This is a tough one for Joe.
Had former Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales stayed, Joe was good with paying Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield the going rate.
After all, it was Canales who rescued Mayfield’s career in just their first year together. Imagine what it would be like in the second year.
Then, Canales left for Carolina. Given Mayfield’s up-and-down career — and it seemingly goes up and down whenever there is a new coordinator — well, Joe isn’t as confident Mayfield is that guy.
Jenna Laine of ESPN seems to think Mayfield, a free agent, won’t be asking for the sun and the moon.
Mayfield has said numerous times that he values the Bucs’ organizational stability, and that could be in Tampa Bay’s favor. Bowles has also been on record saying he wants to keep his quarterback in Tampa.
“To get everybody back, there has to be sacrifices made, and this team’s about winning,” Mayfield said. “We have a group full of guys that they were all about that. It’s not about individual guys. It’s not about that. So, that’s what’s made it special.”
But what kind of stability are we talking about? Mayfield’s offensive coordinator left. His quarterback coach is interviewing with other teams. Nobody knows about the future of Mayfield’s favorite target, Mike Evans.
At this point, the Bucs offense could be radically different in 2024.
Right now little is stable about the Bucs offense when it comes to will be leading it and the team’s greatest wide receiver, who happened to lead the league in touchdowns.