Buccaneers eyeing Mayfield-Njoku reunion to bolster playoff push and ignite Tampa Bay’s offense before trade deadline
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have kicked off the season with an impressive 3-0 record. Led by Baker Mayfield, the offense has shown promise, while the defense, under the watchful eye of head coach Todd Bowles, continues to perform at a high level. However, as is the case with any team in the NFL, there’s always room for improvement.
Pursuing the NFC South Title
Though it’s early in the season, the Buccaneers seem poised to vie for their fifth NFC South Division title. To elevate their chances of making a deeper playoff run, the team may need to consider some strategic additions before the trade deadline on November 10. One intriguing possibility has emerged, as reported by USA Today’s Nate Davis: a reunion between Mayfield and his former tight end, David Njoku.
Njoku’s Potential Impact
At 29 years old and in the final year of his contract with a base salary of $1.3 million, Njoku still possesses the ability to be a game-changing player in the right environment. However, he is currently seeing reduced playing time behind rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. with a Browns team that may soon shift into a rebuilding phase. Davis highlights the potential fit, noting, “Njoku had one of his best seasons in 2018 with then-Browns rookie QB Baker Mayfield. Why not reunite them and bring an added element to a Tampa Bay offense that can’t seem to keep its pass catchers healthy?”
During his rookie year, Njoku quickly became a reliable target for Mayfield, securing 56 receptions for 639 yards and four touchdowns. His peak season came in 2023, where he notched 81 catches for 882 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 10.9 yards per reception.
Replacing Cade Otton
Currently, Mayfield has forged a solid connection with Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton, particularly during a season marred by injuries to key receivers like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. However, Otton’s impact has waned in the early weeks of this season. In three games, he has managed just three receptions on seven targets, totaling 25 yards without finding the end zone. Notably, during Week 4’s matchup against the New York Jets, he was not targeted at all.
While there has been no official word on any injury affecting Otton’s performance, uncertainty surrounding his role could drive the Buccaneers to pursue a trade for Njoku. With their sights set on a successful season, bolstering the offensive arsenal could be a crucial step for Tampa Bay as they look to solidify their position in the competitive NFC South.
