The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have long flown under the radar, especially since Tom Brady’s exit. Despite this, they’ve dominated the NFC South, clinching titles year after year with Baker Mayfield leading the charge. The 29-year-old quarterback arrived in Tampa in 2023, fresh off stints with the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, and a short run with the Los Angeles Rams. General manager Jason Licht took a calculated risk with a one-year prove-it contract, and Mayfield delivered in spades, earning a lucrative three-year, $100 million extension.
Now heading into his third season with the team, the Buccaneers quarterback faces yet another change at offensive coordinator. This isn’t new territory for him, but apparently, it’s groundbreaking news for some analysts.
Kapadia’s Podcast Remarks Miss the Mark
On a recent episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” Kapadia aired his doubts about Mayfield’s contributions. He suggested the quarterback’s achievements stemmed from a “highly schemed offense” that avoided tight windows and favored shorter throws. Kapadia pointed to the departure of Liam Coen as a potential red flag, adding an “unknown” element to the equation.
“My concern is that was a highly schemed offense last year for Baker Mayfield where they did a great job of he didn’t have to throw into tight windows and did a lot of shorter throws,” Kapadia stated. “And they lose the guy who was their offensive coordinator in Liam Coen. Now, I’m not saying he’s Bill Walsh, sure. You could replace a guy like Liam Coen. It just adds a little unknown to me.”
While scheme matters in football, this perspective overlooks a glaring fact: Mayfield has thrived under a different offensive coordinator each season in Tampa. Far from being a liability, these changes highlight his adaptability and impact.
The Real Pattern: Mayfield Elevates Coordinators
Let’s break it down. In his first year with the Buccaneers, Dave Canales called the plays. After guiding Mayfield to success, Canales landed a head coaching gig with Carolina—just one season in. Fast forward to year two, and Coen steps in, only to parlay his time with the former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback and 2017 Heisman Trophy winner into a head coaching opportunity with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Spot the trend? It’s not the coordinators propping up Mayfield; it’s the other way around. The quarterback’s poise, arm talent, and leadership have turned Tampa into a launching pad for coaching careers. Kapadia’s take ignores this, painting a picture of dependency that doesn’t hold water.
Why This Take Exemplifies Broader Issues in Sports Media
This isn’t just about one analyst’s opinion—it’s symptomatic of a larger problem in sports coverage. The Bucs, despite consistent wins, rarely get the credit they deserve. Mayfield, in particular, has battled narratives of being a journeyman rather than a franchise cornerstone. Yet his stats and divisional dominance speak volumes.
As the NFL season approaches, expect Tampa Bay to silence doubters once more. Mayfield’s resilience isn’t scheme-dependent; it’s the foundation of Tampa’s recent success. Kapadia might want to revisit the tape before his next podcast appearance.
What do you think? Is Kapadia’s criticism fair, or does it miss the bigger picture? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned to OutOfSightSports for more takes across the sports world. 🚀 Check us out on X (formerly known as Twitter) @OOSSports
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