The prospect of retaining Baker Mayfield like Evans for the upcoming season appears to be in jeopardy following the departure of former Buccaneers coordinator Dave Canales to the Carolina Panthers. Joe faced criticism for asserting this in a recent article but remains steadfast in his belief that this move diminishes the likelihood of Mayfield and Evans returning to the Buccaneers.
To bolster their chances of keeping Mayfield, the Buccaneers should promptly consider interviewing Zac Robinson, the Rams’ quarterback coach who collaborated with Mayfield last year. Robinson, a former NFL backup and starting QB at Oklahoma State, is reportedly high on the wish list of new Panthers coach Raheem Morris, a former colleague of his in Los Angeles.
Last season, Mayfield faced criticism from former NFL executive Michael Lombardi, who labeled him the worst quarterback in the league on the “GM Shuffle” podcast. Interestingly, Lombardi’s son Matt served as Mayfield’s position coach, potentially deflecting blame away from his son onto a higher-profile scapegoat. Mayfield’s struggles in Carolina led to his release in December, and the Rams, dealing with quarterback injuries, quickly acquired him. Despite having limited practice time and unfamiliarity with teammates, Mayfield secured a victory on Thursday Night Football under the guidance of his position coach, Robinson.
Joe contends that while Canales played a crucial role in saving Mayfield’s career, it was Robinson who revitalized him, ultimately influencing the Buccaneers to sign Mayfield. Canales and Robinson represent different branches on the Sean McVay coaching tree, and it is evident that Mayfield thrives in the type of offensive system they implement.
Given the choice between the Buccaneers and the Panthers, Joe speculates that Robinson would likely prefer the Buccaneers, having previously worked with Mayfield. The uncertainty in Atlanta, where Robinson could potentially end up, further supports this assumption.
Joe dismisses the possibility of Mayfield following Canales to Carolina, especially with Bryce Young already in place. To signal their seriousness about re-signing Mayfield, the Buccaneers should expedite an all-expenses-paid interview for Robinson, bringing him from Los Angeles to Tampa immediately.
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