Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians never got the chance to coach Baker Mayfield, but he’s taken it upon himself to offer some coaching from afar.
Arians, once nicknamed “The Quarterback Whisperer,” is football royalty in Tampa Bay after helping change the culture of a losing franchise and coaching the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title during the 2020 season.
Arians maintains close ties to the organization through his relationships with Jason Licht and Todd Bowles, and he’s been watching the Buccaneers intently. The offensive guru diagnosed some of the issues that have plagued Mayfield amid his dreadful start to the season en route to the team’s 0-3 record.
Bruce Arians has some advice for Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield
Arians appeared on Up & Adams and was asked what’s not clicking with Mayfield and the offense.
"Just throw the damn ball away... we need you on the field"
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) September 28, 2026
Bruce Arians what he would say to QB Baker Mayfield 🏈@BruceArians | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/pyDXWglb21
“Not making the plays that were there. There are times where they’re there and they’re not making them. The offensive line is one of the best in the league, and he’s got to quit doing this. Just throw the damn ball away. And that’s not his nature, but this is how he always gets hurt. I haven’t had that conversation with him personally but we need you on the field.”
Arians went on to share a funny story about his first time meeting Mayfield and telling him if he continues to run the ball so aggressively, they’re going to have to get him a bigger pair of shoulder pads. Arians also acknowledged there’s a fine line in asking a quarterback to play safer, because you don’t want to coach out of them the play style that sets them apart.
Mayfield should heed Arians’ advice. Mayfield battled through multiple injuries last season and over the course of his career, and his physical, if not reckless, play style has contributed to some of that wear and tear.
Sometimes, he doesn’t need to wear the superhero cape. He just needs to protect the football (and himself), and operate within the structure of the offense. He needs to make the plays that are there to be made and stop missing the layups.
Arians knows a thing or two about quarterbacks, and his advice for Mayfield is exactly the kind of input that he needs to hear. When Mayfield returns from his dislocated thumb later this season, he needs to rein himself in and play smarter.
The Buccaneers have lofty expectations for Mayfield after signing him to the largest contract in franchise history. If he wants to live up to those expectations, he’ll need to put the disastrous start behind him and start playing like the franchise quarterback Tampa Bay believes he can be.
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