In 2025, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the first team in NFL history with four wins by three-or-fewer points in their first five games of the season. Tampa Bay also has four come-from-behind wins after trailing inside the two-minute warning – the most in the first five games of a season over the last 45 years. Tight end Cade Otton attributes the team's success late in games to the poise of its signal-caller, Baker Mayfield.
"I think a huge part is obviously No. 6 having the ball and just having command of the offense and I was thinking about this and I don't think people realize how big of a deal it is to be past the first year in a system," said Otton. "Over the course of Baker's career, obviously having so many different coordinators and having a little bit more continuity this season, we all trust him and he knows it is the right look inside and out and we feel like he is going to get us in the right spots."
Mayfield brings the same intensity to practice in the scripted situational, two-minute drills that he does when the live bullets are flying on Sundays. Against Seattle in Week Five, the Bucs once again emerged victorious with a nail-biting 38-35 victory as Chase McLaughlin kicked a 39-yard field goal as time expired. Throughout the game, Otton made an impact both as a blocker and as a pass-catcher. On Rachaad White's seven-yard touchdown run in the second frame, Otton pulled out in front along with Tristan Wirfs to seal off the run lane. He totaled four receptions for 81 yards against Seattle, matching his second-highest regular season receiving total in a single game, trailing only his career high 100 receiving yards in 2024 against Baltimore.
Right out of the gate, Mayfield targeted Otton to move the chains. On the first offensive possession, Mayfield hit Otton on a flag route for a gain of 28 yards and then again over the middle of the field for a gain of 12 yards. Otton took advantage of the coverage void and helped build momentum for Tampa Bay at Lumen Field.
"I just enjoy playing football whether it's blocking, in-line or on the edge or whatever it is," noted Otton. "If I get the ball, that is great but if I don't and we win, I'll take it."
The selfless player played an integral role in 2024 following injuries to both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. He emerged as Mayfield's primary target during the middle of the season. In the trio of contests following the loss to the Baltimore Ravens via Monday Night Football in which Evans and Godwin Jr. sustained their ailments, Otton tallied an absurd 25 catches, 258 yards and three touchdowns. He helped replace their production by expanding his route-running assignments. Otton ran a tree of routes that usually fell in Godwin's domain, including out-breakers, corners, wheels and options that included two-way go's. Through Week Eight last season, Otton ranked third in the NFL in receptions among tight ends (36), sixth in receiving yards (344), and tied for fourth in touchdown catches (3). With injuries to both Evans (hamstring) and Godwin (fibula) again in 2025, Otton will likely become the team's X-factor once again between the hashes.
