Baker Mayfield: “We’re Not Going To Be A Run-First Team”

Heading into the offseason, much was made of how the Bucs’ offense was going to be overhauled with a more balanced attack. No more setting NFL records for passing attempts, but instead focusing on forming a Seahawks-style offense under Dave Canales that would be efficient through the air and on the ground.

Well, pump the brakes on that notion. Quarterback Baker Mayfield revealed on Thursday that after six games, that may not be the case after what they have seen – and the Bucs may start relying more on his arm to keep them in games and to get back in the win column.

Baker Mayfield Lets Bucs’ Offensive Identity Slip

Whether he meant to or not, Baker Mayfield let it be known that he does not see the Bucs being a run-first team. While that is little surprise to those who have watched Tampa Bay’s struggles on the ground, it is a little eye-opening that he would disclose this a third of the way through their season.

“Obviously, being able to run the ball efficiently definitely helps,” Mayfield said. “We’ve talked about how we need to be better – we all know that. It’s just little things here and there. We had a big run, and it was called back on a holding call. We’re kind of learning that we’re not going to be a run-first team, but we’re still going to do it when we need to.

“Those are the times that we have to be targeting the right spots, everybody has to have a hat on a hat and just get the job done when we need to. When it comes down to it, it’s just execution. Whatever play is called we just have to find a way to make it work.”

With all of the hype about swapping out an overpaid and unproductive Leonard Fournette for a promising Rachaad White, a new modernized zone run scheme, and having the personnel to run it properly, that has quickly died down. That is not to say the running game will never get going, but it should not be expected to happen anytime soon. There has not been much of anything to suggest otherwise, but Mayfield did add they are still going to run it when needed and attempt to get the job done.

Bucs’ Best Foot Forward Is Going Pass-Heavy

What was most telling during the Bucs’ 16-13 loss last week to the Falcons was the pass-run split. Baker Mayfield threw 42 passes, while Rachaad White (13) and Ke’Shawn Vaughn (4) combined for 17 carries for just 41 yards. The rushing yardage and average were propped up by Mayfield’s three scrambles for 32 yards, including a 31-yard scamper late that gave the offense life.

Bucs OC Dave Canales and run game coordinator Harold Goodwin – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Even counting Mayfield’s runs, the 42-20 split is a seismic shift from the 34-30 pass-run split in the season opener against the Vikings. Offensive coordinator Dave Canales stated that the offense is trying harder to throw it, and it may be the best chance at getting some instant offense.

“We’re trying harder to throw the ball in certain situations,” Canales said. “He would love to have a couple of those back. The tipped interception the other week, those are going to happen. The one on Sunday right there, if he gets the ball to Rachaad [White], we get a big gain. He knows. He knows that. At the same time, Coach [Todd Bowles] has asked us to go and play the best offense we can to try and win the game. He really means that.

“For us, that means going for it. That means finding these opportunities to be able to stretch the field when we can. Being smart about that, of course, [but] trying to attack the coverages the right way. I love that. The guys love that. We have this free reign to just go and try to put our best foot forward. In the process, man I’d love to get this run game going, for sure.”

The Bucs’ best weapons on offense are wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and the offensive line has proven to be far better at pass protection than running the ball. So it’s hard to fault Canales for leaning into the team’s strengths.

Is There Any Hope For Struggling Bucs’ Offense, Running Game?

Sure, Dave Canales would love to get the running game going, but is that realistic? It was a hard truth Scott Reynolds put near the top of his list before the season in an SR’s Fab 5 column, and as the offense continues to be built with Canales’ vision, it most certainly is an aspect of the offense that is under construction.

Bucs LG Matt Feiler and LT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Work in progress, yeah,” Canales added. “No quick fixes for where we’re headed – just a lot of the same conversations. I hate to sound like a broken record, but fundamental execution… I thought the [running] backs ran harder this week – we had some opportunities there. Again, just kind of getting grooved in the system.

“But, again, still would love to be able to run the ball with consistency and do that. Maybe that’s me just being able to call more of those runs in different situations. But, yeah, definitely got to be better.”

With the run game, there is blame to go around for its woes, and a finger cannot be pointed at a single factor.

“It’s a lot of things,” left tackle Tristan Wirfs said. “Everyone just taking a turn at messing something up. The frustrating part is how hard we work on it. how much time and effort we put into it, so for it not to go [well] is really frustrating. It’s just about getting back to the details, the fundamentals, the little things, and being as crisp as we can through all of that.”

It has been frustrating, but if each player starts to take further ownership of their mistakes and is able to hold their assignments, perhaps the Bucs can get back to the balance they intended to have heading into the year. With all of the work they have put in, there is bound to be light at the end of the tunnel. The offense has no choice but to keep moving toward it.