Former NFL exec praises Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield, Todd Bowles dynamic

Some understandably want to credit Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales for why quarterback Baker Mayfield may have found a long-term home with the franchise, but Pat Kirwan believes head coach Todd Bowles deserves praise for how he's handled the first overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. 

"He’s playing like, you know, this is the greatest job he ever had," Kirwan said about Mayfield during a recent segment on the SiriusXM NFL Radio "Movin' The Chains" program, per the JoeBucsFan website. "So I give Todd a lot of credit for getting Baker to this spot, thinking [about] the road Baker was on. You think about Baker bouncing around the league." 

Mayfield seemingly had falling-outs with coaching staffs during stints with the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers before he enjoyed a cup of coffee with the Los Angeles Rams late last season. The 28-year-old signed a one-year "prove it" contract with the Buccaneers early into this past offseason amid whispers claiming Bowles preferred to play Mayfield over 2021 second-round draft choice Kyle Trask, and things are looking up for Tampa Bay after the club lost six of seven games but then won back-to-back contests to improve to 6-7. 

According to ESPN stats, Mayfield enters Week 15 tied for ninth in the NFL with 20 touchdown passes on the season. He's 18th among qualified players with a 52.3 adjusted QBR, 17th with an 89.7 passer rating and 13th with 274 total completions. 

While Tampa Bay, the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints all began Thursday at 6-7, the Buccaneers hold tiebreaker advantages as it pertains to the NFC South standings heading into Week 15. Mayfield made it known multiple times this week he wants to stay with the Bucs beyond this season, and one wonders if his relationship with Bowles will prevent ownership from making a coaching change as long as the signal-caller guides the club to even one playoff game.  

Mayfield and the Buccaneers next play at the 6-7 Green Bay Packers this Sunday.