. The meaning of Baker Mayfield's Bucs renaissance, and what's next Jeremy Fowler, senior NFL national reporter You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |