Tag: Baker Mayfield

2025 Bucs Offseason Preview: Quarterback

The Bucs found their quarterback in Baker Mayfield, but questions remain about the offense as a whole and who will back him up.

When Baker Mayfield resurrected his NFL career in Tampa Bay last year, there was not much expectation that he would be much more than a viable starting quarterback. He shattered those expectations in 2024 by playing like a top-five quarterback and leading one of the best offenses in the NFL.

Just in terms of raw statistics, Mayfield was the best he has ever been. He set career highs in completion percentage (71.4%), passing yards (4500) and touchdowns (41) as well as rush yards (378) and rush yards per attempt (6.3). His raw passing numbers were only surpassed by Joe Burrow and Jared Goff.

Mayfield’s advanced metrics also hit career highs. He averaged 0.209 EPA per play and a 3.6 completion percentage above expectation. These were both top-five figures in the league in 2024 and the best of any Bucs quarterback not named Tom Brady.

Mayfield owes a significant portion of his 2024 success to offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who engineered the Bucs offense to be a top-five unit in the league and turned one of the NFL’s worst rush offenses into one its best.

Mayfield and Coen collaborated to keep the passing offense alive after the Bucs lost Chris Godwin for the season and Mike Evans for a brutal stretch, finding new weapons and leveraging Mayfield’s quick release. While this resulted in the second-lowest average depth of target of Mayfield’s career, it propelled the Bucs into its fourth straight NFC South division title.

Given how effective Mayfield was in 2024, there is not a major issue that he needs to work on this offseason. While he did throw a career-high 16 interceptions this season, his interception rate (2.8) was as far from being his career worst as it was from being his best. Another year in Coen’s offense would help as would having a healthier receiver corps next season, but all things being equal, there will likely always be some variance in Mayfield’s ball security. He is a gunslinger through and through.

The biggest question facing Tampa Bay’s quarterback room and the offense as a whole is whether Coen stays in Tampa Bay or leaves for one of the many head coaching vacancies across the league. His departure would put the Bucs in the familiar, if unenviable, position of installing a new offense, which is unlikely to be quite as potent or variable as the 2024 incarnation.

In any case, Baker Mayfield will be the Bucs’ starting quarterback in 2025. He is under contract through 2026, and with another season even resembling his 2024 performance, Mayfield could be looking at a massive extension as early as next year. His $35.7 million cap hit in 2025 is modest for a starting veteran quarterback, but the Bucs will be looking for savings after next season with key players like Mike Evans, Luke Goedeke and Cade Otton hitting free agency.

The only other real question facing the Bucs’ quarterback room is who will be backing up Baker Mayfield next year. 2021 second-round draft pick Kyle Trask has been Tampa Bay’s backup quarterback for the entirety of his rookie contract and has just 32 regular season snaps under his belt. Trask offers little upside at this point in his career, and his lack of live action reps will limit his asking price to continue on as the Bucs’ backup QB.

Keeping Trask makes a lot of sense for the Bucs at the right price. The next 10 quarterbacks earning more than Trask per season are all making less than $3 million per year, a modest raise from Trask’s $1.7 million 2024 cap figure.

The only other quarterback on the roster is undrafted rookie Michael Pratt, who spent the entire season on the practice squad. While he did sign a futures contract with the Bucs, he simply does not have the experience to enter the 2025 season as the presumptive primary backup.

The Bucs could opt for more upside and the continued discounts a rookie contract offers by letting Trask walk and targeting a rookie quarterback in the draft. While the Bucs certainly will not want to spend a premium draft pick at quarterback, there could be some enticing options in the middle rounds. 

Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard is still a work in progress as a passer, but his running ability gives him a high floor to come into a game and give the offense some answers should Mayfield go down. Syracuse QB Kyle McCord showed a gunslinger mentality of his own after transferring from Ohio State this season. Both Leonard and McCord could be options for the Bucs from the third round to possibly the fifth.

The Bucs will not go into the offseason looking for an heir apparent to Baker Mayfield, who has earned the title of franchise quarterback in Tampa Bay. While the future of the offense as a whole is a little less certain, the Bucs now go wherever Mayfield leads them.

What are the key stats for Commanders’ HC Dan Quinn?

Dan Quinn talks about which stats matter to him.

After you look at the score of the Commanders’ game, what is the statistic you think is usually the most important?

On Monday, head coach Dan Quinn discussed the statistics he examines after every game.

Quinn was asked about the Commanders’ running game being ineffective against the Bucs’ run defense. Washington never gave up on the run, but in the game, they gained only 82 yards in 33 rushing attempts, which is good for only 2.48 yards a carry.

“I look at a lot, turnover margin is my number one that I look at, A1 top of the pile,” replied Quinn.

Quinn then volunteered the other key stats that got his attention.

“I also look at the tackling and broke tackle margins, because a lot of explosives come off of those. Whether we are creating them offensively or even on the return game. I think JC (Jamison Crowder) may have had three tackles broken on a 17-yard return. So those all factor in. I am not oblivious to the stats. I want them to be strong and solid in every way.”

As head coach, he doesn’t minimize statistics, but he said he does place some statistics over others, saying he does have his pile he emphasizes.

Well, there was only a single turnover on Sunday against the Bucs. But for Quinn, the right team came out on top of that statistic when Bobby Wagner recovered Baker Mayfield’s 4th quarter fumble at the Tampa Bay 12.

“You’ve got to take advantage of those when they come and I thought we did a really good job offensively also of taking care of the ball. But it is the one thing we talk about almost on a regular basis, that controls the future, that turnover margin and we really work hard at that.”

 

Commanders and Buccaneers tied at halftime: 4 quick first-half takeaways

Commanders and Bucs are tied 10-10 at halftime. Four quick takeaways from the first half.

The Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are tied 10-10 at halftime of their NFC wild-card game from Raymond James Stadium.

Here are four quick takeaways from the first 30 minutes:

Marshon Lattimore the worst player on the field in first half

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) makes a catch against Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23). Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield immediately went after Washington cornerback Marshon Lattimore, and it paid dividends. Lattimore missed the final two games due to a hamstring issue. Before those two games, he played in two games for the Commanders after missing the first four since being acquired via trade. Lattimore gave up multiple catches to his bitter rival, Mike Evans, including a touchdown just before halftime. If Lattimore is indeed still injured, the Commanders may need to consider a move.

Jayden Daniels was outstanding under pressure

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5), Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Calijah Kancey (94). Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Jayden Daniels completed 11 of 16 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown. He also led Washington with 30 rushing yards. Tampa blitzed Daniels heavily, including on a 35-yard completion to Terry McLaurin, and the rookie threw a dime. The Commanders must find a way to run the ball without putting Daniels in harm’s way.

Continue feeding Terry

Terry McLaurin #17, Washington Commanders. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Good things happen when Terry McLaurin gets the ball. In the first half, McLaurin caught four passes for 62 yards on six targets. The Commanders must keep feeding McLaurin in the second half.

3rd-down defense

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Commanders made some stops in the first half but weren’t great on third down. The Bucs had multiple conversions on third-and-long, including an 18-yard scramble by Mayfield. The run by Mayfield kept Tampa’s last drive alive, leading to the touchdown to Mike Evans just before halftime. Overall, the Commanders’ defense did a good job on third down, but those third-and-longs were killer. Washington must create more pressure on Mayfield.

Baker Mayfield’s angry run leads to Mike Evans TD reception

Baker Mayfield provided the inspiration Tampa Bay needed on a second-quarter drive

Baker Mayfield took it upon himself to inspire the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The quarterback rumbled through the Washington Commanders defense late in the second quarter on Sunday.

And his 18-yard run had plenty of attitude.

The drive concluded as Mayfield looked for WR Mike Evans. After a pass interference penalty on Marshon Lattimore in the end zone, Mayfield connected with his great WR for a short TD pass.

The score in the NFC wild-card game was tied at the break, 10-10.

Evans and Lattimore have a bitter and nasty rivalry. In the first half, it was all Evans. He had five catches on five targets for 66 yards and a scoee.

Is Baker Mayfield playing today against the Commanders? Status updates for Bucs QB

Is Baker Mayfield playing today against the Commanders? Status updates for the Bucs QB

The Bucs fought their way into the NFL playoffs by winning the NFC South with a record of 10-7 in the regular season. They did it, and now they face off against a team they handled in Week 1 in a one-sided matchup: the Washington Commanders.

Baker Mayfield wrapped up a career year for himself in Week 18 against the Saints, how is he now going into the first round of the playoffs?

Baker Mayfield status update

Baker Mayfield became the second quarterback in franchise history to pass for 40+ touchdowns, joining Tom Brady who achieved it twice. Mayfield was banged up a couple times during the season but the team and opponents could never keep him down for long.

All year long he did his best version of Brett Favre on the field while being Iron Man for the team in never going out of the game. He will be available against the Commanders as they look to lean on the success he had in Week 1. In that season opening performance Mayfield passed for 289 yards and four touchdowns in the process.

Bucs QB depth chart

  • Baker Mayfield
  • Kyle Trask
  • Michael Pratt*

NFL wild-card picks: Who are experts taking in Commanders vs. Buccaneers?

Who are the experts taking in Sunday’s wild-card matchup between the Commanders and Bucs?

The Washington Commanders (12-5) face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7) in an NFC Wild Card Weekend showdown on Sunday Night Football. It’s the second meeting of the season, as the teams met in Week 1, with the Bucs coming out 37-20 winners.

What can we take from that game?

Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield was phenomenal in the first game. He passed for 289 yards and four touchdowns, finishing with only six incompletions.

On the other side, Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels played in his first NFL game, completing 17 of 24 passes for 184 yards. Daniels also led Washington with 88 rushing yards and two touchdowns. It was a conservative offensive game plan for the Commanders in Week 1 and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury began to open things up in Week 2.

After that game, Washington would win 12 of its next 16 games, including the final five of the regular season. The Bucs are hot, too, entering Sunday as winners of six of their last seven games.

Who wins on Sunday?

According to NFL Pickwatch, 66% of the experts believe the Buccaneers will also take the rematch. The Bucs are 3-point favorites over the Commanders.

Can Daniels perform another Sunday night miracle like he did two weeks ago?

Prediction and betting odds for Commanders vs. Buccaneers in NFC wild-card game

Analyzing Commanders vs. Buccaneers game with odds and lines, predictions and best bets.

The Washington Commanders (12-5) face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7) in an NFC wild-card game from Raymond James Stadium. It’s a rematch from Week 1 of the 2024 season, which the Buccaneers won 37-20.

Much has changed for both teams since Week 1. Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels just finished the greatest rookie season for a QB in NFL history, helping the Commanders win 12 regular-season games for the first time in 33 years. Washington has won five games in a row heading into Sunday’s matchup.

Tampa Bay enters this matchup red-hot, too, having won six of its last seven games. Quarterback Baker Mayfield had a career year, passing for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns. Running back Bucky Irving was one of the NFL’s breakout rookies.

Below are the latest odds and our final score prediction for Sunday.

Commanders vs. Buccaneers game odds:

All NFL Odds via BetMGM:

  • Point spread: Commanders 3 (-110) / Buccaneers +3 (-110)
  • Money line: Commanders +135 / Buccaneers -160
  • Over-under: 50.5 (O: -110 / U: -110)

NFL Playoff picks: Unlock exclusive data-driven predictions 

Commanders vs. Buccaneers injury updates:

  • Commanders WR Jamison Crowder: Questionable (hamstring)
  • Buccaneers CB Jamel Dean: Questionable (knee)
  • Buccaneers S Mike Edwards: Questionable (quad)
  • Buccaneers DL Logan Hall: Questionable (groin)
  • Buccaneers TE Cade Otton: Questionable (knee)
  • Buccaneers S Antoine Winfield: Questionable (knee)

Commanders vs. Buccaneers prediction, pick:

Bryan Manning:

I believe the Commanders will move the ball well on offense. I am not sure that the running game will get going, but Jayden Daniels will again lead Washington in rushing. If OC Kliff Kingsbury targets Terry McLaurin enough, he’ll have a big game. There are questions in Tampa’s secondary. Defensively is another story. Washington’s run defense is poor in every metric. You don’t have to dig into analytics to see how much the Commanders have struggled against the run. That will prove to be the difference in the game. While Mayfield will play well, Bucky Irving is the X-Factor, and will rush for over 100 yards.

Pick: Buccaneers 34, Commanders 27

Ivan Lambert:

Jayden Daniels has made spectacular plays all season, helping lead the Commanders to 12 wins. But he has also held on to the ball too long at times, being sacked the sixth most times (47) in the NFL this season.

On the other side of the ball, Baker Mayfield carved up the Commanders in game one. They only hit him four times and only sacked him once. The defense will need to do much better against Mayfield, who passed for 4,500 yards this season and had 41 touchdowns.

Bucky Irving is the other significant factor, having rushed for 1,122 yards this season. He can make people miss and get a big play for the Bucs offense.

Washington is a different team than they were in Jayden Daniels’s first NFL game. But with the advent of Irving, the Bucs are better, too.

Pick: Buccaneers 31, Commanders 27

Commanders vs. Buccaneers channel, start time, streaming:

The Commanders vs. Buccaneers game starts at 8:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on NBC or streamed on Peacock.

Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.

How to watch Commanders vs Buccaneers today: Time, TV channel for NFC wild-card game

It’s Commanders vs Buccaneers in an NFC wild-card showdown. Here’s how to watch, including kickoff, channel, and betting odds.

On Sunday, the Washington Commanders (12-5) play their first playoff game in four years as they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7) in a rematch from Week 1.

Here’s how to watch the Commanders vs. Buccaneers game, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:

What channel is Commanders vs Buccaneers game on today? Time, TV schedule

TV Channel: NBC

Start time: 8:00 p.m. ET

Commanders vs. Buccaneers will be broadcast nationally on NFL Wild Card Weekend. Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth will call the game from the booth at Raymond James Stadium, with Melissa Stark reporting from the sidelines.

Where to watch Commanders vs Buccaneers on livestream

Streaming options for the game include Fubo and Peacock if you live in the local market of the teams.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Commanders vs Buccaneers live on Fubo (free trial)” link=”https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/leagues/191261?irad=399332&irmp=1205322&subId1=SMG&subId2=NCAAF&subId3=2024″]

Commanders vs Buccaneers predictions, picks, odds

Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY: Commanders 26, Buccaneers 17

I think the wrong team is favored here. The Tampa defense often stacks the box to try to stop the run, and, if it does that, I could see Jayden Daniels having a big day. Yet, because he’s mobile and an elite dual threat option, if the Bucs drop players in coverage, Daniels can gain big chunks on the ground.

NFL Playoff picks: Unlock exclusive data-driven predictions 

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Commanders 26, Buccaneers 24

Can rookie Jayden Daniels help the Commanders get their first playoff win since the 2005 season? Daniels has proved doubters wrong all season. His dual-threat ability will cause problems for Tampa Bay’s defense. The Bucs beat the Commanders in Week 1, but Washington is a much different team now.

Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY: Commanders 23, Buccaneers

Jayden Daniels has grown so much since his first game, and he should have a much easier time cracking through the Buccaneers defense. Tampa Bay’s offense starts off slow and is unable to recover and the Commanders get the last laugh over the Buccaneers.

ODDS: Buccaneers by 3

O/U: 50.5

All NFL Odds via BetMGM.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”4141″ ]

Commanders schedule 2024

  • Week 1: at Tampa Bay (L, 37-20)
  • Week 2: vs. New York Giants (W, 21-18)
  • Week 3: at Cincinnati (W, 38-33)
  • Week 4: at Arizona (W, 42-14)
  • Week 5: vs. Cleveland (W, 34-13)
  • Week 6: at Baltimore (L, 30-23)
  • Week 7: vs. Carolina (W, 40-7)
  • Week 8: vs. Chicago (W, 18-15
  • Week 9: at New York Giants (W, 27-22)
  • Week 10: vs. Pittsburgh (L, 28-27)
  • Week 11: at Philadelphia (L, 26-18)
  • Week 12: vs. Dallas (L, 34-26)
  • Week 13: vs. Tennessee (W, 42-19)
  • Week 14: BYE
  • Week 15: at New Orleans (W, 20-19)
  • Week 16: vs. Philadelphia (W, 36-33)
  • Week 17: vs. Atlanta (W, 30-24)
  • Week 18: at Dallas (W, 23-19)
  • Record: 12-5

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Bucs OC Liam Coen ready to take on Baker Mayfield for HC interviews

The Bucs offensive coordinator was asked about Mayfield’s comments on Thursday and gave a fun response. 

When the Bucs season was coming to a close, speculation began around offensive coordinator Liam Coen and his potential to interview for head coaching spots that may open up. Fast forward a few weeks and there are now six head coach openings, all of which could be fits for Coen.

While everyone wants Coen to succeed, Baker Mayfield has joked it would come down to “one-on-one at Sawgrass to decide whether he actually takes the interview.” The Bucs offensive coordinator was asked about Mayfield’s comments on Thursday and gave a fun response.

“He doesn’t want to see me [laughs]. That’s not really part of the mindset right now. That’ll be next week after this stuff is done. The No. 1 mindset is to go win this game and then I’ll beat him in golf at some point.”

Coen has been requested to interview with the Jacksonville Jaguars, which could take place next week, as he eludes to. He would remain in Florida and become a preseason regular for the Bucs due to them and the Jaguars always playing each other in August. 

Before any games of golf can be played or interviews conducted, Coen is right in that the team has to focus on the Washington Commanders.

Stopping Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving is critical for Commanders

Stopping Bucky Irving is critical for the Commanders.

A rookie running back has certainly caught Joe Whitt’s watchful eye.

The Bucs have a strong passing game with targets like future Hall of Fame WR Mike Evans, WR Jalen McMillan, WR Sterling Shepherd, and TE Cade Otton.

The Bucs must also be pleased with how rookie RB Bucky Irving exploded. Irving, taken 125 overall (4th round) out of Oregon, has been nothing short of sensational.

“He can make you miss in space,” said Whitt. “He’s fast, he’s quick, he’s a slasher. So, I just think they use not just him, but all the eligibles in a very unique way of, when I say fast-paced, they want to get the ball in their hands right now. They have close to a thousand yards with the ball behind the line of scrimmage. So, they want to get those guys in space and then let them have run-after-catch opportunities.”

Irving has 47 receptions for 392 yards (8.3) and converted 16 first downs. The Bucs’ screen game has been very effective with Irving.

“They have a number of different type of screens. You have the play-action screen, the slip screen, the cross screen, all those to the backs. And then you have the ones that the tunnel screen, tear screen from the outside. So, they have just a variety of different screens and different ways to get into it.”

Irving has tremendously helped Baker Mayfield achieve career highs in passing (4,500 yards) and passing touchdowns (41). Irving’s running is so quick and effective that the defense must give him much attention. He has rushed for 1,122 yards, averaging an impressive 5.4 yards per carry.

How can the Commanders’ defense limit Irving enough to have a chance in this playoff game on Sunday?

Whitt succinctly replied, “In the run game, making sure that we take care of the C gap.”