Buccaneers want – As the Buccaneers and Baker Mayfield move toward a long-term contract extension, Tampa Bay’s coaching staff is also asking him to change how he handles contact—especially when he could get down or get out of bounds earlier to avoid avoidable injuries late in t
The conversations around Baker Mayfield’s next contract aren’t only about money or longevity. They’re also about body wear—what happens to a quarterback when small decisions turn into nagging injuries.
The Buccaneers are negotiating a long-term contract extension that would keep Mayfield as the franchise quarterback for years to come. but Tampa Bay wants to see him take better care of himself in ways that could keep him healthier for the long haul. Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports the Bucs are concerned Mayfield continues to neglect his health. with injuries that could be avoided by adjusting his habits—getting rid of the ball sooner. getting down earlier. and getting out of bounds instead of absorbing hits.
Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles framed it as a football skill tied directly to availability. “Understanding how to get down and putting himself out of harm’s way,” Bowles said, is part of what Mayfield can do to help the Buccaneers reach the Super Bowl.
Mayfield’s reliability has been clear on paper. He has started all 17 games in each of his three seasons in Tampa Bay. But Bowles emphasized that Tampa isn’t just counting starts. It’s focused on whether Mayfield can stay healthy when the season wears on and the weekly toll builds.
“He’s not going to miss any games. but he can take a little bit better care of himself in certain situations. ” Bowles said. “I understand when he’s a yard and a half or two from a first down. but not when it’s 10 yards or eight yards from the first down when he can get up and live another day. Unless it’s fourth and 10 in Houston and the game is on the line. and I understand why he’s doing those types of things. But if we can take care of that, we’ll be fine.”.
For Bowles, it isn’t about telling Mayfield to stop running. It’s about how he chooses to finish runs—especially in spots where the play might be moving toward contact anyway. Bowles said sliding to avoid hits when Mayfield runs the ball is an area where Mayfield can improve.
“Getting down, he can do a little bit better job,” Bowles said. “I’m not saying all of them, but there are two or three where he’d like to have back where he can get down and not hurt himself.”
With an extension likely on the way. Tampa’s message is simple: Mayfield’s next chapter should be about protecting his future as much as it is about securing his present. At 31 years old. Mayfield remains a central piece of the Buccaneers’ plans—and the team’s hope is that. with the right adjustments. he’ll have many healthy years left to lead them.
Buccaneers Baker Mayfield Todd Bowles NFL contract extension franchise quarterback health injuries sliding getting out of bounds
So basically coach is telling him to slide more lol.
I get it but QBs always take hits, like the whole league. If they’re worried about injuries they should stop giving him plays where he has to scramble late in the game.
This sounds like they’re blaming Mayfield for getting hurt? Like wasn’t it the O-line too? Also “getting down earlier” seems easy until you’re getting chased by defenders, but ok Todd Bowles.
Every time I hear this I’m like… why didn’t he do this already? If he started all 17 games each year then maybe he just hasn’t had bad injuries yet, and now they’re trying to rewrite history before the extension. Coaches always want more “availability” like it’s a switch. Next they’ll be telling him to wear a bubble or something.