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Athlon Sports
Baker Mayfield & Mike Evans in 'Very Good Spot'
By Adam Schultz,
17 hours ago
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and receiver Mike Evans clicked from the outset last season as Evans totaled 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns from 79 receptions.
Now, with another full pre-season to work with each other, Baker and Evans are again hitting their stride as training camp comes to its conclusion.
But more than that, Mayfield is now more understanding of how Evans goes about his business and that has the pair in a great spot ahead of the regular season beginning.
“For Mike and I, it's the constant communication," Mayfield said . "Obviously he's going to win on a lot of his routes that's just who he is. So for me understanding and talking to him about how he's thinking he's going to win on different leverages. Obviously, with time and experience and more reps, that continues to grow, but I just think we're in a very good spot, the two of us right now."
Such is the Buccaneers' embarrassment of riches at the receiver position; Evans has been complemented well by Pro Bowler Chris Godwin, who, in Liam Coen's scheme, will be more of a slot receiver in 2024.
Godwin again surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in 2023 but only managed three touchdowns as his scoring threat wasn't what it used to be. But for Mayfield, with Godwin getting better physically as camp roles are on, he, Evans, and Godwin are all moving in the right direction.
"Obviously Chris feeling better and better about where he's at physically, Chris is an unbelievable communicator and a Pros Pro," Mayfield added. "Just constantly talking to them about hey if we get this look what are you going to do how are you going to run it and just making sure we're on the same page and yeah it's I feel really good about where we're at.”
With the Buccaneers retaining the majority of the roster that won the division and a playoff game last season, naturally, some are bullish on what Todd Bowles' side could accomplish in 2024. But for others, it starts and stops with Mayfield's ability to replicate his Pro Bowl efforts from a year ago.
If he can, then Tampa is in good shape to at least make the playoffs, but if he can't, then a difficult season could follow.
But with the chemistry with his two star receivers at an all-time high, don't sleep on Mayfield and the Buccaneers in 2024.
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