Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week in Week 15 for his four-touchdown performance in a 40-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. The NFL announced that and all their weekly awards at noon on Wednesday, about an hour into the Buccaneers' walk-through on the practice fields behind the AdventHealth Training Center. Mayfield didn't know, but his coach, Todd Bowles, had advanced knowledge that the announcement was coming.
It's an impressive honor. Mayfield has won Player of the Week five times now, but this was his first such award in 2024. In the post-practice huddle, Bowles shared the welcome news. The Buccaneers were happy for Mayfield, obviously, but they didn't exactly conduct a lengthy celebration.
"We clap, we move on; that's all you get," Bowles said later with a laugh. "There's no cakes or anything like that. You move on. It's like 'Huh, that was nice.' Move on."
Mayfield wasn't insulted. In fact, it was what he expected. You might occasionally get a pat on the back from a coach; you're more likely to get a sardonic comment, and he likes it that way.
"You've got to have thick skin to be around our group," said Mayfield, who isn't exactly shy about dishing out the trash talk during games. "Anybody can get it any time, anywhere. It doesn't matter who it is. That's the best part about the group. You have a good game? Move on. Got to do it again."
View pictures from Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice on Thursday, 12/19/2024.
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Tight End Ko Kieft #41 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Guard Cody Mauch #69 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Inside Linebacker K.J. Britt #52 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Safety Christian Izien #29 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Safety Christian Izien #29 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Safety Christian Izien #29 an Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Wide Receivers Coach Bryan McClendon of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Guard Cody Mauch #69 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Safety Christian Izien #29 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Safety Christian Izien #29 an Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Quarterbacks Coach Thaddeus Lewis of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Cornerback Dallis Flowers #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - General Manager Jason Licht during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Defensive Lineman William Gholston #92 and Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Offensive Lineman Robert Hainsey #70 and Offensive Line Coach Kevin Carberry of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Assistant Offensive Line Coach Brian Picucci of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Senior Offensive Assistant Tom Moore during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Senior Offensive Assistant Tom Moore during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka #9 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Jose Ramirez #33 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Wide Receiver Ryan Miller #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Wide Receiver Jalen McMillan #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Senior Offensive Assistant Tom Moore and Keairez Coleman during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Wide Receiver Jalen McMillan #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Senior Offensive Assistant Tom Moore and Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Senior Offensive Assistant Tom Moore and Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Senior Offensive Assistant Tom Moore and Wide Receiver Kameron Johnson #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 and Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Senior Offensive Assistant Tom Moore during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 and Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Buccaneers Legend Tony Dungy during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 19, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The topic of how Bowles and his staff interacts with players came up on Wednesday in a discussion about how he keeps the team focused and grounded when things are going well and the national recognition starts to grow. Bowles doesn't need his team reading its own headlines, in good times and in bad. It's a good time right now, as the Bucs have won four in a row and are in control of their own destiny as they seek a fourth straight NFC title. Before that, when the team was losing five of six up to its Week 11 bye, it was bad.
"We didn't listen when we were losing," said Bowles, once again ending with a laugh. "We're not listening now that we're winning, so that's not going to be a big deal. We have enough sarcastic coaches and sarcastic players to insult people to keep everybody grounded so that we're all ready to work so that's not a problem at all. We get shots in all the time."
Rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan, who has three touchdown catches in his last two games, says he's more likely to hear comments about his mustache than his end zone trips, but he's able to take them with a grain of salt. He's okay with that sort of dialogue, too.
"They're going to keep you humble at the end of the day, but that's how it should be," said McMillan. "You shouldn't get a big head over just one good game. So, we're working on being consistent and just winning out."
Second-year defensive lineman Calijah Kancey has another term for the banter between Bucs coaches and players: tough love.
"Yeah, that's the way it is around here," he said. "It's just tough love, keeping us grounded, not listening to the [noise] outside, and going off what we know in here and what we believe in between each other."
