This offseason, Baker Mayfield found the stability in his NFL career that had been missing in recent seasons when he was rewarded for his resurgent 2023 season with a lucrative long-term deal to remain with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Still, 2024 didn't come without change, as he had to absorb a new offensive scheme for the fourth time in 24 months. Dave Canales left his offensive coordinator post to take over as the Carolina Panthers' head coach, and Liam Coen was hired to replace him.
The Bucs obviously found some offensive success under Canales, given the team's advancement to the Divisional Round of the playoffs and Coen's job offer from a division rival. Most notably, Mayfield had his own career year with 4,044 passing yards, 28 touchdown passes and first Pro Bowl invitation. However, they are excited about the potential for that offense to get even better under Coen's direction. On Wednesday, as Mayfield closed in on his first live game action in the new system, he was asked what the central strength of Coen's offense is and his answer started with a single word.
"Versatility," said Mayfield. "I think with us improving the running game and bringing the pieces back that we have at receiver, and then adding a few pieces, as well, just in the skill group department… I think versatility is going to be our biggest weapon. Lining up and having teams decide how they want to defend us. Our guys have to be able to react and adapt to that. We're teaching the game right now and I think our guys are going to be able to handle that."
Mayfield and most of the Bucs' starters sat out the first two preseason contests but are going to get an extended look on Friday night against the Miami Dolphins. From the sideline, Mayfield witnessed a decidedly more effective rushing attack, which has produced 106.0 yards per game and 4.42 yards per carry, the latter of which ranks fourth among all NFL teams this summer. Tampa Bay was dead last in both categories last season.
Coen has advertised an intent to diversify the run scheme rather than lean heavily on one or two concepts, such as duo or wide-zone. The idea is to make it harder for opposing teams to guess which way the ball will be going. Pre-snap motion and shifts at a much higher rate than last year adds to the disguise. The Bucs have revamped the interior of their offensive line, particularly with rookie first-rounder Graham Barton stepping in at center, and Coen's schemes are playing to the athleticism and physicality of the team's linemen.
"I think the physical aspect is where we really improved last year later in the year," said Mayfield. "I think our guys understand that that's what we have to play with to be successful. When it comes to the running game, we have to [be physical]. Then our guys outside are going to play physical, as well. I'm going to keep going back to the run game, everybody is involved in it – the motion, the blocking down field, the differences in a 6-yard gain and a 20-yard gain. We're really harping on those things to bring this whole thing together. We should be extremely explosive, but physical at the same time."
Coen is also amplifying the Bucs' versatility by injecting more of it into the huddle itself. The quarterbacks are frequently given multiple potential calls and the agency to move from one to another in the huddle or at the line based on what the defense is presenting. Mayfield said Coen has helped him by making it so he never feels "handcuffed" at the line of scrimmage.
"He has given me all of the answers to possibly have – [it's] getting up there and making the right checks," said the quarterback. "To be able to process that information really quickly is what he harps on in the QB room, of getting us into a good position, 'If it doesn't look right, get out of it. You have the power to do so. I'm teaching you guys that. Go out and do it and put us in a good position to have success.'
"Not feeling handcuffed at the line of scrimmage is always a good feeling, but you've got to know where you're going to go with it. So, the preparation is where he is really going to have us ready and we're all going to be on the same page when it comes to the whole offense. He wants us to take control of it. Communicate with those guys about, 'When I'm seeing a certain look, this is what I'm going to get to,' so guys can play fast and free."
Mayfield has seen enough in practices, including the competitive ones with the Jaguars last week in Jacksonville, to believe the Bucs' new offense is going to be effective. He still wants to get a little live action within the scheme before the regular season because it is so much more diverse. There's a lot of moving parts and Mayfield wants to experience directing it in a way so that it runs smoothly.
"Communication – I think procedurally-wise, that's really what you're looking for in preseason games," he said. "But [also], for us to be extremely sharp when it comes to the plays we're going to run. Obviously, since we're not all playing that long, to be really dialed in to the first few third-down calls, red zone calls and critical situations that we might have – [to] be really keyed into that, communicate well and execute. No dumb mistakes. Play good offensive football and go from there."
Where will the Bucs' offense go from there. Only time will tell, but an emphasis on versatility both on the ground and through the air could have it on an upward trajectory.
