Baker Mayfield is searching for more big plays in 2025 under new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard.
"We're trying to get some more explosive [plays] in," the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback said Tuesday, via the team's official transcript. "Obviously, when you look at the stats -- I'm not a big stats guy -- but we weren't as much down-the-field explosive. We were creating a lot of open, in the middle, and guys getting some YAC."
Those stats that Mayfield doesn't much care for bear out his point. Tampa finished the season sixth in yards per pass attempt (7.89) but 29th in air yards per throw (6.8). The difference underscores the reliance on yards after catch last season.
On the occasions Mayfield did throw deep, it wasn't very successful. The Bucs attempted 20-plus-yard passes on 7.5% of their attempts, ranking 28th, with a 32.6% success rate, ranking 21st. According to Next Gen Stats, their EPA per dropback on deep throws was 0.19, ranking 20th in the league. Mayfield also threw five touchdowns to four interceptions on deep shots.
Tampa has the weapons to increase the downfield shots if Grizzard calls for them more than former offensive coordinator Liam Coen did last season. Mike Evans has always been a vertical weapon. Jalen McMillan showed flashes last year of being a deep threat. The additions of rookie Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson bring that ability. Chris Godwin might not be a regular deep threat, but when healthy, he can add to them by attracting coverage.
Mayfield said building a rapport to increase the number of downfield shots is one thing the new offense is focusing on during minicamp.
"[We're] working on that, being able to connect on the chemistry we're trying to build right now and just the timing of some of these routes -- where the landmarks are and understanding that if it's two-high [safety coverage], one-high [safety coverage], where we're trying to throw the ball," he said. "This is the time of year we're working on it. Obviously, you would love to have more down-the-field shots, but any completion is a good one."
During his career, Mayfield hasn't been shy about taking shots when they're there. However, as he has grown, the quarterback has shown the patience not to force it either. The hope in Tampa is that the weapons at his disposal will lead to more deep passes. At the very least, if he threatens deep more than 7.5% of the time, it could help open up those underneath routes even more in 2025.
