Baker Mayfield, Kingmaker
July 21st, 2025
Next beneficiary?
Should Bucs fans be worried?
No, Joe is not talking about Tristan Wirfs or Chris Godwin. Joe is talking about a guy who will never step on the field.
Josh Grizzard takes over as Bucs offensive coordinator, succeeding perhaps the second-best playcaller the Bucs have ever had, Liam Coen. Super Bowl-winning head coach Bucco Bruce Arians was the best.
As Ted Nguyen of The Athletic recently pointed out on Twitter, Baker Mayfield is a “kingmaker.” The last two years he has made largely untested, first-year coordinators head coaches almost overnight. That’s Dave Canales and Coen.
So here is the conundrum for Bucs fans: If the Bucs do well this season, it stands to reason the offense will be strong. So that makes Grizzard a prime candidate to be atop head coach candidate trees.
NFL owners love offense. And why shouldn’t they? Offenses drive the NFL engine. Big offenses often lead to big wins. Offenses attract fans like moths to a porch light. Offenses excite fan bases. And most importantly, offenses = revenue, the highest value of owners.
So if the Bucs win another division, and just as important if the Bucs win a game or two in the playoffs (or more?), look for Grizzard’s name to be in the rumor mill come January.
Unless, of course, the Bucs offense goes into the tank.
July 21st, 2025 at 6:48 am
Will be interesting to see how Coen works out in Jacksonville. Bucs had (still have) a lot of weapons on Offense which has to make things a lot easier for an OC
July 21st, 2025 at 7:04 am
I feel the same way Steven, If Coen and Canales have bad or average offensives maybe people with realize it’s the Jimmys and Joes, not as much the coaches. I Think we have Gizzard will be here at least 2 years.
July 21st, 2025 at 7:28 am
Let’s just hope that the Bucs have such a stellar season that Grizzard gets serious looks as a head coach candidate. I am predicting 12 wins, but that may be a bit optimistic.
Most importantly, at this point of the season – BEAT ATLANTA!!!!
July 21st, 2025 at 7:34 am
Baker is a great QB but no QB is a king maker or a king slayer. Good coaches will shine with him, bad coaches will have some of their flaws masked by his good play and terrible coaches will expose their own shortcomings.
July 21st, 2025 at 7:41 am
I’m really hoping that Grizzard does well, but I think he isn’t as good as people say he is. I think most of it will be Baker Mayfield operating the offense from the line of scrimmage, and then Grizzard reading from a playbook from the previous year with some new wrinkles from his time with Miami. He is such an unknown to go from nobody to HC in a year. Not to be rude or anything, but both Canales and Coen were known in NFL circles or college for years before getting an OC position.
Hopefully we win the Superbowl so I can stop watching football after I rest my baker truther laurels.
July 21st, 2025 at 7:42 am
OK, curiosity got me Joe. If Baker was ‘the kingmaker’ for Dave Canales & Liam Coen, then wouldn’t Tom Brady also be a ‘kingmaker’ for Bruce Arians & Byron Leftwich? Heck, Bucs were 7-9, no playoffs in 2019 but then Brady shows up & we win the Super Bowl, then go on in 2021 to our best season record ever.
And George, I’m really hoping that we can keep Grizz here for at least 2 years. If he’s good the 1st year, he should be absolutely great the 2nd year after a year of OJT.
July 21st, 2025 at 8:02 am
Wow what a difference a year makes. Last year at this time there was a significant debate about how the loss of Canales was going to hurt the Bucs and whether it was Baker or Canales most responsiblie for the Bucs success.
Now that the question has been answered we’ve moved to Coen. I still take Baker but with the caveat the TALENT has made a huge difference. Lot easier to look good for OC or QB when you have a top 5 OL, top 5 RB, top 5 group of targets for your QB.
I do not buy into Joe’s fears about losing Grizzard if the Bucs succeed. The situations are totally different. Coen was “credited’ with helping turn around a sinking ship. Coen had to take what might have been a final shot. Griz is EXPECTED to win double digits, doing it is not as flashy.
In addition Griz is a very bright guy in his mid 30’s. He can see how important ORGANIZATIONS are to success. IF Liam and/or Canales have any struggles it will just amplify that. IF Jason and the Glazers determine Griz is integral to the Bucs success they’ll simply guarantee him Todd’s job. Todd is a few years away at his age and if the Bucs win a SB I wouldn’t be surprised to see him pull a BA and retire with a SB as a Player, DC, HC. Quite a trifecta!
July 21st, 2025 at 8:17 am
Panthers 6 HCs since firing Ron Rivera in 2019.
Jags have had different 4 HCs since 2020.
King Maker? Or are these guys getting lured away by 2 different franchises riding the coaching carousel like we were from ’09 to ’22?
July 21st, 2025 at 8:21 am
Tom Brady was the difference maker for the Patriots and made Belichek
Tom Brady made Belichek look like a King Pin. That peridym changed the following year for the Patriots without Tom Brady.
Baker with Canales and Coen excelled and the both got Head Coaching jobs.
GRIZ could have the same benefit of Baker making him look like a difference maker.
At some point Team owners will see who is the Difference Maker
July 21st, 2025 at 8:36 am
After the Bucs win this year’s Super Bowl, Bowles retires/gets kicked upstairs and Griz becomes the new Head Coach of the Buccaneers.
Oh yeah, the Bucs will be wearing their white Creamsicle uniforms in the SB.
Hey, it could happen!
July 21st, 2025 at 8:44 am
Oklahoma takes their football seriously. And our offense sucked last year. So we reached into the portal and grabbed the best QB available. Mateer from Washington State. Got their OC while we were at it. Mateer was having a hard time making his decision so the Sooners got Baker to give the kid a call. That did the trick and we’ve got a new QB. Hope his King Maker rep transfers from coaches to players.
July 21st, 2025 at 9:21 am
Has Dean been injured yet?
July 21st, 2025 at 9:26 am
Grizzard will be top notch. The kid graduated from Yale. Learning to call plays in critical situations is not easy but it is not brain science either. This is a copycat league and everybody starts with a playbook and a game plan. He just learned from other good coaches and she is hungry. Bowles is a distinguished scholar selected my offensive coordinators.
July 21st, 2025 at 9:32 am
if coen has meh year we get to keep Grizzler
July 21st, 2025 at 9:39 am
I don’t think Liam Coen was a better playcaller than Jon Gruden
The Bucs had more offensive weapons with Coen
But Gruden won a Super Bowl, he didn’t score more points than Coen
But he knew he didn’t have to score a lot of points, because our defense. Gruden called the perfect offensive plays, complimenting our top ranked defense. He stuck with the game plan.
But l think Josh Grizzard will be an excellent playcaller
July 21st, 2025 at 10:00 am
I wonder at what point in time did Todd Monken realize that he picked the wrong job?
July 21st, 2025 at 10:06 am
Feeling good about Grizz. Not only Baker being a Kingmaker; the entire team with Todd Bowles and Jason Licht are right there too.
July 21st, 2025 at 10:08 am
I think Cohen will find that Jacksonville isn’t nearly as good of an organization as Tampa.
Grizz is going to be just fine. Let the games begin, Comodus. My beer is getting warm.
July 21st, 2025 at 10:18 am
Canales took one of the fastest cars on the track, kept it in a controlled race, and kept it on the track. 10 INT’s
Coen took it and opened it up running at full throttle. 16 INT’s
In both cases when the race had 7 cars left on the lead lap the driver put it into the wall.
To say Mayfield made them Kings discounts the hard work and success that both Canales and Coen put in and achieved thru their career.
Canales came to the Bucs because he fixed Geno Smith and Mayfield needed work. Went to the Panthers because he was 2 for 2 in that department. looks like he is on the way to being 3 for 3.
Coen benefitted greatly from the Canales foundation and it remains to be seen what will come of that @ JAX. His car won’t be as fast as the one he fell into at Tampa there and may struggle.
Mayfield is where he is because of them and the organization he discounted himself to get into and not the other way around.
Had Mayfield settled on the Giants in 2023 he would have been competing with Gardner Minshew for a spot on a roster in 2024.
July 21st, 2025 at 11:11 am
Fan of the South, it’s just coincidence after coincidence. You’re locked in.
July 21st, 2025 at 11:41 am
“Had Mayfield settled on the Giants in 2023 he would have been competing with Gardner Minshew for a spot on a roster in 2024.”
lol
July 21st, 2025 at 12:05 pm
As an X’s and O’s guy, Canales sucked. As a leader of men and a big picture guy I think he may have something. Coen on the other hand is a great x’s and o’s guy but may or may not be a great leader. The final verdict is yet to be determined in both cases. We’ll see.
Could it be that they both helped Baker in different ways and Baker helped them as well to get where they are. To say it was one way or another exclusively is disingenuous.
July 21st, 2025 at 12:07 pm
Considering that for the Bucs to do well, they’ll need at least 30ppg average, if Griz achieves that you “promote” the existing half timer at two positions to senior director of HR, and make Griz the HC. Under the condition that he hire full time coordinators and not think he’s smarter and better than everyone else and can spend 50% of his time on two jobs like someone we know.
July 21st, 2025 at 12:33 pm
Grizz’s 2024 success with 3rd down conversions should transfer over into the other play calling responsibilities. I would think one of the most stressful jobs in the NFL is deciding which play to call on 3rd down. Not 1st or 2nd downs but 3rd down. If you can thrive there, and Grizz did, you can think clearly when the pressure is on. That is probably the hardest thing about being an OC in the NFL, dealing with the pressure of getting that next play right, when millions are watching and judging you. Well, he has done that in spades. As young as he is, to have the #1 3rd down conversion rate in the NFL says a lot. They say he is very intelligent and when you mix high intelligence with the natural ability to handle pressure, it is a recipe for big time success. Couple that with the talent we have on offense, I’m telling you we are on the verge of something great!!! Then add on that we have a “coach” that deals with the clock management problem and the only thing we have to worry about in 2025 on offense is shooting ourselves in our own foot by making senseless mistakes. If we can minimize that and our injuries we are in for an awful fun season.
July 21st, 2025 at 12:54 pm
” THIS ”
This IS what I admire and in no small measure am in AWE OF Todd Bowles…. Todd Bowels can pick an OC From the Cradle! I’ve NEVER seen nor heard of such a talented eye for OC’s
If Baker Mayfield is a “King Maker” then Todd Bowles has a Real Future in being an “Offensive” (strangely enough) “Franchise Maker”. And just as soon as he retires from his stent as a head coach, he’ll make Millions targeting up and coming offensive coaching talent.
July 21st, 2025 at 12:57 pm
Mayfield? That doesn’t seem right.
Prior to the Bucs, Mayfield was a fired or released from three teams. He was a #1 pick a bust. He was a punchline to a joke.
Who made Mayfield?
Evans. Evans is the kingmaker of QBs.
July 21st, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Oh how unambiguously ignorant some can be…
July 21st, 2025 at 1:19 pm
And BTW…. This IS how Bowles will have his own NFL family tree….
It IS however Quite Strange that it’s on the “Offensive” side of the ball. Then again, you can’t put up a fantastic defensive stand without knowing Offenses Very Well.
In a way, It Does make sense.
It’s a shame that he doesn’t trust Any Other defensive coach other than himself because it’s costing us BIG Time. If he would just pick his Favorite DC and enable him to train and coach up the defense properly EVEN under Todds tutelage…. (he’s NOT a young man anymore and can not physically do it. THAT IS his Achilles Heal! Pride and no trust.)
He’ll Have To find away to get past his Ego if the secondary or worse AGAIN finishes next to last. IT’S COMPLETELY UNPROFESSIONAL for him to continue to NEGLECT his DUTY as the HEAD COACH “FIRST”!
Besides that…. He’s got a GREAT EYE for Offensive coaching. Maybe as a whole but DEFINITELY for OC’s.
The man has EARNED at least a few DOZEN Roses for picking Future Head Coaches
July 21st, 2025 at 2:09 pm
Mike Evans missed 3 games in 2024. In those 3 missed games, Baker had 1,000 yards passing. At that average for 17 games he would of had a total of 5,610 yards instead of his 4,500. He averaged 77% completion percentage instead of his 72%. Had 3.3 touchdowns for a total of 10. At this average for 17 games he would of had 56 touchdowns instead of the 41. His passer ratings were153, 97 & 95 for an average of 115. Individually, those would have led the NFL in each of those categories. Don’t get me wrong, I really like Mike, he is an indispensable part of the team but don’t misplace credit when credit is due.
3 missed 2024
5,610. 4,500-Total Yards
77% 72%-Completion %
115. 106.8-Passer Rating
56. 41-Touchdowns
It takes a team for individual greatness
July 21st, 2025 at 2:11 pm
SlyPirate….you might be right…it’s Evans!
July 21st, 2025 at 2:35 pm
Davyboy … ‘Mike Evans missed 3 games in 2024. In those 3 missed games, Baker had 1,000 yards passing.’
Not sure what 3 games you’re looking at, but might want to check again. Mike missed the 2nd Atlanta game, the Chiefs game & the 49ers game in mid-season … we LOST all 3 games.
Baker’s passing stats in those games …
o Falcons’ game (Bucs lost 31-26): Baker 37-of-50 for 330 yds, 3 TDs and 2 INTs.
o Chiefs’ game (Bucs lost 30-24): Baker 23-of-31 for 200 yds, 2 TDs and 0 INTs.
o 49ers’ game (Bucs lost 23-20): Baker 19-of-29 for 116 yds, 1 TD and 0 INTs.
So Baker threw for a total of 646 yds in those 3 games (an average of 215 YPG without Mike Evans in there). Baker threw for 3,854 yds in the 14 games Mike played (an average of 275 YPG WITH Mike in there). That seems to be a fairly substantial difference.
July 21st, 2025 at 3:10 pm
“Who made Mayfield?
Evans. Evans is the kingmaker of QBs”
Baker turned his career around with the Rams and last time I checked Mike has never played for LA.
July 21st, 2025 at 3:41 pm
DR, that is interesting. AI says weeks 8, 15 & 16. But I see you are right on ESPN stats. Never completely trust AI😈
I stand corrected 😔
July 21st, 2025 at 6:54 pm
It’s a weird phenomenon.
People around the league collectively think Baker isn’t that good.
So, if we have a Top-5 Offense, they assume that our OC must be All-World.
But they don’t realize that Baker is actually making them look better than they are, not the other way around.
Bake is a stud.
July 21st, 2025 at 9:33 pm
Baker IS a stud. However, he turned his game around here in Tampa Bay. I think he played a total of 5 games for the Rams… He Did Not win them all. Far from it..
In fact in those 5 games he threw for a total of 850 yards. He averaged 170 yards per game as an average. He had a whooping 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in those 5 games.
Now, with that said, Baker Did raise spirits as he came into the Rams fold and within a day of his arrival, he played the first of his 5 games with the Rams. Not only Stopped a Massive 6 game losing streak within his first game (literally) , he won that game against the Raiders in Spectacular fashion with a 98 yard touchdown drive for the Win!
It gave the team back some pride that was long beaten out of them…
After that, he did win maybe one more game. Showed a TON of Promise though and the head coach offered him a legitimate “back up role” that he could fight for second string “IF” he could win it… He wasn’t beating out Trask btw. He Was handed the position by Todd Bowles without dominating. Which makes Perfect Sence now that we All know Todd Bowles doesn’t start rookies (Trask).
The competition was smoke and mirrors because Bowles Does Not play rookies. At least for half a season NO MATTER how well they play OR how talented they Actually Are!
Examples…. Ya Ya, Bucky Irving, etc…
In the end my point is Baker Mayfield WAS CERTAINLY reborn RIGHT HERE in Tampa Bay, Florida! Not in LA with 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in 5 games at boring clip of 170 yards per game…. He’s become an Undeniable Force to recon with. From thrown in the qb garbage pile, to a top 10 QB and climbing since he’s Very Smartly chose to gamble on his self on a Tampa Bay Buccaneers “prove it” deal.
And it is Clear that Baker PROVED IT in Tampa!
July 21st, 2025 at 11:24 pm
We know absolutely nothing about Josh Grizzard as he has yet to call a single NFL play. Yet he’s already “The Grizz.”
Yeah, the good ole’ Grizz—old buddy old pal.
This is why I read these pages!
July 22nd, 2025 at 12:33 am
McVay brought Baker in due to the injuries the Rams had suffered in 2022. They had the second worst total injuries in the league behind Denver only. It’s extremely hard to win with a bunch of second stringers on the field.
July 22nd, 2025 at 12:37 am
I thought “The Grizz” called the 3rd down play all year? It was the most efficient 3rd down offense in the league? That’s why the hired him?
July 22nd, 2025 at 1:25 am
MikeBuc, the only thing I disagree with is the real turning point for Baker was being dealt out of Cle. They were toxic for him from the get go and his issues were a direct result of their issues. I have felt that he would improve steadily outside of their organization, and I think that has proven to be true. His confidence and morale was constantly under attack there.
I agree that he really started to shine in the few games on LA and into Tampa. I’m looking for 11 or 12 wins, more losses early than late, and at least a conference championship game if not conference champs.
Bake will increase to 5k plus yards, run for 400, hold steady on TDs and decrease int (I’m guessing 1-14. I believe part of his success has been accepting that those are part of the game and that they can’t ruin the rest of the game, which is why we’re not seeing him completely fall apart after his first one in a game)
July 22nd, 2025 at 1:26 am
Fan of the South-You are clueless.
July 22nd, 2025 at 7:11 am
It will depend on how Coen and Canales do. If they tank then opinion will turn to what i already know. That is,Baker is the real oc and telling these kids what to do.. Baker is a veteran QB in good health because he took a year off in CarLAina to heal. He has,seen it all and would make Joe look good as,OC.
July 22nd, 2025 at 7:19 am
Correct Bakes At Rams won more after the Raiders. So 2-3 but that included demolishing a team on Christmas
July 22nd, 2025 at 10:00 am
For whatever reason, people think that Baker’s time in Cleveland was a total bust. He had a very good rookie year and a great 2020 season, particularly after that POS becham got hurt. 2019 was a mixed bag with the incompetent freddie kitchens at the helm, and he struggled in 2021, partly because of injury. The browns were way too impatient.