Analyst shares thoughts on Baker Mayfield regression after loss of OC

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles recently downplayed how the loss of offensive coordinator Dave Canales will impact quarterback Baker Mayfield this coming NFL season. 

On the latest edition of his "Unbuttoned" podcast, former signal-caller and current NFL analyst Chris Simms discussed that exact topic. 

"I feel like it is only going to go up and up with Baker Mayfield and his ability to lead," Simms said, per the JoeBucsFan website. "Take over that team."

Tampa Bay originally hired Canales after the 2022 campaign and before Mayfield signed a one-year "prove it" contract with the organization. Mayfield proceeded to rank 12th in the NFL with a 94.6 passer rating. He was also seventh with 28 touchdown passes and ninth with 4,044 passing yards en route to becoming a finalist for the Comeback Player of the Year Award. 

While Mayfield signed a new three-year contract with Tampa Bay after he guided the Buccaneers to a playoff victory, Canales left the club to become head coach of the Carolina Panthers. Tampa Bay eventually replaced Canales with Liam Coen, who was Mayfield's coordinator when both were with the Los Angeles Rams late in the 2022 season. 

"Dave Canales and that offense? I liked it," Simms said during the podcast. "They made adjustments. I certainly wasn’t sitting there, going, 'Oh my gosh, this is the greatest offense I’ve seen in football.' I will also say I was a little, even, surprised that he got a head coaching job already. I wasn’t expecting that." 

Simms added that he doesn't think "there is going to be a huge, huge difference" in Tampa Bay's offense now that Coen and not Canales is working with Mayfield this spring. 

It's believed that the Buccaneers could escape Mayfield's contract as soon as next offseason if he reverts to his worst days as an NFL quarterback without Canales. DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Buccaneers' over/under win total for the 2024 season at 8.5. 

Mayfield may need to notch at least nine victories with Coen to silence doubters who believe Canales was responsible for "fixing" the 29-year-old signal-caller last year.