Bruce Arians reveals biggest issue with Buccaneers' offense in 2022

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers struggled on offense in 2022 without Bruce Arians involved in the operation.

The 70-year-old stepped down as head coach last March, handing the keys of the ship over to defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. Arians, in turn, took on a senior football consultant role with the franchise, leaving the offense to offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and quarterback Tom Brady. The result was a drop off from 30.1 points per game in 2021 to 18.4 points per game in 2022.

Pinpointing what went wrong this past season is multi-layered, from injury woes to predictable play calling and perhaps some decline from the seven-time Super Bowl champion, but Arians has offered another reason.

Making a recent appearance on “The National Football Show,” Arians said that last year’s offense lacked “fire.” Arians hopes Baker Mayfield, who signed a one-year deal worth $4 million guaranteed with Tampa Bay this offseason, will help bring that fire.

“A little fire. I think we needed a little bit of fire on offense,” Arians said of Mayfield, via Joe Bucs Fan. “But you gotta go back and look at Kyle Trask [on May 23]; He had a great end of practice. So it’s a nice battle. So it’s a nice battle. You got two young guys who I think are extremely talented and they’re doing a great job.”

Bruce Arians loves what Baker Mayfield can bring to Buccaneers’ offense

Arians, known as the “quarterback whisperer,” added he believes Mayfield has the upper hand on Trask in the ongoing quarterback competition.

“Baker has been there and done it, and has I think a little bit of an edge just because of that leadership and having been in the huddle with pro guys a lot,” Arians said. “But the guys really respect Kyle also. I love [Baker]. I think he just brings a charisma and a fire to your offense.”

Ultimately for new offensive coordinator Dave Canales and the Buccaneers, the goal is to field the quarterback who will make the right plays and not put the football in harm’s way. That’s been a problem for Mayfield in the past, who threw 56 interceptions in four seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Mayfield is coming off a season in which he started 10 games for the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams. He threw for 2,163 yards with 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions on 60.0% passing.

Speaking recently on the “No Days Off” podcast from FOX 13 Tampa Bay, Canales discussed the quarterback competition and what will determine the victor.

“I think it’s partly just respecting the team. Respecting what’s best for everyone, and then also respecting Kyle’s process,” Canales said. “You know, he comes in as the second-round pick with high hopes. Obviously, what a great thing, Tom Brady’s been here, so he’s been able to learn from him… At the same time he’s worked really hard to try to have an opportunity to show what he can do.”