Derrick Brooks: Sign Baker Mayfield And Mike Evans Or “You Have To Let Them Walk”
January 28th, 2024
Buccaneers legend Derrick Brooks has an all-or-nothing mentality when he looks at the Tampa Bay offense.
Brooks knows a lot about being a superstar veteran player and he’s studied their successes and failures.
Speaking on the Brooks and Beckles podcast, No. 55 said the Bucs have found what works with Mike Evans and if they can’t continue it, then it’s time to move on.
“At this point in Mike’s career, the consistency has obviously showed. He’s, for another year, defied the decline. … He’s fought that off,” Brooks said. “But we know that happens. Father Time never loses. Either sign [Baker Mayfield and Evans] back or you have to let them walk. That’s just Derrick Brooks.
“I don’t want Mike at this point in his career dealing with a young quarterback and the growth path that takes. Man, that’s a lot at this point in his career. … The productivity is still high, but can that productivity sustain itself with a young quarterback versus a veteran quarterback? And you think about the last three years, his numbers have been there because of who’s been at quarterback. A veteran quarterback has been here. So I would like to say that’s been the path of success. I’d like him to stay on it versus a young quarterback.”
Brooks makes a strong point and he was wondering aloud whether Chris Godwin could succeed in Evans’ role if the greatest receiver in Bucs history moved on.
Joe gets the package-deal thinking with Evans and Mayfield. But Joe doesn’t see the Bucs blowing up the offense intentionally. No way. If Mayield can’t reach a multi-year deal with the team, then the Bucs will slap the franchise tag on him
If not, well, then let Team Glazer and general manager Jason Licht explain to fans why they let a successful quarterback under 30, the best QB in the division, walk out of the building.
January 28th, 2024 at 10:33 am
Playoffs 4 years in row, SB win, 3 division championships. Let’s fire everyone lol. Some of you folks I would not want to work for.
As far as Baker and Evans…our top brass knows what they are doing. Have a little faith. We have a great GM and consistency in the coaching ranks.
January 28th, 2024 at 10:56 am
Let them both go and let’s start this rebuild please. We have some great young players. Hire Johnson for oc (phillys ex oc. Who was trasks oc at Florida and let’s do it right
January 28th, 2024 at 11:22 am
Sign or let them walk. I’m sorry but is there some other choice I’m missing Captain Obvious?
January 28th, 2024 at 11:30 am
Bucsmarley: Yeah, good thinking. Let’s blow everything up because we didn’t get to the playoffs this year and nearly made it to the NFC Championship!
Sign Baker, Mike and Winfield. Pick up a center, guard and DE in the draft or FA.
If you have to guess whether Thad Lewis can do the job, then he can’t. However, I think he can. Hiring him as the OC assures consistency within the offense. Let’s move on already before someone grabs him.
January 28th, 2024 at 11:35 am
Keep Baker…Mike can walk. He wants way too much money for a 31 yr old WR
No thanks.
January 28th, 2024 at 11:37 am
All I think it is not going to a wonder of the GM, it will be on Baker & Evans to want to stay and sign likely at a reduced price that they could get on the open market.
January 28th, 2024 at 11:39 am
Hire Godwin’s wife as OC. She juiced it up more than anyone, last year.
January 28th, 2024 at 11:50 am
Gonna be a lot of back-loaded deals, a bunch of voidable years, so this team will be in cap hell again in 3-5 years.
January 28th, 2024 at 11:53 am
You may see Carolina or Atlanta take a run at Mayfield he has history with both staff and both need a vet QB.
Mayfield/Evans at Car would be a major splash and ease the criticism on Tepper. Plus they could let Young sit for a year or two while they build a team around him.
January 28th, 2024 at 12:11 pm
We haven’t been that great the last 2 years. Lucky to make the playoffs both years. Blown out by cowboys and played a reeling eagles team. I feel like we are about to get passed up by the rest of the division within the next 2 years unless we make the exact perfect moves. We have to resign them both. But we can’t stay status quo. Licht and Bowles have to be perfect with there decisions and free agent acquisitions and drafts for the next few years. And I mean perfect. Because the Falcons and Panthers are coming. We gotta stay a step ahead of them.
January 28th, 2024 at 12:20 pm
Detroit and Philadelphia both had top 5 OL’s. Didn’t help Philly in the playoff because their “stars” are prima donna malcontents. Someone suggested DW45 would be a good fit there. AMEN lol
OTOH…everybody has dissected the game last week play by play. Any game can change on a couple of plays. ONE thing that NEVER changed in that game is how the Lions OWNED both sides of the trenches!!!
CHANGE THAT and the Bucs can really compete with the team they have. IF they draft the right big uglies in the first 4 rounds…another OG and Center and TWO players who are freaking BEASTS at getting after the QB…the Bucs are looking good for the future…almost certainly. IF instead they go out and dump a wad on a first round QB…what’s to make the difference. Tom Brady sucked behind a bad OL for heaven’s sake. A great RPO QB may provide a bit of a band aid…but just stop screwing around BUILD THE TRENCHES and the rest will follow.
January 28th, 2024 at 12:22 pm
Bucs’n’Bucks Says:
January 28th, 2024 at 11:22 am
Sign or let them walk. I’m sorry but is there some other choice I’m missing Captain Obvious?
He is saying sign both or let them both walk. Don’t try and sign one or the other.
January 28th, 2024 at 12:42 pm
“Bucsmarley Says:
January 28th, 2024 at 10:56 am
Let them both go and let’s start this rebuild please. We have some great young players. Hire Johnson for oc (phillys ex oc. Who was trasks oc at Florida and let’s do it right”
You’re so desperate to ‘see what Trask has’ that you wanna tank the season? The Bucs found a QB in Mayfield, but nah… let’s ride Trask to a top 10 pick instead.
January 28th, 2024 at 12:46 pm
Highest Career Postseason Passer Rating, Active NFL Quarterbacks (min. 3 games)
Quarterback Team(s) Rating
Patrick Mahomes Chiefs 106.7
Matthew Stafford Lions/Rams 101.7
Brock Purdy 49ers 101.0
Baker Mayfield Browns/Bucs 100.4
Aaron Rodgers Packers 100.1
January 28th, 2024 at 12:46 pm
Don’t be surprised at anything these cheap Glazers do. But they did pay Brady. Just don’t be surprised at any direction they go. After all. We are the BUCS.
January 28th, 2024 at 12:53 pm
We got farther than anyone thought, after Brady. Surprised many sport analysts.
We do need to keep Evans and Baker, but also have a strong backup QB too.
January 28th, 2024 at 1:05 pm
sign mayfield and evans or you have to let them walk…
gotta love it…who thought this ultimatum up ???
is there an option number 3, like go smoke a joint with them by the hillsborough river…?
January 28th, 2024 at 1:09 pm
wait if you don’t sign them, can you just keep them as “prisoners of the team” in the underbelly of the stadium or something
slipping them food and water through a slot in a doorway and letting them sleep on cots in the boiler room…
let me know if this is feasible…check with all the gold jacket bucs and see what they think about holding guys hostage – so they can’t leave and play for someone else – yet can’t play for us either…
this can be a new option for all nfl teams…your star players held hostage, yet unsigned !!
January 28th, 2024 at 1:26 pm
Stpetebucfan I agree with you, although I believe that we only need a center on offense, Our guard’s are good, Stinnie is a seasoned vet he’s solid but I do admit that he is a lot better at right guard and Cody Mauch is going to get stronger and be a beast with attitude so if we can get a strong center we would be set. The Dline needs at least 2 solid edge rushers and I believe that’s why we lost so many games. We didn’t get enough pressure.
January 28th, 2024 at 1:28 pm
Mike Johnson, you weren’t around when Craperhouse was the owner. Glazer Boyz aren’t cheap.
January 28th, 2024 at 1:36 pm
Sign them both up to new contracts and have big stipulations involved, for every dropped or fumbled pass Evans would be deducted big chunks of money and incentives.for Mayfield every interception or fumble,international grounding would result in same deducted actions ,monetary and incentives.then get completely new linebacker corp. and completely new smart secondary that can intercept, catch,tackle without arm and hand grabbing tackling. Get new special teams with a bigger n better return runner.dont forget we need a big strong running back who will run forward ,north. Not run 10 -15yards to the sidelines. Good luck bucs! Oh wait, a new head coach plus off & Def. Coach.better blocking ect. Ect..just saying.lol
January 28th, 2024 at 1:54 pm
RE: Sign or let them walk. I’m sorry but is there some other choice I’m missing Captain Obvious?
Some of you lack critical thinking. He’s saying sign them both or let them both go. Keeping one without the other won’t work as well. Let Evans go so he doesn’t need to deal with a rebuild. Keeping Baker without Mike makes no sense given their chemistry.
January 28th, 2024 at 2:17 pm
Baker’s price tag. 15 mil is fair. 20+ overpaying. 30 is getting ripped off. I watched every single snap this year. A lot of QBs come into the NFL and get chewed out up by going to bad teams/schemes but they would have success in TB with this cast. At best Baker is an above average QB on an above average to good offense. You should expect above average to good stats. Not great. Not elite. Good. 28-10 TD/INT ratio looks nice but 15+ dropped interceptions. Should’ve thrown an extra 10+ TDs. I know it happens to most QBs every season but I only watch every play of TB.
January 28th, 2024 at 2:20 pm
Very High Priority: Mike Evans, Tristan Wirfs, Antoine Winfield, Lavonte David
Medium Priority: Baker Mayfield
Low Priority: Devin White
Mike put up 1000+ yards with Glennon, McCown, Winston, Fitzpatrick, Brady, and now Baker. Put up big stats with Manziel at TAMU. Plug any QB not named JaMarcus or Zach in there and he’ll be fine.
January 28th, 2024 at 2:42 pm
“ Gipper Says:
January 28th, 2024 at 12:46 pm
Highest Career Postseason Passer Rating, Active NFL Quarterbacks (min. 3 games)
Quarterback Team(s) Rating
Patrick Mahomes Chiefs 106.7
Matthew Stafford Lions/Rams 101.7
Brock Purdy 49ers 101.0
Baker Mayfield Browns/Bucs 100.4
Aaron Rodgers Packers 100.1”
Good stat, but the Bucs aren’t playing today. 2 picks didn’t help the matter.
January 28th, 2024 at 3:05 pm
“these cheap Glazers do.”
Sorry to disagree Mike and I understand where that comes from.
The Glazers bet the family fortune, completely overleveraging to get Man U.
That’s how Rah got his first opportunity before he was ready and yep the Glazers were FORCED to cut corners until they pulled off the ManU deal.
WHY did they do this? DUH…Man U is currently valued at 6.5 BILLION…the Bucs have improved to 4.2 BILLION. Whatever we may think of the move financially the Glazers were genius!
Once they did that the Glazers have been anything but cheap. Tampa is blessed to have 2 of our 3 professional sports owned by classy owners…The Glazers are fine…Vinik may be the best in all of sports….alas the Ray’s have New York Carpetbagger and consummate liar Stu Sternberg!
January 28th, 2024 at 3:14 pm
Frankie Luvu & Brian Burns should be on the radar. Burns will probably exceed the budget but Luvu should be affordable and he brings it on every play.
After next season it would be great if the could get Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
All three are nice dreams to have….
January 28th, 2024 at 3:15 pm
Sorry Brooks, but I strongly disagree.
Mike made Glennon look like a viable NFL QB.
Mike made Baker look like a viable NFL QB.
Mike will make nearly any QB look like a viable NFL QB.
If you don’t sign Mike, then yeah, there’s no reason to bring back Baker, but it doesn’t work the other way around. To be clear, I have no issues bringing back Baker, but not at the expense of losing Evans or Winfield.
January 28th, 2024 at 4:11 pm
Love that response to my post. You say you believe if we don’t sign them we are going to throw the season away😂😂. That’s what we were told this season. Sorry you are never going to convince me that baker is worth that kind of money. Heck Flacco almost won as many games coming off his couch. I m not saying Trask is the guy but the price is right. Build the oline and any drafted nfl qb should have the ability to win games. Not arguing that I love bakers heart but be real he is a .500 qb
January 28th, 2024 at 4:12 pm
I still believe Wyoming Joe is baker’s agent
January 28th, 2024 at 4:23 pm
They may put a ‘non-exclusive’ tag on Bakefield if they think he is worth 30 million plus.
January 28th, 2024 at 4:26 pm
Trask can not ‘run around’ like Bakefield and Bowles wants a QB who can run around.
January 28th, 2024 at 5:03 pm
Let him walk then. To sign Mayfield the team will lose valuable team mates and regress. The Bucs lost to the saints and the offense scored 9 points against the worst team in the NFL with the playoffs on the line. No the bucs need to get better not worse by losing talent.
January 28th, 2024 at 5:51 pm
No way you can sign both
January 28th, 2024 at 6:25 pm
After watching this game if you are a real bucs fan you have to ask your self this question can Baker get you to a superbowl ? That’s why I want a quarterback in the draft because we ain’t going to a superbowl with Baker Mayfield!!
January 28th, 2024 at 6:57 pm
Oneilbuc Says:
January 28th, 2024 at 6:25 pm
After watching this game if you are a real bucs fan you have to ask your self this question can Baker get you to a superbowl ? That’s why I want a quarterback in the draft because we ain’t going to a superbowl with Baker Mayfield!!
_________
Maybe you are not, but pretty sure the Steelers will get to the Super Bowl (multiple times) with Baker Mayfield.
January 28th, 2024 at 7:35 pm
Which QB in this draft is going to guarantee a Super Bowl appearance?
January 28th, 2024 at 8:53 pm
Baker Mayfield is just to inconsistent for me to be our franchise quarterback!! I get y’all love the guy but he is inconsistent. And that’s not hate it’s just the truth and we have the proof to back it up.
January 29th, 2024 at 8:08 am
Baker is a frachise Qb n 4 the DUMB people saying that he is inconsistent he had 4,000 pass ydd 28 TDs 10 Ints the same as Goff n the other TOP QBs he played like that in year 1 of learning a offense n had NO RUNNING GAME n a 1st time play caller who looked lost alot of the games Baker saved this offense with his arm with little to no help 4rm the running game.The reason bucs lost in Detroit wasnt Baker fault Todd Bowles had a weak game plan n didnt put NO pressure on Goff n let him carve up that weak Zone coverage when he should’ve been playing man n sending a blitzer 4rm different positions…. Plus Canales should’ve went deep more to Evans and exposed that corner Sutton who everyone clearly saw couldn’t cover……Without Baker this year this team is done Trask is a worser Sam Darnold n will never be a starting QB they see him everyday in practice 4 2 years n know he is a BUST they just said it was a Qb Competition to shut the fans up they knew Baker was the starter when they wanted 2 sign him…. Bowles wanted him coming out the draft in New York he know Baker a Franchise QB… Its JUST YOU IDIOTS WHO LISTEN TO THE MEDIA HATE NARRATIVE ON BAKER everywhere he goes he wins……
January 29th, 2024 at 8:28 am
Brooks is right, we gotta ride the wave while it’s still going.
January 29th, 2024 at 9:01 am
Seems very difficult to pay two players more than the entire coaching staff, then talk trash about a head coach and a very good one at that.
January 29th, 2024 at 10:41 am
Twan. Please throwing for 4,000 yards that he barely got is not hard especially when you are playing 17 games. This is his first time in his career to throw for 4,000 yards and he had a better team in Cleveland. In Cleveland he had a top o line and a good running game with good receivers and he still couldn’t get 4,000 yards passing. Baker Mayfield is not a franchise quarterback and I don’t care what his fan boys say . We are not winning a superbowl with Baker Mayfield. He choked against the Lions with 2 minutes left to play he is who he is a average to below average quarterback. It’s time for the bucs to move on from all these bandaid players like Baker Mayfield.
January 29th, 2024 at 10:43 am
Twan. And Sam Donald took Baker Mayfield job lol 🤣🤣!!