Baker Mayfield, sign his resignation
Baker Mayfield, the quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, tendered his resignation following
“I was taught in times of crisis to think players, not plays,” new offensive coordinator Liam Coen of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers remarked during his first press conference last week.
The Buccaneers’ emphasis on getting the ball to their top players sounds fantastic in principle, but right now it’s hampered by the reality that wide receiver Mike Evans and quarterback Baker Mayfield, two of their most vital offensive players, are eligible for free agency.
After a 9-8 season in which they gave the Lions a tough game in the Super Wild Card Round, the Bucs are looking forward to 2024, but there are still concerns about Mayfield and Evans’ futures.
When Mayfield discussed his future with the Bucs with NFL Network’s Andrew Siciliano and Daniel Jeremiah from Las Vegas, he reaffirmed previous reports that suggested a reunion between Mayfield and Tampa Bay may be imminent after he made the most of his one-year contract there in 2023.
“It goes without saying that we want to reunite as a band,” Mayfield stated.
Coen stated that it was “a no-brainer for me” to join the Bucs and that he would welcome “the opportunity to work with Baker, to perhaps get back with him.” After working with Mayfield for a short while when he joined the Rams at the end of the 2022 season, Coen referred to Mayfield as an “ignitor.”
Mayfield stated to NFL Network that while he will approach free agency similarly to how he did a year ago, the Bucs will still be first in line for his services.
“I’m assessing it in the same manner as I did when I entered free agency last year,” he remarked. “Observe the companies. Who performs it correctly? Who will position me for the greatest chance of success?
Since I’ve personally witnessed it, Tampa clearly has the advantage, so I’m just analyzing that. Having an understanding of my current life trajectory, I can say that winning is something I greatly value in order to have the opportunity to win Super Bowls.”
Moreover, Mayfield was effusive in his admiration for Evans, who caught 79 receptions for 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns. In an outstanding season, Evans recorded his highest number of receptions since 2016, yards since 2018, and touchdown catches since 2019.
Mayfield remarked, “I understand where Mike is in his career.” “He’s a prime candidate. The guy has amassed 1,000 receiving yards ten years in a row, demonstrating remarkable consistency. Seldom can someone ever say that.
“This guy is unbelievable. I believe that he took it personally since everyone wanted to put a date on it and declare that he would never be good again.”
By focusing on Evans instead of his own free agency, Mayfield diverted attention away from himself and claimed that Evans is a member of the only NFL team he has ever known. Jason Licht, the general manager of the Bucs, is aware of Mayfield’s stance on Evans.
Mayfield remarked, “So we’ve both expressed our desires to be together, but it has to be done in the proper manner.” “Mike ought to be a lifelong Buccaneer. He has made enormous contributions to both the franchise and that community. He has invested his time in it. Regarding the person as a player and a guy in general, I have nothing but praise for him.”
We’ll have to wait until next autumn to find out if they’ll embark on another tour together.
