“That Could Scare A Lot Of Quarterbacks Off”
May 17th, 2025
Baker Mayfield
Bucs officials don’t have to worry about how their franchise quarterback will handle a potentially catastrophic situation.
No, Joe isn’t referring to hurricanes or the 2024 Bucs pass defense.
Mike Evans and Chris Godwin each suffering significant injuries against the Ravens in a home loss last season was a crushing blow. The Bucs’ record fell to 4-3 and the season outlook appeared dark.
Yeah, Tampa Bay lost its next three games, but the offense hung in admirably without its stud receivers.
Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht joined the Green Light podcast and noted how Bucs coaches did a fantastic job scheming in the absence of Evans and Godwin. Licht pointed to receivers Sterling Shepard, Ryan Miller and Jalen McMillan all stepping up along with tight end Cade Otton.
But Licht saved his greatest praise for Baker Mayfield.
“For Baker to handle it all the way he did, that could scare a lot of quarterbacks off, spook them into saying, ‘Sheez, I’m down two elite receivers; what am I going to do?'” Licht said. “But he had the confidence to get through it. And he’s a phenomenal leader, and everybody just kind of followed his lead.”
Joe was extremely impressed by Mayfield at times during that stretch without Evans and Godwin. Consider that when the Bucs drove in the fourth quarter to tie the Chiefs in Kansas City with 27 seconds remaining (Todd Bowles did not go for two), the completions on that 71-yard drive were three to Shepard, two to Trey Palmer and one each to Otton and Miller.
Enough said.
May 17th, 2025 at 7:49 pm
It’s gonna be good year! Thanks Joes!
May 17th, 2025 at 8:33 pm
It was so freaking obvious to go for two. The moment we decided to go conservative, I said to myself it’s a wrap. Some coaches out coach themselves. Todd Bowles tends to out coach himself at a high clip. That was probably the MOST ridiculous decision of the season. Well…aside from the jet sweep in the playoffs. Both had me gagging in disgust!
May 17th, 2025 at 8:48 pm
I first started here coming in a couple years ago and I was all about how lucky the Bucs were to have Baker. Anybody that doesn’t appreciate him is not a Bucs fan. He’s everything you want your quarterback to be. And by the way when it comes to his next contract, he’s not going anywhere the Bucs know a good thing when they see it and Baker knows a good thing when he sees it -he certainly has seen a lot. Go Bucs!
May 17th, 2025 at 9:17 pm
Following the Bucs drafting of EE in the 1st round – much was said about how we lost 4 games in a row after Mike and Chris were injured (really just 3 because Godwin’s injury happened the last play in what was already a loss to Baltimore) – so that was supposedly a big reason why we needed another high end receiver…..
But I distinctly remember the praise during that time frame of how well the Bucs offense had adjusted to losing our 2 best receivers…. – scoring 31, 26. 24 and 20 points against mostly good teams in those 4 losses….
The bigger problem though was that the defense gave up 41, 31, 30 and 23 points in those 4 games.
Just pointing out there was a bit of history revision going on with the implication that we lost all those games because ME and CG were not on the field. The offense actually did pretty well in all of those games.
If the defense had been decent enough to hold those 3 good teams (+ Atlanta) to 22 points (season average was 22.64 ppg) – we would have WON 3 of those 4 games….
Just sayin….
Even when Mike and Chris were unavailable – offense was not really the problem last year….
May 17th, 2025 at 9:26 pm
Baker is value incarnate on a football field.
Joe is right to praise what Baker did in that drive against the Chiefs. But, he did that with:
Sterling Shepherd – second round
Jalen McMillan – third round
Cade Otton – fourth round
Ryan Miller – UDFA
That seems to argue that taking a WR in the first round was overkill.
Can Joe confirm or deny reports from Houston that the Texans were trying to trade their pick #25 to take Egbuka?
And, can Joe say what the Texans were offering?
By the trade value charts, for the #19 pick from the Bucs, the Texans should have been offering the #25 pick plus a third round pick and a sixth round pick.
I hope that Egbuka has a great career with the Bucs. But, is he a third round and a sixth round pick better than every receiver taken after him? Let’s all hope so.
May 17th, 2025 at 9:44 pm
If the defense is allowing opponents to drive the length of the field every drive in 2025 and he has a chance to win it on one last play, I hope he learned from last year’s failures.
May 17th, 2025 at 9:53 pm
I have the impression that Egbuka is regarded as as close to a “sure thing” as you can get. He will be at least a number two receiver for us eventually if not number one. Who knows when we will have a chance to draft someone like Mike Evans ever again.
May 17th, 2025 at 10:03 pm
If BA had Baker in 2019, the team would’ve made the playoffs.
May 17th, 2025 at 10:14 pm
If we don’t win, it’s unlikely Baker Mayfield…..usually defensive or coaching breakdowns….we are in good hands…
May 17th, 2025 at 10:37 pm
Interns or not, think you meant “sheez, I’m down to elite receivers”. Grammarly is everywhere.
Important for the establishment here to stay tip top shape. As much as possible as often as possible.
And with regard to those guys going down last year, schedule, and a few other division poor factors worked in our favor too during their absence, and our QB did play well.
May 17th, 2025 at 10:38 pm
Sure. *Two elite receivers. Auto correct, likely everywhere wrong.
May 17th, 2025 at 11:30 pm
Yes, yes, I remember it as if it were yesterday 🤔 I believe it was munch and onei who proudly said Baker was only good because of the 2 receivers, Evans and Godwin, he had to throw to. But then he didn’t… and still ended the season with the 3rd best offense in the league. Wrong again guys, as usual.
May 18th, 2025 at 1:59 am
One player that’s not getting any love who I think will be a big part of this offense and that’s Devin Culp LFG
May 18th, 2025 at 3:52 am
I agree “Swissbuc, I am excited for the growth of Culp after him capitalizing on the few opportunities he got in those last couple game’s. I think he has a bright future. Only problem is he’s no. 3 on the depth chart but the same is said about payne Durham. He’s got some upside as well. So I’d have to say that we are pretty deep at TE and will be Set at that position for a while it looks like
May 18th, 2025 at 4:20 am
Don’t care about all this talk do it in the playoffs put your offense on your back and will us to the NFC Championship this year. Stop choking in big moments the Chiefs were winning 12 and 13″games and winning their division with Alex Smith as their quarterback but never could get over the hump with him . Then they made a good decision to move up in the draft and get Mahomes and the rest was history. And don’t tell me that that’s Mahomes because it was a rule that you don’t draft Texas Tech quarterbacks . In fact everyone in the media said that was a pick at the time because you could have gotten him in the third or fourth round. Alex Smith was doing the same thing Baker Mayfield was doing going to pro bowls and getting knocked out of the playoffs the first and second round. Joe or no body can sale Baker Mayfield or any other player or coach to me like he’s doing to most of y’all on here. I want super bowls not just making the playoffs and losing in the first or second round. I can care less about barley winning a trash division that you should be dominating. That’s not good enough for me. My takes ain’t for Cleveland browns fans or fans that’s happy just making the playoffs. So I’m not talking to none of y’all who I just mentioned. My takes are for the fans that wants Superbowls .
May 18th, 2025 at 4:24 am
A bad pick at the time
May 18th, 2025 at 6:01 am
“Stop choking in big moments”
Says a guy who was a huge fanboi of the biggest choker the Bucs have wasted a draft pick on. A guy who choked OFF the field as well as on it!!!
Yeah let’s waste a #1 overall pick on Fameis! Then lets watch how he destroys us when he goes to N.O. We’re still waiting on those predictions to come true!
May 18th, 2025 at 6:03 am
The passing game wasnt a problem last season.
You cant always count on outscoring your opponent. You have to be able to stop some of them. In a few close games the bucs couldnt get the stops. for whatever reason.
but yet, first round, they pick a receiver. cause culture. slurp slurp
May 18th, 2025 at 7:25 am
It’s gonna be good year! Thanks Joes! YEs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 18th, 2025 at 8:13 am
I bet $275 to make $4,675 on Hard Rock Bets.
I “thought” my bet was to win the division, but instead it was to win the conference. Makes sense why the payout was so much.
That said, I’m feeling better and better about the bet!
If (when) we win the conference, should JBF ever decide to have a gathering of Bucs nut-jobs like me at a bar somewhere, I promise I’ll be benevolent with the drinks!
Cheers to “CHEERS!”
May 18th, 2025 at 8:15 am
Oniel u r the choker joker of posters
May 18th, 2025 at 8:33 am
Stpet. One thing about Jamies he didn’t have what Baker have right now and you know it . Jamies didn’t have a good running game, o line, receivers or even defense that Baker Mayfield has. And not to mention he was asked to throw 45 to 50 times a game every week throwing the ball up the field. Baker Mayfield throws the ball 28 to 35 times a game . Baker Mayfield is ranked second in passes under 10 yards that’s a big difference. Oh yeah when Jamies was here back then most people on this site didn’t care about the running game the o line or the defense remember? Jamies won 9 games with a 26 ranked defense and no running game. And now y’all care about the running game and defense lol 🤣🤣. Oh by the way Jamies played in a much better conference than what Baker is playing in. Baker Mayfield wouldn’t have done nothing if our conference was like it was back then. We wouldn’t have made to the playoffs Brady last year and both years with Baker and that’s fact with those records. Jamies first 2 years the Panthers was 15-1 and they went to the Superbowl and then next year the 9-7 the falcons went to the Superbowl and both of those teams had MVP quarterbacks. And now we the weakest quarterbacks in all the division in the NFL and we still can’t dominate the division. NFC Championship or bust no more excuses Baker Mayfield has everything now and plus he’s 30 years old now so just like waiting for Jamies I’m waiting for Baker Mayfield to get to a conference championship game!!! Lol 🤣
May 18th, 2025 at 8:41 am
Baker bucs. Why are you here your team has Shadure Sanders who’s going to be a good quarterback in my opinion. I guess when they start winning you will be back over there acting like you always loved the browns !! 😂😂
May 18th, 2025 at 9:13 am
Another Bowles Blunder
May 18th, 2025 at 11:17 am
Let’s think about this from a logical standpoint. In 2022, Brady saw the writing on the wall and retired. In 2023, we were supposed to win 4 games, Baker willed us to 9. In 2024 we had a lot of injuries. But we still beat the superbowl champs and tied but should have beat the superbowl runner up. So, logically speaking, if we stay healthy this is our year. You can’t win superbowls without a good defense, no matter how you act or how hard you wish. Gotta have a good defense.
May 18th, 2025 at 11:25 am
O’Neiil
Can’t match your OPINION let’s see you try and match my FACTS.
After 10 years JW is 36-51. After 7 years Baker is 50-53.
Let me explain…after just seven years Baker has won 14 more games than Jameis has in 10 years!!!
It’s even WORSE if you simply compare their Buc’s records!!!
Jameis Bucs record 28-42!!! Baker’s Bucs record 19-15! One a winner the other a loser. What do the numbers say,
As to believing that Baker has more talent to play with than Fameis that’s absurd! Fameis left and the very next year the TALENT won a SuperBowl.
Does anybody really compare the Jameis Defenses to what has transpired during the post SB hangover for the Defense? Seriously O’Neill you’re going to compare the Bucs talent of the past two seasons with the talent that won the SB?
May 18th, 2025 at 12:21 pm
Baker is an above average QB at best. The TD’s are balanced by the int’s.
He puts you in position to win more than losing, and losses about 25% due to mistakes. Especially in the playoffs.
Now if he had a HC\DC that had more brains than the scarecrow on wizard of Oz perhaps the results would be better.
Settling for the worthless NFC South crown shouldn’t be enough.
But that is in fact Bowles SB as a HC.
May 18th, 2025 at 12:40 pm
Oneilbuc, you might not realize this, but the coach of the Chiefs might have a slight edge over Todd Bowles, which could account for at least a little bit of KC’s success.
May 18th, 2025 at 3:45 pm
Baker Mayfield interceptions last 2 year average 13
Patrick Mahomes. 12.5
Is it a big deal?
May 18th, 2025 at 3:54 pm
There is a lot of things about KC that gives them an edge, a lot but it sure isn’t their qb. He is just a recipient of that edge. This is a good example of how an organization can make or break a quarterback. Deshawn Watson was a top 5 quarterback before Cleveland. After Cleveland he’s a 32nd quarterback. It matters.
May 18th, 2025 at 5:15 pm
Weak mind onei & munch, 105.9 vs 92.5!!!
105.9 is Bakers playoff passer rating for his career. He is ranked #1 above all the other great quarterbacks.
92.5 is the average of all the great quarterbacks current and back to the 1980’s.
You know you and your fellow haters loath it when you see these numbers. Well from now on when you are driving down the road looking for a good song on the radio you will be reminded just how elite Baker really is. FM 105.9 and 92.5. Enjoy!!! every time you listen to the radio!!!
Baker, Baker head coach maker 😢 LMAO
May 18th, 2025 at 6:23 pm
Oneilbuc claims Jaymiss never had a running game. For the most part true. In his rookie year The Mally Hamster Dan for 1402 yards and had the last great year of his career.
May 18th, 2025 at 6:30 pm
Stepe. Let’s compare who had the better team with facts Jamies had a running game that took 3 years to get a runningback to rush for a 100 yards in one game. Jamies had one year with his defense was ranked 26 and his running game was ranked 32 and all at same time our offense was ranked top 5 every year he was here. Then you said the next year they won a Superbowl with the same team right? But you didn’t mention that they actually drafted a offensive lineman in the first round and he is all pro. Then they added 2 hall of famers and a pro bowl runningback to the roster. That’s not the same team and Brady actually a hall of famer as well. Then I remember in 2019 when Jamies didn’t have Mike Evans or Chris Godwin on the field . You tell me the receivers he was playing with in those games? I also remember that trash out dated offense no risky no biscuits offense that’s a high risk in turning over the ball was changed once Brady had 12 picks. But he never changed it with Jamies Winston. So let’s compare the runningbacks . Fournett vs Payton Barber. AB vs Adam Humphrey . Gronk vs number 84 his name always slips my mind. Damar Dotson vs Tristan Wirst. That’s the reason why we won in 2020 and not to mention it was a covid year so you had a lot of players that opted out but I’m still taking my Superbowl regardless. That’s not the same team Jamies had . And now when you look at 2022 once AB and Gronk left Brady looked bad . I would even say Baker Mayfield was better than a 2022 Brady. Now that’s why we won in 2020 .
May 18th, 2025 at 6:55 pm
Stepe. I can have a real conversation like this and understand me with the Baker Mayfield situation. I don’t want to be in the Cowboys situation with Dak and Rome with a good team around them good enough to get to the playoffs but not good enough to get to a conference championship or Superbowl. The cowboys wasted those players prime years with quarterbacks that was just good enough to make it to the playoffs and lose in the first or second round. So that’s why I’m saying that about Baker Mayfield!!
May 18th, 2025 at 10:08 pm
A TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS HISTORY LESSON.
2023, all experts agree Tampa will win 4 games after Bradys retirement. Baker willed it to 9, 5 additional games.
2024, the second year, the experts agree Tampa wins 7 games but key players are hurt but still he wills it to 10 games, an extra 3 games.
2025, experts agree 10 wins. If history stays on course he will see us win 14 games. If they stay healthy, they easily win 15 and with a little luck it would be 16 and we all know what that would mean.
You few acting like it’s just not happening along a normal time-line are showing either your ignorance about the game or your hate for your quarterback. Either way, stop with the childish imudence and just let this year play out like an adult, d***.
May 19th, 2025 at 8:19 am
Onielbuc…mahomes is regressing. It happens to all QBs who rely on athletic ability. Baker is only getting better with age. But injuries happen. I dont have much faith in Kyle. In would pick up a QB after last cut day for the practice squad.