“You’re my guy, ‘Bake.’”
The will-he-or-won’t-he debate of Baker Mayfield’s future with the Bucs was oddly enough kicked off by Mayfield himself last week when he said the initial extension offer floated by the Bucs wasn’t close to what he wanted.
Potential frustration with the Bucs motivating Mayfield to leave doesn’t seem to be any sort of issue from KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles’ perspective.
Joe could understand if Mayfield is frustrated. He’s had a revolving door of offensive coordinators, a new one each season. Then last year, the Bucs collapsed and then-offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard was thrown under the bus as a culprit.
Bowles said after the final OTA practice of the spring this week he doesn’t sense the losing season combined with the disappointing second half and the constant change at offensive coordinator is chasing Mayfield out of town.
“I think [Mayfield is] a true pro,” Bowles said. “I don’t think there’s any disappointment whatsoever.
“I mean, he loves it here. We love him here. Contract stuff takes care of itself, whether it’s the quarterback or any other position that comes up.
“Those things get worked out over time. You just concentrate on what we’ve got to concentrate on, on the field, and he’s been great right there.”
When Bowles was asked if his desire is for the Bucs to extend Mayfield’s contract, Bowles left no doubt where he stands.
“Absolutely, no question,” Bowles said.
Well there you have it. Bowles is on record the Bucs must keep Mayfield.
Joe knows not all his readers read every word he types.
So Joe will repeat: Joe is confident Mayfield, some how, some way, will be taking snaps from center for the Bucs to start the 2027 season.