Baker Mayfield Is Excited By Offensive Coordinator Change
March 18th, 2026
Yes, Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht acknowledged today that he expects Baker Mayfield will draw motivation from Mike Evans leaving the team.
No surprise. Mayfield is the kind of player seeking every possible ounce of motivation. Anyone could guess Mayfield will be fired up to a degree knowing his friend and former top receiver bailed for what Evans thinks is a better football opportunity.
But Licht also talked about how Mayfield is pumped up to work with his new offensive coordinator, Zac Robinson, who replaced fall guy Josh Grizzard in January.
Todd Bowles said last month that Grizzard is two or three years from becoming a good playcaller. Licht wouldn’t go there but said Mayfield will see eye-to-eye with the new staff around him.
“I know Baker is very, very excited — very excited about Zac with the time that he had with him,” Licht said. “And I think just because of — and this has nothing to do with Josh [Grizzard] at all because [he and Baker] were very close and I’m not going to throw any gasoline on that whatsoever — but I think there’s going to be more confidence [from Mayfield].”
“I think just the fact that Zac was a former quarterback; [new Bucs passing game coordinator] T.J. [Yates] played in the league for quite a while as a quarterback and [quarterbacks coach] Chandler [Whitmer] being an ex-quarterback himself, I think the like-mindedness is going to be very beneficial for us.”
Things are setting up well for Mayfield. His entire offensive line — and it’s a good one — is expected back healthy. He’s also got a fresh coaching team around him that he’s happy about. And Mayfield still has a talented receiving corps along with an intriguging and versatile new weapon in running back Kenny Gainwell.
No Evans? That won’t make the Bucs a more dangerous offense, especially if they reach the postseason, but Mayfield should have what he needs now to lead a potent offense.
And the Bucs haven’t even secured a new toy in the draft yet.
March 18th, 2026 at 6:42 pm
And the opportunity to kick Rod Munch’s @$$ behind an alley.
March 18th, 2026 at 6:47 pm
And one big hell of a chip on his shoulder next year watch
March 18th, 2026 at 6:47 pm
Well, what else is Licht supposed to say? Just more talk. I believe Baker said the same thing about Griz. I would hope Licht drafts the best defensive player for the first 4 rounds unless there’s a really good OL player available.
March 18th, 2026 at 6:50 pm
He’ll definitely use it to drum up ‘motivation’ for HIMSELF, but that’s not the same thing as being a LEADER and elevating his teammates level of play. He allows for too many distractions, and is not focused on the right things. Which is playing SMART, being focused and prepared, while always under control. It’s about WINNING.
March 18th, 2026 at 6:51 pm
It’s not about himself.
March 18th, 2026 at 6:59 pm
Stop with the Jason Licht Ring of Honor nonsense
March 18th, 2026 at 7:01 pm
He has that answer down pat !
March 18th, 2026 at 7:02 pm
2026 MVP Baker Mayfield!
March 18th, 2026 at 7:03 pm
Gman Says
“Stop with the Jason Licht Ring of Honor nonsense”
Whether you agree or not, it’s true.
March 18th, 2026 at 7:11 pm
I am with Gman. And yes Bonzai, it is true that it is nonsense
March 18th, 2026 at 7:17 pm
There are 16 members of the Bucs ROH :
Players :
10 players of various levels of distinction but all deserving
Coaches :
Kiffin Dungy Gruden Arians McKay – again maybe a quibble or two but deserving
Owner :
Malcolm Glazer – bought the team – made Tampa pay for stadium – died – ok
the best GM ever Rich MvKay is NOT ROH
no way in he@@ that Fred Flintstone Licht deserves ROH – no way – unless the actual name on the inside of the stadium is “FRED FLINTSTONE” not “JASON LICHT”
March 18th, 2026 at 7:21 pm
Even you Baker fans have to be tired when this college, “rah, rah” garbage goes away. Im so tired of hearing about the proverbial “chip on his shoulder”. Dude is going to be competing for a back up job in Vegas or Nashville the next 2 years. I dont know how many years, teams, chances he will get but the writing is on the wall.
Nobody, absolutely no body would pay this guy 50-60 million a year in Monopoly money. He will be the 5th oldest opening day Qb this year, 4th oldest if A-rod retires. Its a “crap” or get off the pot type propostition with Qbs.Rodgers, Stafford, dak, Goff are the 4 older then him. Those 4 guys combine for 61 seasons and combined have been on 8 teams.
Baker going into year 9 has been on 4. And thats with Rodgersa doing his “end of career” team jumping alot of guys do at the end. But even Goff and Prescott are annual stat monsters. Nothing against this guy but this era has been garbage. Id love to have seen what we could have done with a REAL QB.
Im so looking forward and hopeful for the new hc/qb/era. I have no crystal ball, idk if the new Qb will be a HOF or another baker, but what I do know is we will never go anywhere with Baker. And tbh, even a 9-8 one and done/wildcard win/wildcard loss doesnt mean crap to me.
Looking at that schedule even that wont happen. And ive been telling ppl, that Stefanski hire and tua signing is not good. Tua is 44-32, 12 games over .500 while our baker is a career sub.500 lol. Tua also had 4600 +passing yards and led the #1 offense in 2023. Come to think of it, Mitch Trubisky is even 31-26. You have to be a real bum to be sub.500 for a entire caree.
And no, I dont want to hear about Stafford. Mvp, Sb Champ and future HOF. Baker is none of those and never will be.
March 18th, 2026 at 7:22 pm
The Bowles quote about last year’s OC is more ridiculous every time I read it. How does Bowles know how long it takes to become a good offensive play caller? Who hired the guy in the first place?
Chips on shoulders only take you so far. You could argue they get you injured, too. I’d rather he stick to pumping up Ebuka, MacMillan and Tez.
March 18th, 2026 at 7:43 pm
ByeBakerByeBowles; of course you don’t want to hear about Stafford, it doesn’t fit your narrative!
March 18th, 2026 at 7:49 pm
Stafford was on 2 teams goin into his 18th season. Stafford was in Detroit 12/17 years. Dude is a elite physical stud. Baker is a survivor, like a cockroach. Stafford ia a top of the food chain freak/specimen with God given talent. La gave up Goff and 2 #1 picks to aquire him.
Stafford kinda proved he was a talented guy in a dysfunctional franchise when he won the Sb in year one and everything he accomlished the 5 years he left detroit. Baker played 4 years in cleveland and has been gone there for 4 years.
Lol, his record his 4 years in Cleveland are slightly better then the 4 years he left during his “coming of age” lol!!! I dont care if its Brees, darnold, Stafford all thos eguys win % improved when they left said “cursed franchise” SO same aount of time, baker had a better win % with the cursed franchise that drafted them since the 4 years he left. Ok, bud.
March 18th, 2026 at 7:52 pm
Jason is selling harder than Mick Foley at the ‘98 Rumble
March 18th, 2026 at 7:52 pm
Baker Mayfield said the same thing about all 20 OC,s he ever had. So far it’s been the same result of coming up short, regrouping, and trying again next year. It takes a lot of determination to endure that. Sam Darnald did what Mayfield was supposed to do. It wasn’t coached right and played right. Ok on a positive I think special teams will be better if Chase stays on point. I like the QB#2 move also.
March 18th, 2026 at 7:55 pm
I will go with what players, teammates, and coaches say about Mayfield. Not the goobers and booger eaters like Munch, Oneil, MelvinJr, Bye Bye etc…all true losers that really all need to be ignored.
March 18th, 2026 at 7:56 pm
ByeBakerByeBowles,
You sound like RodMunch’s lover. Here is a bulletin for you. Few in Cleveland were in favor of running an injured Baker Mayfield out of town for predator, Deshaun Watson. How did that one work out for Cleveland? Meanwhile, Baker has had 3 solid years with Tampa leading to a second best NFL 95 TD passes during his tenure. The result of all this will be a $50million/yr 3 year deal with Tampa. None of your whining and bed wetting will change that. This narrative about 4 teams is a joke. Baker asked for his release from Carolina and joined LA where he was loved. He was filling in for an injured Stafford who had signed a massive multi year contract and wasn’t going anywhere. Next onto Tampa where he has played very well for three years notwithstanding your inane comments.
March 18th, 2026 at 7:58 pm
I think Baker will have a bounce back season
But, l gotta wait until after the draft to make my predictions
March 18th, 2026 at 7:59 pm
As much as we loved White, KG is an upgrade
March 18th, 2026 at 8:00 pm
Cue the endless bickering about Baker instead of a discussion about the offense, Zac etc
Byebyebabybyebye and the munchers are, I’m sure, thankful for the chum. Not that they need it…. Ask them about the weather and they’ll turn it into a bickering match about Baker.
March 18th, 2026 at 8:03 pm
Darnold is just better. Stop if you heard this before: bigger, more accurate, better pocket passer with a more sustainable game. despite coming out the same year darnold is over 2 years younger.
Darnold has been on more teams and had more OCS then bakey Bake. But with no name running backs, a washed #2 wr and one of the worse OL in football he won a SB year 1 after going 14-3 in a tough divison afte going 14-3 the year before in a historical division the year before with a different team.
dude been on 4 teams in 4 years. What was Minnesota before and after Darnold. Who was talking about Seattle this time last year? even with Geno playing well seqttle was winning 9-10 games and during that time span, geno was a top 6-8 qb (volume stats ) wise in seattle over a 3 year span. You Bake rfans love to bring up the last 3years he top 3-4 in yards and tds. That fact and $2.00 will get you a large cup of coffee at speedway.
March 18th, 2026 at 8:06 pm
Bye Baker Bye Bowles
What Name were you posting under last week?
Asking for a friend.
March 18th, 2026 at 8:07 pm
Stafford got the opportunity to play for a very good organization in the Rams with an elite coach in Sean McVay and now is winning a lot of games and even a Super Bowl. Baker now plays for a good organization as well but I don’t think anyone would say Bowles is on McVay’s level.
March 18th, 2026 at 8:14 pm
ByeBye; Now do a comparison of the defenses of the Vikings and Seahawks vs the Bucs defense the last 2 years. Seahawks had a no name running back and a lousy offensive line that just dominated the line of scrimmage in the Superbowl. How can that be?
March 18th, 2026 at 8:15 pm
Bounce back season? he was NOT hurt. 2025 was actually the 4th or 5th best season of his overrated, underwhelming career. 2024 was a overrated fluke. We started 4-6 that “magical” year. yes, for baker it was a great fantasy football year for baker, low impact as well.
If Goff or Dak threw for 4500 and 41 td and lead the leauge with 16 interceptions and went 10-7 in a crap division, the media and fans would be calling for their heads. But because its baker its overrated. Goff pretyt much put up those seasons or better every year. When healthy, dak too.
Baker’s 2024 would be like Deangelo Russell averaging 27ppg on 50/40/90 on a 43 win team that got eliminated in the first round and the next year he reverts back to who he was the other 7/8 seasons.
It was a low impact season thus baker didnt finish top 10 MVP that year, darnold was 6th for Minnesota. To show you how much of a fluke it was, baker was 3rd or 4th in completion%. The next best rank in his career he had was 19th. The other 6 years he has placed 25th or LOWER.
Does anyone care in 2021 herbert had 5,000 yards and 38 td passes on a 9 win team? No. Or derek carr made runs at 5,000 yards in 16 game schedules/ No. Cousins either. Tom Brady best 3 year run (on paper)was here. does anyone think we got peak Brady?No.
w-L is attached to a Qb resume for a reason. they are paid the most for a reason. its not “just another position” on the feild.
March 18th, 2026 at 8:18 pm
I couldn’t help myself so I checked out the SF media. The story is the same there but I have a new take. Mike said he liked how SF went 12-5 with all the injuries they had including Purdy.
Just what if Mike was worried Baker would get injured and the backup QB was a dud, a likely chance. He had already seen Baker’s drop off in play likely due to injuries and not lack of talent.
Add that to all the other considerations; Bowles, defense, Zac, opposing teams fans in the stands etc.
March 18th, 2026 at 8:21 pm
The defense: The Bears defense was 29th- 10 spots below ours. The gave up more points in the regular season then ours did. yet they wer 11-6 in a gauntlet divison and was a bone headed pick from the title game. The commanders in 2024 had a worse defense then ours and went 12-5 in a tougher divison. And with a rookie qb, went to the nfc title game-with a defense that allowed over 35 ppg in the playoffs by the way.
March 18th, 2026 at 8:23 pm
Oscar: I know your going to say they are dumb but PFF final OL ranking for seattle in 2025 was #30. Just in case you think they are dumb, the HIGHEST you will see seattles line ranked for 2025 is #23 ANYWHERE. i think the lowest ours is ranked anywhere is like #15. But i know, they are dumb and your smart.
March 18th, 2026 at 8:30 pm
Of Baker’s four teams, he was on three of them in one year. Over a career, tthat’s not much moving about. He’s really not a journeyman. He’s only played for two teams, with a year off between the two sojourns.
March 18th, 2026 at 8:31 pm
Sal: hpow was it a bad year when it was the 4th or 5th best season of Bakers career? What injury? Where the surgery? In Buffalo he was going head first into the endzone against Buffalo a week before the Rams game. its absolutely a talent issue.
How is the 19th ranked defense the scapegoat but the 21st ranked offense devoid of blame? Consider this: grizzard offense finished 21st with alot of injuries. Canales offense finshed 23rd in 2023 with Godwin, evans, Otton, White and baker starting all 17 games. The Ol was healthier in 2023 then 2025.
You guys need to stop babying him. How many excuses can one personget. Anyone elese in this history of sports get labled for what they are. if the suck, they suck. Average to avaerage.
Baker is a backup Qb who starts 17 times a year. If you start 17x a year and throw 30-35x a game you will have stats.Carson Wentz started 5 games last year and had 300 yards passing twice. the same number as mayfeild had in 17 starts. Think with your head and not your heart.
March 18th, 2026 at 8:38 pm
yeah, 4 teams before your 28th birthday is alot. especially if your a former#1overall pick. If he sticks around the NFL he will be on at least 6 and possibly 8-9. Could be 10 but im sure thats a reccord nobody wants. he lucky the eagles or 49ers didnt pick him up, they get rid of Qbs super fast. But they wouldnt have wanted him in the first place.
The Eagles went from Foles to Bradford to wentz to Hurts in a 5 year span( with a sprinkle of Foles sprinkled in for a 2nd stint) in a 5 year span. Every Qb was 26-28 when they were discarded.
And you all want to hang on to a 31 year old journeyman who has been here 4 years. If one of those teams picked him up (they wouldnt) he would have been a one and done
March 18th, 2026 at 8:40 pm
The fact that Baker played when he should heve been resting or on a 4 week IR after the bye probably did factor in Evan’s decision to leave. If the Bucs had a “Mac Jones” type of back up, the O could have been more productive down the stretch instead of allowing Baker to get more and more beat up game after game. No one trusted Bridgewater, he should have been cut after he almost ended JMac’s career but the Bucs and Jason did not go get a serviceable backup, even a Browning could have helped last season.
March 18th, 2026 at 8:45 pm
As for Baker, of course he is going to sing the praises of Zac R: he is truly hoping the guy will be the second coming of Coen as do all Buc fans who are hoping that the Buc O will go back to its 2024 form with a healthy OL and an OC who will have autonomy with no intervention from the head coach, that did not happen after the bye last year..
March 18th, 2026 at 8:47 pm
bbbb, never say never, it could come back and bite you hard!
March 18th, 2026 at 8:59 pm
It’s funny people hating on Jason. These people have no knowledge of the game. All the people who actually get paid to talk about football think he’s good. Tampa got some of the lamest fans in the league. That’s the real reason players leave. The trash fan base not all of course just the sour ones who can’t get over themselves
March 18th, 2026 at 9:03 pm
Giper: Your the one infatuated with another man and speak of someone being another man’s lover. Baker’s per game metrics in these 3 years are middling. i dont care about volume stats. Frank gore is the 3rd leading rusher of all time. Does that make him the 3rd best? Jared Goff is #1 by a mile over he last 4 years in yard and tds while averging 12 wins a year. he smuch better then baker but hes not the best.
You sound like a child playing baseball. “its not a strike becaus ehe didnt swing” lol. Forgt volume stats…bake ris 28-26 here. 11-7 in the divison, 17-19 outside the divison. 11-22 in games vs pro bowl Qbs. He is 1-10 in prime time games. He is 4-11 in games when asked to throw 35-39 times. He is 1-10 when asked to thrwo 40x or more. All those are below leauge AVERAGE.
He is 18-2 when the defense allows under 20 points, 10-24 when bthey allow 20 or more. When his defense gives up 21-27 points he was has one of the lowest win% in the leauge and is well under leauge average. and sorry, 21-27 points in todays NFL is not crazy
Those are “loser/losing traits”. That is why he ended a playoff game in Cleveland with 3 straight incompletions down 5, and ended playoff seasons here with turnovers. Its why he has 3 winning seasons out of 8. And those 3 seasons he BARELY made it to the playoffs the last game of the seasons in a win or go home final game scenario.
2020 vs the Steelers game 16- they sat half or more of their startes and Cleveland barely won. You remeber that 2023 finale, that 9-0 game 17 thriller vs bryce Young and the Saints. AWJ had to morph into Ed Reed for a game and a season really. 2024 same thing.
Baker 2 wild card wins: Against 2 teams entering the playoffs on the biggest collapses in the past decade or so. The 2020 Steelers came in losers of 4 out of 5 after a 11-0 start and the 2023 Eagles had lost 5 out of 6 after a 10-1 start.
Sorry Gippy, hes not signing a contract here lol. after this 4th year, this project will mercifully come to a end. This midget, who cant play from the pocket or read a defense, takes off after his intial read is covered is gone.
You celebrate him running over somebody for a first down when he kmissed a WIDE OPEN wideout for a easy td. Amd frankly, he runs over ppl because qbs get to go 1005 and the defenders cant. 20 years ago he’d have been road kill. I can respect the fac thto that one of the most unathletic Qbs was like top 3 or whatver in rushing yards.
That will not age well. If eite physical talents and giants like cam newton, Luck and Wentz couldnt sustain hero ball, itty bitty baker cant. Not only were those guys bigger, at their peaks they were signifigantly Better then Baker could dream of being. nd anyone who disagrees is foolosih. Look at the resumes.
March 18th, 2026 at 9:05 pm
They need to make Robinson watch every single play Coen called in the 2024 season – Clockwork Orange style.
March 18th, 2026 at 9:11 pm
Okiejiim…N.E.V.E.R We can wager whenever you want. betting on baker to fail is easy money, he stinks. Its not like i think hes good and i dislike him, i think he stinks. In life, w have to have realistically assess ourselves, our family,etc.
baker is a brand and hype. he is lumped into conversations and comparisons with qbs clearly better then him-past and present. He’s popular and fiery and that buys him alot of good will he would not enjoy if he was boring or a 2nd rd pick from tulsa.
I cannot think of a qb with his resume EVER that is this revered and highly thought of. nd then its like ppl know he suck but hey dont want to say it. He does make life sweet for national and local media because hes outrageous and over the top.
But its coming to an end. thank God!
March 18th, 2026 at 9:20 pm
@Rod,
OK, now THAT was funny. Not sure if you knew, but those scenes actually scratched up that actors corneas. Ouch.
But I agree with that thought…perhaps minus the contraption. 🙂
March 18th, 2026 at 9:20 pm
2024 was a 4-6 start and 10-7 regular seaon that ended with a wildcard home loss to a rookie qb in his first playoff game on the road with a inferior roster and worse defense too. Stop romanticizing the 2024 seaon.
Coen was never going to stay. he chose Lawrence over Baker. He chose a 26 year old with one team over a 5-11 guy who was 30 on 4 teams. He hitched his wagons to the bigger, younger, more talented guy.
lawrence going into the year had 2 winning seaons and playoff wins. Multiple 4000 yard and winning seasons. Lawrence now has MORE 4000 yard seasons then baker, just as many winning seasons, and as many or more playoff wins. baker high for wins was 11 waaay back in 2020. Lawrence just won 13.
Liam was a one night stand. you all need to get over it. baker uscks. Yes, #1 evans chose Sf becuse of Purdy. McDaneils took the chargers OC job to work with Herbert over baker.
How do you guys know even if the Glazers and Licht fired Bowles that Liam was gonna take HC/ Anybody not on drugs would hitch their wagons to Lawrence ove baker. Reemebr when baker was 27 he was the worse Qb in football and 1-5 in carolina. he was a scout team defensive end lol. chew on this: that year inCarolina darnold was 4-2, PJ Walker was 2-3 and baker was 1-5. They were 1-5 with him and 6-5 without him. if youbeen reading my post you see thats no coincidence.
March 18th, 2026 at 9:37 pm
In an alternate universe, Captain Baker Mayfield works in a nuclear missile silo in the far reaches of Alaska.
One day, in the mess hall when Baker is rallying his coworkers to “just go for it” in the event of a nuclear war, a lowly sergeant tells him to sit down and shut up. Enraged, Alt Universe Baker picks up his empty coffee mug and rifles it toward the head of the unsuspecting sergeant. He misses high and wide.
Later that evening, under extreme pressure an order comes in to launch. As instructed, Baker inserts his key into the launch computer. He tells his secondary backup to insert his key and leave. He is not needed. Baker has this one!
During the last seconds before launch an order arrives ordering all personnel to remove their keys as this was a false alarm (almost there-I’m going somewhere with this).
In the heat of the moment, Baker turns his key the wrong way, sending an armed nuclear warhead toward downtown Moscow. Luckily, the missile was destroyed in-route before detonation, avoiding WWIII.
Considered guilty my most of the world, his court martial law team (becoming known as the Baker Boi’s thanks to a recalcitrant press) argues that Baker was merely a victim of circumstances.
He was using his ninth key in nine years, and his key hand had a “top secret never to be disclosed” injury. If his fellow officers and enlisted men had not let him down, the launch could have been easily avoided.
After the trial, all Baker lawyers are accused of placing a picture of Baker on their nightstand.
In the end, his law team pressed on and on, ad nauseam, on how the launch was his coworker’s fault, not Baker’s, a man who has caught nothing but bad breaks his entire military career. According to his law team, nothing was or forever will be Baker’s fault.
Verdict: ?
March 18th, 2026 at 9:44 pm
Melvin jr… baker isnt dumb b any means.He just isnt that good and hes limited physically. he NEEDS the play and play hero ball because he needs the play to break down.
PFF ranked him 33rd last year from a clean pocket. He has trouble seeing over the line of scrimmage-unlike Brees and prime Russell Wilson.If his first read isnt wide open he takes off.
He cant see over the line, he cant read a defense, doesnt hit open guys. For a small, untathletic guy taking off too much is bad. hes not a spring chicken either. We have seen giant Qbs not be able to sustain that past their late 20s.
He gambles because he cant read the defense. he take risk because he cant get it done. His biggest nightmare is having perfect protection in the pocket and having to go thru progressions.