Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield gets candid on ‘optimist bully’ Dave Canales bringing Bryce Young’s mojo back
Last season, Baker Mayfield had his career rejuvenated, and part of the success was due to Buccaneers offensive coordinator, Dave Canales, and the rest of the coaching staff led by Todd Bowles. In the Bucs' first season post Tom Brady, Mayfield led the Buccaneers to the playoffs with a 9-8 regular season record defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in the wildcard round.
Joining his fourth team in three years, Mayfield was looking for a place to call home last season. After his successful 2023-2024 campaign, reaching career-highs in passing yards and touchdowns, the Buccaneers rewarded him with a three-year $100 million contract.
Canales was hired this off-season in Carolina as the Panthers head coach, after a successful year as Tampa Bay's OC. He inherits a 2-15 Panthers team with a second-year quarterback in Bryce Young who struggled last season.
After Canales helped Mayfield get back on track, The former #1 pick thinks he'll also be good for Young's development.
Mayfield said:
“He’s very relatable. Smart guy. He took our receivers coach from Tampa with him to be the OC, Brad Idzik. Really really good football mind. I think those two guys together around Bryce is gonna be good for him. Dave’s the definition of an optimist bully. It could be the worst day ever, everything could be going wrong and he’s sitting there like ‘Guys, we got the next play!’ He’s got a big ol’ smile on his face and you’re like ‘This guy’s full of s**t’ but not that’s literally who he is. And that’s really refreshing." [1:32:50]
Baker Mayfield is excited for year two with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield has finally found a stable home since leaving the Cleveland Browns in 2021.
Mayfield was traded to the Carolina Panthers before the start of the 2022 season and was released mid-season, before signing with the Los Angeles Rams for the remainder of the season and becoming a free agent in 2023.
Last season, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who offered him a shot at becoming their starting quarterback.
After throwing for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns, and leading Tampa to the playoffs, Mayfield got a contract to be a Buccaneer for the next three years.
Appearing on the Mike Calta Show last Thursday, Mayfield said he's 'excited' about heading into year two with the Buccaneers.
"I'm so excited to be heading into another season with these guys, for the most part the same group, and just truly embrace that and build the chemistry even more."
The Buccaneers hired Liam Coen to replace former OC Dave Canales. Coen spent the last three seasons with the University of Kentucky and Los Angeles Rams, as offensive coordinator for both teams.
Do you think Baker Mayfield can lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the playoffs for a second straight season?