New Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen won’t be as comfortable as quarterback Baker Mayfield and huge receiver Mike Evans lately, however he’s most likely an in depth second.
Mayfield re-signed with Tampa Bay on a three-year deal price $100 million, whereas Evans was re-signed to a two-year deal price $41 million. Each Professional Bowlers opted to stay with the Bucs moderately than take a look at free company – and Coen is mighty grateful to have them again within the fold.
Coen joined the Bucs to interchange Dave Canales with the hope that Mayfield can be his offense’s set off man and that Evans would as soon as once more be the highest goal within the passing sport. However each have been slated to grow to be free brokers and nothing was assured.
So Coen was overjoyed to listen to that Mayfield and Evans can be suiting up in purple and pewter as soon as once more – and play in his offense.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and WR Mike Evans – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
“It was onerous to ascertain this factor with out these guys, particularly getting a real X receiver, any individual that may demand a lot from the protection,” Coen mentioned. “And the familiarity with Baker – not simply the familiarity, however the talent set. I do know that we will push the ball down the sphere, that we will throw the soccer and make choices on the line of scrimmage which are going to be advantageous for us to get into the proper performs. That was big.”
It’s been well-documented how Mayfield and Coen know one another from their time along with the Rams during the last 5 weeks of the 2022 season. Working with Mayfield once more was one of many engaging issues that made Coen wish to depart his put up because the offensive coordinator on the College of Kentucky to tackle the play-caller duties in Tampa Bay.
“I used to be speaking to Sean McVay this weekend after we have been getting this factor completed (Mayfield’s extension) and he mentioned, ‘Man, Baker made soccer enjoyable once more for us at a time the place – and in a company the place we weren’t used to struggling,” Coen mentioned.
“Baker got here in and lit the hearth below all of us. He made soccer enjoyable and he made follow enjoyable. He made follow aggressive. There was an enormous familiarity there which you can’t underestimate.”
Rams QB Baker Mayfield and OC Liam Coen – Photograph by: USA Immediately
How precisely did Mayfield make soccer enjoyable in Los Angeles because the 2022 Rams handled a number of key accidents and a post-Tremendous Bowl hangover en path to a disappointing 5-12 season?
“The bravado, the follow habits, the research habits, the best way that he competed, the best way he would carry himself,” Coen recalled about their days collectively in L.A. “He’s on the market jawing with [Los Angeles Rams cornerback] Jalen Ramsey and the fellows. And in video games, he simply has a manner about him.
“He’s an igniter. He’s an igniter, and other people have a tendency to love to be round these sorts of folks.”
Liam Coen Was In a position To Be There For Baker Mayfield’s Massive Second
The Bucs’ new offensive coordinator wasn’t planning on celebrating the information of Baker Mayfield’s contract extension with him, but it surely simply sort of occurred to work out that manner.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and spouse Emily – Photograph by: USA Immediately
“So it’s humorous, I used to be planning on all day – Jason [Licht] had talked about Salt Shack being place to go to within the evenings and to seize a chunk to eat,” Coen mentioned. “At 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, I used to be planning on going. I used to be choosing up Brian Picucci, our assistant offensive line coach, to go over there, and Baker known as me. ‘Hey, we’re doing this! Let’s go!”
“I’m simply screaming. I’m within the mall – fairly excited. And I used to be like, ‘What are you doing?’ He mentioned, ‘I’m over at Salt Shack with Tristan [Wirfs].’ So I ended up assembly these guys over there and having a chunk to eat. It was nice to see him and Emily [Mayfield] and their pleasure.”
Mayfield was thrilled that Coen might be a part of the occasion and assist have fun his return to Tampa Bay with a profitable new deal.
“It was surreal, sitting there at lunch with Emily, Tristan and Meredith [Sutton, Wirfs’ girlfriend] – I imply a few of our closest mates, clearly,” Mayfield mentioned. “Simply to have that reduction, after which name Liam, and he’s like, ‘Properly I’m already on my manner.’ It’s the neighborhood really feel – it’s an enormous a part of that. We celebrated in there. Some folks mentioned, ‘Congrats!’ as a result of it simply popped up on the [ESPN] ticker. But it surely was superior – to have the ability to look out on the water. That’s the explanation that makes this place so particular. All people desires to be exterior collectively and benefit from the climate.”
Mayfield and Wirfs will each grow to be first-time fathers later this month. Wirfs and his girlfriend Meredith expect a child boy, whereas the Mayfields expect a child lady.
Bucs OC Liam Coen – Photograph by: Matt Matera/PR
First-time fatherhood and the power to plant some roots in Tampa and construct a house are among the issues on Mayfield’s docket personally this offseason. Professionally, he’s excited to play in an identical, acquainted offense and to work with Coen once more – this time with the Bucs. Mayfield loves Coen’s teaching slogan: gamers, not performs.
“You take a look at what he’s completed in his teaching profession and the fellows they actually spotlight of their schemes and attempt to get open to do all that,” Mayfield mentioned. “That’s what he means about that. We’ve got nice gamers right here. So he’s going to attempt to format issues to get them the ball in distinctive conditions and ask them to do the issues they’re actually good at and construct that from there.
“He’s a man that understands that. A few of the old skool coaches assume ‘It’s my manner or the freeway’ in the case of X’s and O’s. However in actuality, if we get the ball to a few of these guys’ arms good issues are going to occur regardless.”
And the Bucs offense appears to be in good arms with Liam Coen on the helm.
