\u2014 Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) June 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cCoaches like to talk this time of the year,\u201d Mayfield said following the first practice of mandatory minicamp Tuesday. \u201cSit down and watch tape.\u201d<\/p>\n When reminded the coaches are only trying to protect him, he becomes more dismissive. <\/p>\n \u201cThey are,\u201d said Mayfield, smiling. \u201cAnd I\u2019m trying to win games. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s football. There\u2019s a time and place. On third downs, you\u2019ve got to have situations where I\u2019m going to try and do everything I can to get the first down or whatever we need. But there\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n \u201cA lot of that was from was holding onto the ball. There\u2019s give and take. There\u2019s the scramble element trying to create explosive plays. But also, the situations in the game, where are we at? Are we leading? Don\u2019t force the ball and trust our defense to get it back for us.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n With Grizzard, who joined the staff last season as the passing game coordinator, there at least is continuity within the system. <\/p>\n Stay updated on Tampa Bay\u2019s sports scene<\/p>\n Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter<\/p>\n We\u2019ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida\u2019s college football teams every day.<\/p>\n You\u2019re all signed\u00a0up!<\/p>\n Want more of our free, weekly newsletters\u00a0in\u00a0your\u00a0inbox? Let\u2019s\u00a0get\u00a0started.<\/p>\n Explore all your options<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe addressed not only him but the whole unit,\u201d Grizzard said. \u201cThe turnovers were unacceptable and it\u2019s not just him or the backs or receivers, but being something that needs to go down from where it was last year.\u201d<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n The Bucs still have Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan and rookie Emeka Egbuka, the first-round pick from Ohio State.<\/p>\n Mayfield says he has been impressed by Egbuka\u2019s understanding of the game and precise route-running during the offseason.<\/p>\n \u201cThe thing that sticks out is how cerebral he is,\u201d Mayfield said. \u201cHe\u2019s 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\u2019s just him being a pro already. He\u2019s not a rookie. He doesn\u2019t act like it at least, so it\u2019s been good to see him take that ownership. He takes it extremely serious but he\u2019s in constant communication.<\/p>\n \u201cHe always wants to be at the right spot at the right time. He\u2019s 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\u2019s a nice luxury to have.\u201d<\/p>\n 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\u2019s in the second year of a three-year, $100 million contract. <\/p>\n He and wife Emily own a home on Davis Islands and have a 14-month-old daughter.<\/p>\n What\u2019s missing, however, is the Lombardi Trophy. Mayfield says the Bucs have the talent to win it all. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve said from the beginning. This feels like home and it has and it just continues to feel better and better,\u201d Mayfield said. \u201cJust like I said many times, they allow me to be myself, the best version of that. So that\u2019s the best part. <\/p>\n \u201cObviously, I\u2019m 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\u2019s not just about the division title, it\u2019s about making a run to the Super Bowl.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2022 \u2022 \u2022<\/p>\n Sign up for our Sports Today newsletter<\/a> to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.<\/p>\n Every weekday, tune into our Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast<\/a> to hear reporter Rick Stroud break down the biggest stories in Tampa Bay sports.<\/p>\n Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on X<\/a> and Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\nBaker Mayfield completed 71.4% of his passes last season, but he and the Bucs know they have to cut down on turnovers. [\u00a0JEFFEREE WOO | Times\u00a0]<\/p>\n