Sports Illustrated Makes Disappointing Prediction For Bucs Quarterback Baker Mayfield In 2023
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Tampa Bay's offense is going to have a different look in 2023 with a new quarterback under center after Tom Brady retired earlier this year. The team has three candidates that are vying to replace him in pewter and red - Baker Mayfield, Kyle Trask, and John Wolford.
Many pundits and experts around the league are giving Mayfield a leg up in the job due to his experience at the professional level. The former No. 1 overall pick has appeared in 72 career games compared to seven for Wolford and one for Trask.
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Plus, it's hard to doubt his talent even though he's coming off a down year where he split time with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams after being traded by the Cleveland Browns. After all, it's only been a few years since Mayfield tossed 26 touchdowns to eight interceptions while guiding the Browns to double-digit victories and a playoff win in 2020.
Mayfield's reputation isn't earning him a ton of respect or expectations ahead of a season where he's hoping to bounce back.
Last week, Sports Illustrated's David Conor released 100 bold predictions for the NFL season. Among those predictions was a disappointing outcome for Mayfield, who Conor predicts to throw a mere 16 touchdowns in 2023. If correct, the mark would be the second-worst in a single season.
"21. Baker Mayfield will throw for 16 touchdowns
"The Buccaneers’ quarterback, who is helping to buoy the franchise during its post–Tom Brady half-tank, will have a solid campaign, certainly enough to vault him into a perpetual roster spot for however long he pleases. Will he be the Geno Smith surprise of the year? Probably not. But he will outplay the circumstances, as he has done fairly consistently throughout his career."
To say the least, it would be considered a failure if Mayfield only throws for 16 touchdowns as that'll mean Tampa Bay's offense didn't reach its full potential. With talents such as wide receiver Mike Evans, wide receiver Chris Godwin, wide receiver Russell Gage, running back Rachaad White, tight end Cade Otton, center Ryan Jensen, and offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs, the Buccaneers are hoping to be more consistent than last year.
In 2022, Tom Brady threw 25 touchdowns to nine interceptions while Tampa Bay finished with the worst rushing offense in the NFL.
Balance is something that new offensive coordinator Dave Canales is looking to change as he transitions to the Buccaneers from Seattle. As quarterbacks coach for the Seahawks last season, Canales helped veteran signal-caller Geno Smith to his best season at the professional level. Smith was named to the Pro Bowl after completing 69.8% of his passes for 4,282 yards with 30 touchdown passes to 11 interceptions.
There is hope that he'll be able to do something similar with Mayfield as the quarterback moves on to the fourth franchise of his NFL career.
During his five years at the professional level, Mayfield has completed 61.4% of his passes for 16,288 yards with 102 touchdown passes to 64 interceptions. He's also rushed for 660 yards and six more scores on the ground.
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