Bucs’ Bowles Likes Baker Mayfield’s ‘Moxie, Leadership Skills’

Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles is thrilled about his opportunity to work with Baker Mayfield as Tampa Bay revamps its roster and prepares for a 2023 NFL season that will not include seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady under center.

When Mayfield signed his one-year deal with the franchise in March, it marked a new start for the former 2017 Heisman Trophy winner. However, it was not his first interaction with Bowles, who spoke with Mayfield at Oklahoma ahead of the ’18 NFL draft.

Five years later, Bowles will get to work with the quarterback that he feels he has a strong mental connection with, as well as one that is bold and plays with spunk and grit. 

“You liked his moxie,” Bowles said, per ESPN. “You liked his leadership skills. You liked the way he could get out and throw on the run some. … Guys naturally gravitate towards [Mayfield]. He has an excitement he brings toward the game. And he’s hungry.”

Mayfield will compete with Kyle Trask for the Buccaneers starting quarterback position next season. While he may not have the long track record of success like Brady, he has shown glimpses of stellar play during moments of his career. When the Rams landed Mayfield off waivers on Dec. 6, he threw for 850 yards and four touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 63.6% of his passes in the final five games of the season.

But prior to his Rams’ stint, he went 1–6 as a starter with the Panthers and was released by Carolina after just seven games. With the Browns, the team that selected Mayfield at No. 1 in the 2018 NFL draft, he recorded a 29–30 record through four seasons.

Nevertheless, it appears that Bowles believes in Mayfield and what he can bring to the franchise.