Baker’s Bucking Buccaneer Success

(Image via John Babiak/Buc Nation)

By: Lucas Kochevar

There aren’t many better stories in football than Baker Mayfield and what he’s done over the course of his career. From walk-on to Heisman winner to number one overall pick to almost out of the league to thriving starter. He’ll have a number of stories to tell his children and grandchildren whenever the time comes. For now, he’s looking to lead the Buccaneers to the promised land.

He’s led the Buccaneers to two playoff appearances in the two seasons he’s been there and has thrown for over 4,000 yards in those seasons. Mayfield has revitalized his career in Tampa and is a top ten quarterback. He continued his success last season despite losing his playcaller, Dave Canales, and he’ll have to prove he can do it again after losing another playcaller in Liam Coen.

It's a challenge he’s familiar with and he’ll have plenty of weapons to take on the new challenge under new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard. He’s a 34-year old that earned the promotion internally from the Bucs. He was their passing game coordinator and already has a big connection with the passing attack. 

The Buccaneers have been fortunate to have weapons like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin for years. It was huge when the Bucs brought back Godwin, despite bigger offers elsewhere. I still think the Bucs are at their best outside of those two guys. Young tight end Cade Otton broke out in moments and then the Buccaneers doubled down on their weapons by picking Ohio State standout Emeka Egbuka in the first round. The Bucs offensive depth chart shows guys in the second and third string that could easily be starters around the league. 

Bringing up all these weapons leads back to the guy that’ll be distributing the ball to these guys, Baker Mayfield. In the end, it’s on Mayfield to evenly get these guys touches and win games. It’ll be a big year for a team that needs a deep run after a recent string of first round exits. Mayfield will be the head of a snake in the NFC that could turn some heads with big offensive numbers.