As NFL combine week begins, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles appears on Good Morning Football and discussed the importance of the team re-signing its two top free agents. – quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Mike Evans.
Todd Bowles: Retaining Baker Mayfield ‘is a huge priority’
Todd Bowles was asked for the first time Tuesday morning by Good Morning Football’s Peter Schrager about how much of a priority it is for the Bucs to keep Baker Mayfield in town. Mayfield will have other suitors on the open marketAnd after a career year, teams will need to approach his price tag. Based on Bowles’ comments, it seems like Tampa Bay will do their best to match that.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and HC Todd Bowles – Photo courtesy of USA Today
“This is a very high priority,” Bowles said. “We’re just a few days away from starting the league year, but we love Baker. Baker has had a great year and has fit in perfectly with us. The chemistry between him and all of our receivers and the entire offense is great. It was outstanding. You want to build on it and I understand the business side of it. Like I said, we like baking and we like to see things go well. hoping.”
Mayfield not only performed above expectations, but also served as the team’s key leader and identity. From the jump, he was a really good fit on both the offensive and defensive ends, working well with offensive coordinator Dave Canales. Canales left and was replaced by Liam Cohen, who is close to Mayfield.
Last season was a perfect game on many levels between a Bucs team that was counted out for Tom Brady’s departure and a quarterback in Mayfield that was counted out as a starter. Both sides proved the doubters wrong, and all signs are that they want to get it over with and keep building on what they got right.
Todd Bowles wants Mike Evans back
Bringing back Baker Mayfield is just part of the puzzle for the Bucks. Mike Evans, the best offensive player in team history, is also close to testing free agency. Todd Bowles doesn’t want to see the star veteran wideout jump ship and talked about how much he contributes to the organization and the city of Tampa.
Bucks WR Mike Evans – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
“He had a career year last year,” Bowles said. “He had a very productive year and has been doing it for 10 years now. We want him to retire as a back and everything we’re trying to do is We’re committed to signing Mike because he’s great for the community, he’s great for the team, he’s great for our players. He’s a great baseball player.”
If these comments sound familiar, inside linebacker Lavonte David He also recently said that if he were general manager, he would make bringing Evans back a top priority.
He will be 31 years old before next season starts, but he shows no signs of slowing down and plans to age gracefully by using his size and route knowledge to consistently produce in the open. I have the skill set to make it possible. .
It’s clear that Mayfield and Evans are two of the biggest priorities for the Bucks to bring back, and the coming weeks will see how they approach that and the roster they’ve shown they have the missing pieces. You’ll know if it’s added to. A place that continues to be a winning team in the NFC South.
