“Baker is at the forefront of our mind at all times,” Jason Licht said on The Drive with TKras about Mayfield entering the final year of his deal. “All of our plans revolve around Baker. That’s something that we’ll get to at some point. I have had a lot of discussions with Baker about the team.

“We texted during the draft after some of the picks. I know he was excited about the players that we took. We have a great relationship. And listen, nobody here wants Baker to be playing for any other team, so I’ll just leave it at that.”

The former quarterback of the Cleveland Browns has exceeded expectations on the $33 million-per-year deal he signed back in 2024, a contract with no guaranteed money. Will the general manager ultimately succeed in his aim of keeping him in Tampa Bay for the long term?

Mayfield seems to have found his place in the NFL

Baker Mayfield’s tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has sparked a remarkable career resurgence, reaching its peak during the 2025 season. Leading the team through all 17 games, Mayfield threw for 3,693 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, finishing the year with a solid 90.6 passer rating.

This stability in Tampa marks his best version since entering the NFL, contrasting sharply with his turbulent journey as a former first-overall pick. After a rollercoaster start with the Cleveland Browns and a difficult 2022 stint split between the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Rams, Mayfield found the perfect environment in Florida.

By securing consecutive division titles and proving to be a high-level starter, he has finally moved past the “journeyman” label, transforming from a displaced starter into the undisputed leader of the Buccaneers’ offense.

What is Mayfield’s contract situation?

Baker Mayfield is entering a decisive stage with the franchise to secure his future with the Bucs. With the situation of Daniel Jones on the Indianapolis Colts as a reference ($44 million per year would appear to be the absolute floor), both sides will look for an agreement that places the quarterback higher than the last seasons.

A potential extension could see the two sides agree on a multi-year deal worth between $45 million and $50 million per year, aligning him with the current market for top-10 quarterbacks and potentially lowering his immediate cap hit to provide the team with more flexibility for the 2026 season.

In an exclusive interview with Bolavip, the former Argentine kicker spoke about the current state of the Bucs, delving into what lies ahead for the NFL, and also the valuation of his position, a legacy that his children intend to continue.

In addition, he made it clear who he thinks the GOAT in football is. Gramatica, charismatic and with great analytical ability, emphasized that the league has everything it takes to conquer the entire world and did not miss the opportunity to outline which teams could reach the 2027 Super Bowl.

Bucs’ missed opportunity in 2025 NFL season

Bolavip: You’re someone very closely linked to Tampa, to the Buccaneers. You’re a historic figure for the franchise. Let me ask you: how did you see last season’s ending? It was a very tight division, it almost slipped away. Do you think there was a specific reason why they couldn’t push a bit further?

Martin Gramatica: It was disappointing, honestly, because we were one win away from making the playoffs with five or six games left. If we had won one of those, we would’ve made it. Unfortunately, we couldn’t. We did beat Carolina in the last game, thinking we were in. Atlanta didn’t help us because it beat the Saints, and Carolina ended up going to the playoffs.

We started really well too, I think we were 5–1, there was talk of Baker Mayfield as MVP, everything was perfect, and then the team slowly fell apart. We also had a lot of key injuries—every team has injuries, but when you lose your top two receivers, first Mike Evans, then Chris Godwin. (Emeka) Egbuka started well but then the longer season hit him a bit, the NFL season wore on him a little in the second half of the season.

So I don’t know if I can point to one single factor, there were many factors that didn’t help us. And obviously, being that close and not winning one game out of six, that really hurt.

Bolavip: Recently, Lavonte David spoke about all the injuries Mayfield had to go through last season, and that maybe if he had been healthier, the outcome would have been different. Do you agree with him?

Martin Gramatica: Yes, for sure, because Baker started out, as I said, on his way to MVP. And then his performance dropped a bit, but he took a lot of hits. He got hit a lot. And I think little by little, it started to wear on him, and then he had an injury to his left arm. And even though you don’t throw with your left arm, you use it for balance.

He also had, I think, a hit to his knee as well and his ankle. So, those are all things that one might think ‘Oh, he just throws with his arm.’ But he uses his whole body to throw, and besides his best weapon is when everything breaks down, and he takes off running and gets those first downs.

During that stretch when he was half injured, half banged up, he wasn’t running as much because he knew he couldn’t take a hit. I’m not saying it was fear of getting hit, because this guy lowers his helmet and runs into a wall if he has to, to get a first down.

The thing is, he was protecting himself because one bad hit would have taken him out of the game. He even missed half a game, I think it was Detroit, I don’t remember which one it was, where he left at halftime due to injury. So yeah, that didn’t help him at all. And then also having his superstars get injured. Because the timing with the other receivers also didn’t help him.

Bucs’ future without Mike Evans and 2026 NFL Draft expectations

Bolavip: And now Evans’ absence will be felt—a guy who made history and broke records…

Martin Gramatica: I think it’s going to be felt, especially on the emotional side, because of his leadership and also because he’s an amazing player on the field, obviously, and that safety valve when there was a problem Mayfield would say ‘Ok, I’ll just throw it to Mike Evans and he’ll catch it.’ Especially in the red zone.

And the pressure that Chris Godwin and Egbuka will feel now. Because they’ll be the leaders of that receiver group and they’ll need to have a really great season. Especially Chris Godwin, who’s a veteran, who’s had many injuries, who had a spectacular year when he signed his contract and then injury after injury he hasn’t been able to stay consistent.

So I think this year is key for him. Not only stat-wise in terms of statistics, but also in staying healthy and playing every game. Because that’s also key. He hasn’t been able to finish a season healthy in the last few years.

Bolavip: Now the closest event is the NFL Draft, which keeps everyone on edge. Do you have any idea about what the Bucs might do? What do you think they need?

Martin Gramatica: Last year showed us that they can do anything. They pick who they believe is the best player available at that moment. Last year there was a lot of talk that we needed defensive players. That we needed an edge rusher, someone who could put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and they went with (Emeka) Egbuka, a receiver, who honestly did well, right? And besides, I think they were already looking ahead. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin getting older, they needed a young guy.

But I think this year is very similar, I think they need a defensive player who comes in with intensity and character. It could be a linebacker because Lavonte David just retired. An edge rusher too—we haven’t had outside pass rush, right? Vita Vea is a wall in the middle, but on the edges we haven’t had someone who can really put pressure on quarterbacks.

But with the Bucs you never know—Jason Licht often surprises. And it’s worked pretty well for him, right? Look at Bucky Irving, an amazing player who was picked in the third round. We focus on the first round, but it’s usually the second, third, or fourth round guys who sometimes surprise everyone, because nobody expected anything, and then they’re starters.

NFL continues to expand

Bolavip: Another big topic is the NFL’s expansion into different countries and cities around the world: Australia, Rio… Do you think the league can really establish itself in other cultures?

Martin Gramatica: Yes, it already has. From a financial standpoint, it’s good for the NFL, good for those cities. The fans in Europe, I went to the game when the Bucs played in London, and the stadium is always packed. What you do see is jerseys of all colors, because they’re fans of all different teams, and there’s a little group of Bucs fans at that time with Carolina.

But the fanbase, yes, there are a lot and I see it also in South America, right? Also Argentina itself has a league, an equipped Flag Football League that competes. So what has made the sport so much more visible and made people start liking it more is social media. It gives access to the sport, because before we had no way to watch it.

When I came at age 9 I didn’t know football existed in the US. Back home we played soccer, a little tennis and that was it. I knew about rugby, right? And a little bit basketball. Now people do know they exist and there are even kids who like it. There are fans in Argentina who prefer football over soccer. That seems crazy to me, but they grew up watching it and liking it.

In Europe they follow it a lot too. Well, when we played a preseason game in Japan, I think it was in 2004 after the Super Bowl, it was a preseason game and it was insane. People would come to practice sessions, the stadium was packed. They knew everything, they even had little cards with photos. For them it was like their Super Bowl, because the games only came once a year. So I think that’s why the NFL knows that it has a strong presence worldwide and that’s why they’re expanding to other countries.

There won’t be another Tom Brady

Bolavip: And regarding your career—you won a Super Bowl, spent time with New England, Indianapolis, New Orleans… and therefore worked with Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning. What was it like?

Martin Gramatica: Well, I’ll always have a soft spot for Brad Johnson because we won the Super Bowl together. The truth is they are players who were stars, they still are stars. Not just in the NFL, even after retiring they’re still superstars because they’re Hall of Famers. And they’re all different, right? Different kind of leaders too.

The truth is Peyton Manning, I remember during practices, the same with Tom Brady, they both wanted to be perfect in practice. With Drew Brees I didn’t connect as much. He was somewhat distant from teammates. I don’t know, Brees’ personality was different, I never got to really know him.

But Brady and Manning, it was impressive what they demanded from their teammates and what they demanded from themselves. And that’s why you see where their teams ended up, right?

Peyton Manning was unlucky to play in the same era as Tom Brady. If not, he would have won three or four Super Bowls. It’s like Cristiano Ronaldo. He is an amazing player but he happened to play in Lionel Messi’s era. So nobody talks about Ronaldo, everyone talks about Messi, because he is so much better. So well, that’s what happened to Manning with Brady. But they’re both superstars.

Bolavip: Let’s say over the last 10 years, do you see in that position someone who reached or can reach Brady’s level?

Martin Gramatica: Brady’s level of winning 7 Super Bowls, I don’t think anyone gets there. Because at one point, I thought Patrick Mahomes could, if Kansas City had beaten Tampa, he would have gotten a bit closer.

But now seven against three Super Bowls, I don’t see Patrick Mahomes catching Brady, not a chance. And no, I don’t think there is, and the way the league is, there’s no player you can point to and say he’s going to be the Tom Brady of the future, who’s going to win four or five Super Bowls or play 20 years either, right?

I don’t think there’s a name like that, no. I really couldn’t tell you because what Tom Brady did is something special, not only for what he did by winning the Super Bowls. Reaching 10 Super Bowls and winning seven, that was impressive. What a career. That is very hard to match, very hard to match.

The value of kickers in the NFL

Bolavip: And in your position, which often defines games, do you think kickers are undervalued?

Martin Gramatica: Before, yes. Now they’re more valued. Today they kick 65 or 70-yard field goals. Contracts are also better. But it always depends on the team. They know that, you can have the best kicker in the league, but if you don’t have the best quarterback you’re not going to win. As a kicker you get it and you know that.

The kicker has the best job Monday to Saturday and the hardest on Sunday: few chances, all or nothing. It’s similar to a goalkeeper in soccer—you can save everything but people remember the one mistake. The pressure is different from any other position because you have very few chances.

Bolavip: Your longest kick was 55 yards. Could a kicker from your era play in today’s NFL?

Martin Gramatica: Yes, the position hasn’t changed much. The setup is the same: distance, angle, snap. Training changed, but the role is similar.

Bolavip: Thinking about the future, your sons Nico Gramatica and Gaston Gramatica…

Martin Gramatica: Well, the only thing what I always say is that we are extremely proud of how they work and how focused they are, of their dedication and the sacrifice they’re making to get there.

You never know if they’ll make it or not because it’s also very hard to make it, you need luck. You need to find a team that let’s you kick, so there are many variables, which is why some very talented kids don’t make it, while others maybe less talented do make it because they have better luck.

The only thing I always say about the kids is that they work themselves to the bone, they are super focused, super dedicated to making it. What I always tell them, whether they make it or not, they shouldn’t regret not having done enough to get there. And if they give everything, and it doesn’t work out, at least they gave it everything, so they can’t blame themselves.

But in that regard, we are incredibly proud. Because Nico, well, being the example as the older brother. And then Gaston too, because it’s not easy to get a scholarship here. It’s very hard, and especially coming out of High School. Because now with the portal, they pick players with College experience.

Nico had the chance to go to USF, and two years later, Gaston goes as well. He was also offered a scholarship by Texas. In football, Texas is very strong, North Carolina also offered him a scholarship out of High School. So you can see that they’ve noticed the effort and his work too.

A hypothetic Super Bowl LXI matchup

Bolavip: And finally, who would you like to see in the next Super Bowl?

Martin Gramatica: You’re putting me in a tough spot, I haven’t even thought about next year! But well, obviously from the NFC, I want the Bucs to be there. I liked what Vrabel did with New England, how he changed the face of the team.

But I would like to see Buffalo make it because I love Josh Allen. And then well, I’m a big fan of (John) Harbaugh, who now went to New York, I don’t want them to make it because it’s on our side of the Conference, but he was the first one to interview me on the NFL, when he was in Philadelphia.

I was just doing some cleaning and I still have his card from when he was in Philadelphia. He was Special Teams Coach back then. That’s why I’ve always liked him, he was a great guy. And gave me a lot of advice knowing that he didn’t need a kicker. He said ‘I want to interview you so that you can get those nerves out, because I don’t need a kicker right now, but i want to help you.’

So a guy that I truly always appreciated that, what he did for me. But yes, so I’d like to see Buffalo make it from the AFC, and obviously Tampa from the NFC side, right?

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH MARTIN GRAMATICA ON BOLAVIP US:

Reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN, Hall signed a one-year deal with the Buccaneers. Hall played for the Titans in 2024, where he played just four games. He had previous stints with the Chargers and Cowboys.

Hall will be a depth piece, as the Buccaneers saw how their last season was hampered by injuries. He will back up Benjamin Morrison and/or Zyon McCollum. He could also slot in the nickel to back up Jacob Parrish.

Baker is in charge of repairing the offense

The offense was also very injured, including Baker Mayfield who was certainly challenged by his health. Still, he played throughout the season hurt. The task is now to make the offense a fearsome unit once again, even if Mike Evans won’t be there anymore.

Mayfield will use Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, and Emeka Egbuka as his primary receivers, with Tez Johnson as a very solid WR4. Add that to a great running game featuring Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell, and the tools are there to reignite the offense.

Tampa Bay is facing high pressure

After four seasons of dominance in the NFC South, the Bucs had a losing record and lost the division to the Carolina Panthers. They fired their offensive coordinator, Todd Bowles is in the hot-seat as a head coach, and now they lost the best wideout in franchise history.

Hence, it’s a team that must have a good season, and that needs to go back to win a very achievable division. After all, the NFC South has two teams in rebuilding (Saints, Falcons), a volatile team in the Panthers, and the Bucs, that if they manage to stay healthy, are far and away the best team out of the four.

“The season’s over now, I can talk about it,” David revealed, via JoeBucsFan.com. “Man, Baker was going through a lot, bro. Baker had a lot of injuries that you didn’t expect a quarterback to play through.

“You know what I’m saying? He had the oblique injury, he had the shoulder injury, he had a lot of things. You know, ankle injury, knee injury. . . . He was really trying to push through and really trying to be the player that we needed him to be.”

Mayfield’s performance despite his injuries

Baker Mayfield followed his breakout 2024 campaign with another solid performance in 2025, leading the Buccaneers to an 8-9 record while remaining one of the league’s most productive passers. He finished the season with 3,693 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, ranking in the top 10 across the NFL in both yards and scoring strikes.

His efficiency was highlighted by a career-high 382 rushing yards and a notable Week 5 performance against the Seahawks, where he completed 87.9% of his passes. Off the field, his leadership was recognized league-wide as he served as the Buccaneers’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.

Is Mayfield now 100% healthy?

David’s recent statements have raised concerns among both fans and outsiders. However, so far there have been no reports of any injuries that Mayfield might be dealing with, so he is expected to begin his initial practices with teammates as usual.

Buccaneers QB room

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ quarterback room is headlined by starter Baker Mayfield, who remains the undisputed leader of the offense. Behind him, the depth chart features veteran backup Jake Browning, the former Bengals signal-caller known for his poise, and Connor Bazelak, who rounds out the group as they gear up for the 2026 campaign.

The Buccaneers could be facing the loss of a key piece of Mayfield’s offense. Evans’ contract with Tampa Bay has expired, and the star receiver is expected to listen to offers as he explores the open market.

According to Deryk Gilmore, Evans’ agent, the veteran wideout plans to play in 2026, per NFL Media. However, he intends to test free agency to evaluate the best opportunity available — while not ruling out a potential return to Tampa Bay.

Mike Evans could be a highly sought-after free agent

Although his 2025 NFL season was not as productive as usual — largely due to injuries — Evans remains one of the league’s most reliable receivers. That reputation is expected to draw significant interest from multiple teams this offseason.

Evans has spent 12 seasons with the Buccaneers. In his first 11 years, he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in every season, failing to reach that milestone in 2025 after missing 10 games due to a broken collarbone and a hamstring injury.

When healthy, Evans is one of the most dependable wide receivers in the NFL. Still, he will need to assure interested teams that he is fully recovered in order to secure a lucrative contract for the 2026 season.

Which teams could be interested in Mike Evans?

The Buccaneers remain a logical suitor. Evans has been a cornerstone of the franchise despite playing with multiple quarterbacks over the years, and he recently developed strong chemistry with Baker Mayfield.

Beyond Tampa Bay, teams such as the Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders, and Kansas City Chiefs could also monitor his situation closely. Ultimately, Evans’ decision may come down to both financial value and the opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl next season.

For more than a decade, Lavonte David has been defending the colors of the Buccaneers, arguably in one of the most physically demanding positions on the field. While the linebacker has stated he feels in peak condition, retirement in the near future cannot be ruled out.

“I feel good,” David recently told the Caps Off podcast via JoeBucsFan.com. “You know, I’m healthy. I’m happy. I’m undecided [on retiring]. I’m genuinely undecided, like I don’t know. I don’t know.

“I still got a lot of football left in me. I know that for sure. I still love the game. I know that for sure. The other side is I want to spend more time with my daughter. She’s in school, so [I’ve been] taking her to school and it’s a good feeling.”

A pillar in Mayfield’s team

Lavonte David stands as the ultimate paragon of consistency and loyalty in Tampa Bay, having started every single one of the 215 regular-season games he has played for the franchise.

Despite a career defined by elite production—earning a First-Team All-Pro nod in 2013 and two Second-Team honors—he remains one of the most underrated defenders in NFL history, evidenced by the fact that he has somehow been voted to the Pro Bowl only once.

As David contemplates the twilight of his career, his potential departure or retirement looms large over the Buccaneers‘ locker room. For Baker Mayfield, losing such a foundational ‘iron man’ would be a devastating blow; David isn’t just a defensive anchor, but the emotional heartbeat of the team, and his absence would leave Mayfield without the veteran leadership that has stabilized the roster during his tenure in Florida.

Mike Evans has been a standout wide receiver for 12 years. However, after several seasons battling injuries and failing to stay fully healthy, his 13th year in the league is now in jeopardy. Nevertheless, Mayfield believes the veteran will return for a key reason: Buccaneers new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.

“I don’t have to really plea with it,” Mayfield said. “Mike’s too much of a competitor and cares too much about Tampa to end his career without 1,000 yards, without a division championship, without a playoff run. And that, first of all, speaks to who Mike is but that’s the truth. And you know he doesn’t want to do that. You could just kind of feel it.

“Listen, I don’t have any info. I’ve told Mike, ‘This is your decision. Take your time doing it.’ But, understanding who Mike is, this is my guess, that he didn’t want it to end this way. He knows the potential if we’re able to stay a little bit more healthy. Zac will do great things for us, and we’ll go from there. But Mike’s got more in the tank. You could tell with the energy, the fire he had at the end of the year.”

Age is not just a number

Mike Evans has been a cornerstone of the Buccaneers’ offense for over a decade. Unfortunately, the 32-year-old is beginning to feel the effects of his veteran status, as injuries during the 2025 season sidelined him for much of the year.

The same situation occurred with Chris Godwin. While he has been a reliable target for Baker Mayfield, he has also struggled to stay healthy in recent seasons, forcing the team to rely heavily on a younger option for much of the 2025 campaign.

Emeka Egbuka entered the season as the WR3. However, with both Evans and Godwin dealing with injuries, the rookie stepped up as the primary wide receiver, developing strong chemistry with Mayfield and giving fans optimism about a future without the veteran duo.

If Evans ultimately decides to retire, Godwin is expected to take over as WR1, with Egbuka moving into the WR2 role. While the wide receiver group would still be solid, the Buccaneers’ offense would undoubtedly look very different without Evans on the field.

According to multiple reports, Josh Grizzard has been hired as the Eagles’ pass game coordinator. This comes almost immediately after the announcement that Sean Mannion will become the new offensive coordinator.

Grizzard failed to deliver as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator. After not being able to work it out with Baker Mayfield, now Grizzard will help Mannion with Jalen Hurts.

This is a known position for Grizzard

Before being an offensive coordinator on the Buccaneers, he had this same exact position of being a pass game coordinator. To be fair, he was great in that role, so much so that he was promoted. Now, it’s back to his bread and butter and with a loaded roster of Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown, and DeVonta Smith as the core of the passing game of the Eagles.

Grizzard was also in the mix to be the team’s offensive coordinator. He will now be entering a tough spot. Even though the Eagles have a loaded roster, the fact is that this team has some serious dysfunction. The talent is huge, but so is the drama.

All eyes are on Nick Sirianni

Sirianni is an offensive-minded head coach, and that’s why all eyes are on him. When a team has a QB like Jalen Hurts, a star running back like Saquon Barkley, two star receivers in AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, and a star tight end in Dallas Goedert, you must deliver. Sirianni is not one to call plays, but he can’t trust blindly on his coordinators. That is a boom-or-bust recipe.

Hence, if Mannion and Grizzard don’t work, all the blame will be put on Sirianni this time. Despite going to two Super Bowls and winning one of them in only five years, he might be on the hot seat. The team’s offense was what didn’t click last year, as defensive coordinator Vic Fangio kept delivering an elite level of play in his unit.

Todd Bowles was clear on why they chose Zac Robinson as the new OC. “I was very impressed with his plan for getting the most out of the talent we have on that side of the ball. He has a very good understanding of the strengths of our top offensive players,” Todd Bowles said via a team’s statement. He then added, “I am very confident in his ability to teach and develop our young players.”

Robinson knows the Buccaneers’ weapons very well, as he was the Falcons OC in years prior. Hence, he played against Tampa Bay twice a year. He will replace Josh Grizzard, who only had one year and failed to deliver.

Zac Robinson has a lot of pressure

Robinson really needs to bring the heat, as Baker Mayfield is already reigniting beef with Kevin Stefanski, who is the new HC of the Falcons. Also, his reputation is on the line. He had four different first rounders on the Falcons roster, and the offense was still not great. Despite having Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Michael Penix Jr. and three first rounders on the offensive line, the Falcons were still not a feared opponent.

Now, he will have an even more stacked offensive roster to work with. Two of the last three OCs on the Bucs have become head coaches in the NFL. Both Dave Canales and Liam Coen are doing wonderful jobs in their respective teams. Therefore, this is a job were Robinson could use as a trampoline if he provides on the promise of making this offense a powerhouse.

The Bucs offensive weaponry is incredibly elite and deep

There is no reason for Tampa Bay not to have a top five offense in the NFL next year. If healthy, the Bucs only need a decent playcalling and they could absolutely blast any defense in front of him.

• QB: Baker Mayfield
• RB: Bucky Irving
• WR: Mike Evans / Jalen McMillan
• WR: Chris Godwin / Sterling Shepard
• WR: Emeka Egbuka / Tez Johnson
• TE: Cade Otton

And from here on out, we’re set to witness a compelling matchup that has already started to heat up well before the preseason even begins. What’s the story behind it? The NFC South will bring together two familiar faces, as Stefanski is set to square off against Baker Mayfield — a quarterback who doesn’t exactly hold fond memories of his former head coach.

That tension was clearly reflected in the Buccaneers QB’s response to a post from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter, in which the reporter claimed that Stefanski “had a dumpster fire at quarterback in Cleveland,” with Baker Mayfield and Deshaun Watson having both “failed.”

“Failed is quite the reach pal,” Mayfield didn’t hold back in his response. “Still waiting on a text/call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage. Can’t wait to see you twice a year, Coach.“

Mayfield’s tenure in Cleveland

Baker Mayfield’s tenure with the Cleveland Browns was a rollercoaster of high expectations and ultimate friction. After arriving as the 2018 top pick and setting a rookie record for passing touchdowns, Mayfield initially thrived despite a revolving door of coaching changes.

The arrival of Kevin Stefanski in 2020 seemed to be the missing piece, as the duo led Cleveland to a historic playoff run. However, the relationship soon soured; the rigid structure of Stefanski’s system never quite meshed with Mayfield’s playstyle.

By 2021, a severe labrum injury further strained the partnership, leading to a breakdown in communication and performance that eventually forced the franchise to trade its former cornerstone to the Carolina Panthers.

Falcons and Bucs will go head-to-head

The upcoming 2026 NFC South race will be defined by two pivotal clashes between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While the official NFL schedule is still pending, it is confirmed that the rivalry will split between the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

These matchups carry extra weight this year due to the spicy reunion between Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and his former Browns coach, Kevin Stefanski, who is now leading the Falcons.

The Buccaneers failed to secure their fifth consecutive NFC South title in 2025. The team fell well short of expectations, fueling speculation about whether Todd Bowles would return in 2026—especially after the Ravens fired John Harbaugh.

Despite the rumors, Bowles has now confirmed that he will return as head coach in 2026. According to the Tampa Bay Times, he met with team ownership on Tuesday and secured his position for at least one more season.

The last chance for Todd Bowles

While Todd Bowles has confirmed his return for 2026, it could represent his final opportunity to prove he can deliver postseason success with the Buccaneers. Since taking over as head coach in 2022, he has led Tampa Bay to three NFC South titles, but the organization expects deeper playoff runs.

Under Bowles’ leadership, the Buccaneers have lost twice in the Wild Card round and once in the Divisional round. The roster remains talented, yet the team has lacked the dominance it displayed during its Super Bowl run in 2020 with Tom Brady at quarterback.

The team’s decision to retain Bowles signals strong confidence in him. Nevertheless, many fans believe 2026 could be his final season in Tampa Bay if he fails to reclaim the NFC South and guide the team on a deep playoff run with this talented roster.

Will Baker Mayfield return with the Buccaneers in 2026?

Baker Mayfield is entering the final year of the contract extension he signed with the Buccaneers in 2024, so he is expected to return next season. He has been solid for Tampa Bay, but production alone means little if it does not translate into postseason success.

At 32 years old, Mayfield could be in line for another extension, though it would likely be a short-term deal. The Buccaneers must also begin planning for their long-term future at quarterback to avoid another last-minute transition like the one that followed Tom Brady’s retirement in 2023.