TAMPA — Josh Grizzard offered perhaps the best description of how Baker Mayfield plays quarterback.
“He plays the game like a UFC fighter,” the new Bucs offensive coordinator said. “And we’re trying to take a couple of the hits off him and not (have him) playing like that all the time.”
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Of course, Mayfield has heard this almost from the time he put on a helmet.
He has always teetered between courageous and careless. Arguably the best pass Mayfield made last season came against the 49ers and epitomized his style of play.
Trailing the 49ers 20-17 and facing fourth and 7 from the Bucs’ 37-yard line with under two minutes to play, Mayfield was chased from the pocket and scrambled to his right, holding off defensive end Nick Bosa with his left arm while completing a pass for a first down to Rachaad White.
“That’s one of the best plays I’ve ever seen a quarterback make,” said Tom Brady, who was calling the game for the NFL on Fox.
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Mayfield hears the concerns and swats them away with his right hand.
“Coaches like to talk this time of the year,” Mayfield said following the first practice of mandatory minicamp Tuesday. “Sit down and watch tape.”
When reminded the coaches are only trying to protect him, he becomes more dismissive.
“They are,” said Mayfield, smiling. “And I’m trying to win games.
“It’s football. There’s a time and place. On third downs, you’ve got to have situations where I’m going to try and do everything I can to get the first down or whatever we need. But there’s also a time and place to throw the ball away. When it comes to protecting myself, I think the biggest thing is the sack numbers.
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“A lot of that was from was holding onto the ball. There’s give and take. There’s the scramble element trying to create explosive plays. But also, the situations in the game, where are we at? Are we leading? Don’t force the ball and trust our defense to get it back for us.”
It’s almost hard to believe that Mayfield will begin his third season with the Bucs with his third offensive coordinator. He played well enough to help Dave Canales (Carolina) and Liam Coen (Jacksonville) become head coaches after only one season as Bucs OC.
With Grizzard, who joined the staff last season as the passing game coordinator, there at least is continuity within the system.
Mayfield had his best year as a pro last season, passing for 4,500 yards with 41 touchdowns and completing 71.4% of his passes. But the 16 interceptions were the most in the NFL.
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“We addressed not only him but the whole unit,” Grizzard said. “The turnovers were unacceptable and it’s not just him or the backs or receivers, but being something that needs to go down from where it was last year.”
The continuity within the system should help, but so will his embarrassment of riches at receiver. Chris Godwin did not practice Tuesday but is on schedule while rehabbing the dislocated ankle he sustained in Week 7 last year.
The Bucs still have Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan and rookie Emeka Egbuka, the first-round pick from Ohio State.
Mayfield says he has been impressed by Egbuka’s understanding of the game and precise route-running during the offseason.
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“The thing that sticks out is how cerebral he is,” Mayfield said. “He’s so smart. Right now I think we could plug and play him at any receiver spot and he understands the offense that well and that’s just him being a pro already. He’s not a rookie. He doesn’t act like it at least, so it’s been good to see him take that ownership. He takes it extremely serious but he’s in constant communication.
“He always wants to be at the right spot at the right time. He’s much like J-Mac (McMillan) with his understanding of zone coverage and Chris (Godwin) as well. Understanding when to be open, the voids in the zone defense and how to be friendly to the quarterback. It’s a nice luxury to have.”
After playing for four teams in a span of about 18 months when he joined the Bucs in March 2023, Mayfield finally is feeling some stability in his life. He’s in the second year of a three-year, $100 million contract.
He and wife Emily own a home on Davis Islands and have a 14-month-old daughter.
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What’s missing, however, is the Lombardi Trophy. Mayfield says the Bucs have the talent to win it all.
“I’ve said from the beginning. This feels like home and it has and it just continues to feel better and better,” Mayfield said. “Just like I said many times, they allow me to be myself, the best version of that. So that’s the best part.
“Obviously, I’m happy to be here. Happy I have a home, but we have a lot unfinished business and things we know we have to do to take the next step. … It’s not just about the division title, it’s about making a run to the Super Bowl.”
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