As the Buccaneers and Baker Mayfield negotiate a long-term contract extension that would keep Mayfield in place as the franchise quarterback for years to come, the team wants to make sure Mayfield keeps himself healthy for years to come.
Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports that the Bucs are concerned that Mayfield continues to neglect his health, with nagging injuries that could be avoided coming as a result of Mayfield not getting rid of the ball, getting down or getting out of bounds.
Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles described “understanding how to get down and putting himself out of harm’s way,” as one of the things Mayfield can do to help get the Buccaneers to the Super Bowl. Mayfield has started all 17 games in all three of his seasons in Tampa Bay, but Bowles said it’s about being healthy when he plays and not having to play through aches and pains late in the season.
“No, he’s not going to miss any games, but he can take a little bit better care of himself in certain situations,” Bowles said. “I understand when he’s a yard and a half or two from a first down, but not when it’s 10 yards or eight yards from the first down when he can get up and live another day. Unless it’s fourth and 10 in Houston and the game is on the line, and I understand why he’s doing those types of things. But if we can take care of that, we’ll be fine.”
Bowles said that sliding to avoid hits when he runs the ball is an element of his game that Mayfield can improve upon.
“Getting down, he can do a little bit better job,” Bowles said. “I’m not saying all of them, but there are two or three where he’d like to have back where he can get down and not hurt himself.”
With a contract extension likely coming, the Buccaneers hope the 31-year-old Mayfield has many healthy years left in him.
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