After a disappointing season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made key changes to their offensive staff ahead of the 2026 season. At the centre of that change was the newly hired quarterback coach, who is excited to enter this new chapter with Baker Mayfield. 

Chandler Whitmer, the new quarterback coach, did not hold back in sharing his opinions about working with Mayfield while speaking to the media on May 12. 

"He's fantastic. Guy's got a hunger that you think would be from a rookie," Whitmer said. "As everybody knows, he's competitive — his moxy is what makes him special. Obviously super talented, but that's what sets him apart and you can really see it in the building, you can see it with the guys around him, who love playing for him."

Mayfield began the 2025 season as an MVP candidate but the team couldn’t find its winning streak. With Whitmer’s appointment, he will look to bring Mayfield’s 2024 form back on track.

Mayfield had a great season in 2024 after throwing over 40 touchdowns under offensive coordinator Liam Coen.

Whitmer led Indiana as their co-offensive coordinator last year. He played a key role in developing QB Fernando Mendoza, who won the Heisman award and led the Hoosiers to a national championship.

With the Buccaneers, he will look to strengthen the squad and help Mayfield bounce back next season. 

New Coaching Staff To Improve Mayfield's Game

The Buccaneers have brought in several familiar faces around Baker Mayfield ahead of the new season. Among them is offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.

Robinson briefly worked with Mayfield during his short stint with the Los Angeles Rams, after his waivers were claimed off from Carolina in 2022. 

Other than Robinson, Tampa Bay also added senior offensive assistant and pass game specialist Ken Zampese.

He served as Mayfield’s quarterbacks coach during his rookie campaign in Cleveland, along with passing game coordinator T.J. Yates.

“Baker is kind of one of the last in a dying breed of those competitive alpha quarterbacks,” Yates said. “There are a lot of guys across the league who are just a little more softly mannered. A little more mildly mannered. It’s just the way of social media and the sensitivity that goes with that younger generation."

Mayfield's form was productive during his first three years in Tampa Bay, but his numbers got down a bit last season. The quarterback threw for 3,693 yards with 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

The Buccaneers struggled to maintain momentum after a strong start to the year.

Although they opened their campaign with a 6-2 record, they went on to lose seven of their last nine games and missed the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.

With the new staff, the Buccaneers and Mayfield will look to capitalize on the experience and continue their past momentum.

Read more at Quarter Back Central!

Written by

Evince Das

Edited by

Rishab Nandi