Liam Coen hopeful Buccaneers keep Baker Mayfield

For the majority of his six-year NFL career, Baker Mayfield has seldom had continuity.

Four teams in a span of a year will do that to you. But heading into his seventh season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback appears to have found it. Tampa Bay named Liam Coen its offensive coordinator Saturday, replacing Dave Canales, who took the head coaching job with the Carolina Panthers.

Coen is yet another play-caller for Mayfield, yes, but one whose philosophies and system very much align with what Canales did in Tampa Bay this season. Mayfield also had a five-game stint with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022 when Coen served as the team’s offensive coordinator.

Mayfield, who signed a one-year deal last offseason, may be set to be a free agent once again, but Coen made it clear Tuesday he came to Tampa Bay in part to work with Mayfield.

“I want him to be here,” Coen said during his introductory press conference, via the team’s website. “It’s probably more ‘want’ than ‘know.’ He’s obvious a reason that I’m here. That’s real. But at the end of the day, this is going to be collaborative, hopefully. I think he wants to be here, but we know it’s a long way to go.

“It’s a long way to go, and I want him to be here. I think he wants to be here. He wants to work with me and do this with Coach [Todd Bowles] and the organization. He has had nothing but great things to say about this place, so hopefully that can get done.”

Liam Coen excited to work with Baker Mayfield

Mayfield, 28, is coming off his best season as a pro, throwing for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 64.3% passing. His passer rating of 94.6 was the second highest of his career. He earned his first-career Pro Bowl nomination and led the Buccaneers to their third consecutive NFC South title.

Coen plans on building upon what Tampa Bay did right in 2023, and getting even more out of Mayfield if he returns as the team’s quarterback next season.

“I still believe that he has a lot of room to grow, especially this piece,” said Coen, tapping the side of his head. “I think it’s something that he doesn’t get enough credit for, honestly, his study habits, his work habits, his preparation. And I think he wants more. I mean, he wants more… they want more as an offense. What’s nice is it helps you get into better looks. … To be able to get us into the best looks possible, that’s where I also think he can continue to grow.”