Baker Mayfield

Thursday's worst kept secret is now (basically) official. FOX's Jordan Schultz reports the Jags are "so impressed" with Coen the sides will now "collaborate on the team's new GM as well." If that seems insane, it was clear it would be the outcome after the Jags' stunning Trent Baalke about-face and immediate resumption of talks with Coen. A wizard with Baker Mayfield in Tampa this season -- though, let's be real, Mayfield deserves a lot of the credit after getting back-to-back OCs head-coaching gigs -- Coen is strangely no stranger to coaching intrigue, as he left the University of Kentucky for the Rams in 2022 only to return to UK in 2023. It was then off to Tampa where he picked up where Dave Canales left off, overseeing an even more explosive offense. Still only 39 years old, Coen fits the league's current preferred mold of first-time head-coaching hires. Young, and an offensive play-caller. We'll see about Coen's leadership skills. The supposed skullduggery he engaged in with the Bucs this week is mildly concerning. Tasks 1, 2 and 3 for Coen in 2025 will be getting Trevor Lawrence's career back on the right track.

It's quite the turn of events, as Coen was widely expected to take the Jaguars head coaching job after Ben Johnson was signed by the Bears. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Coen's new deal with Tampa will make him one of the NFL's highest paid coordinators. Coen's offense finished the 2024 season with the league's fifth highest EPA per play and the third highest offensive success rate, trailing only Johnson's Lions and the Lamar Jackson-led Ravens. Baker Mayfield thrived in Coen's system, throwing for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns in 2024. The Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud reports there "is no coach in waiting stipulation in his new contract similar to what the Patriots did with Jerod Mayo." Coen remaining in Tampa is a big blow to Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville offense. Former Jets head coach Robert Saleh would seem to be the favorite to land the Jags head coaching job with Coen out of the picture.

Coen clearly made a good impression in his first interview with the Jaguars and will now have a chance to sit down with them in person. The 39-year-old offensive coordinator shined in his first season with the Buccaneers, as his offense finished in the top five in both points and yards per game, while Baker Mayfield turned in his best season as a pro (4500-41-16) in his seven years as a pro. Coen has at least two more finalists to compete with in Robert Saleh and current Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, but he could be exactly what Trevor Lawrence needs to turn things around after a disappointing 2024.

With week two of the 2023 NFL season almost finished, Dave Helman sits down to break down why he believes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Washington Commanders are among the most surprising teams in the NFL. Within the conversation, Helman makes sure to point out the performances of players like Baker Mayfield, Bijan Robinson, and Sam Howell.

Mayfield signed a three-year, $100 million deal with the Buccaneers last offseason, while Geno Smith signed a three-year, $75 million contract prior to the 2023 season. While watching Darnold destruct against the Rams last night was horrifying, he definitely waltzes into the offseason as the best quarterback available in free agency. If the Vikings can retain him on a contract similar to Mayfield's, perhaps one that only carries some guarantees in 2026 as the team figures out what the J.J. McCarthy looks like, that'd probably be better for the organization than relying purely on a quarterback who couldn't practice with the team all season because of injury.