How do the Tampa Bay Buccaneers follow up the success they acheived in 2023?
If you ask anyone in that locker room, the answer would undoubtedly center around the idea that last year is done and gone, and the team wants much more in 2024. A playoff berth was cool. Winning the division was nice. But, a 9-8 record isn't entirely something to get excited about.
A year into his stint with the Buccaneers, quarterback Baker Mayfield will need to take it up a notch as he's the catalyst for this team. If he's able to continue his career resurgence in Tampa Bay, another big year is only the tip of the iceberg for the Bucs.
Starting with a monster year out of QB1, let's look at some of the best-case scenarios for Tampa Bay in 2024.
1. Baker Mayfield doubles down on his career year
In a matter of just one year, Baker Mayfield went from a cheap, low-risk free agent signing to a potential franchise quarterback having earned a 3-year, $100 million deal from the Bucs. Mayfield threw for over 4,000 yards and tossed 28 touchdowns in his first season with Tampa Bay, and now that he's got a year under his belt, let's start thinking bigger.
In 2024, it wouldn't be out of the question to ask for even a little more out of Baker, knowing his chemistry and comfortability with the offense has grown immensely. If all goes perfectly, what if Baker gave us a line like this:
379/580 (65 percent completion)
4,397 passing yards
32 touchdowns
11 interceptions
101.4 rating
If Baker was able to finish the season with yet another career year across the board, you have to believe the Bucs are in an even better position going into the playoffs than they were a year ago.